PLoS One. 2026 Feb 23;21(2):e0342704. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342704. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] promotes atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability through pro-inflammatory and thrombogenic pathways, while the CatLet© angiographic score quantifies coronary lesion complexity. We hypothesized that their integration would improve prognostication in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (ePCI).
METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, 307 AMI patients undergoing successful ePCI (2020-2022) were stratified by 1-year major adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Serum Lp(a) and troponin I were measured post-admission. CatLet© and Gensini scores were assessed by blinded analysts. Multivariable logistic regression and ROC analyses evaluated predictive performance.
RESULTS: MACCE patients (n = 78) exhibited higher Lp(a) (135.99 ± 33.07vs. 123.35 ± 42.70nmol/L, P = 0.0178) and CatLet© scores (33.58 ± 9.04vs. 30.80 ± 8.24, P = 0.0012) versus controls. Lp(a) (OR=2.339,95%CI:1.519-3.603, P < 0.001) and CatLet© score (OR=1.092, 95%CI:1.027-1.161, P = 0.005) independently predicted MACCE. The combined model Lp(a)≥70.70 nmol/L + CatLet© ≥ 18.6) significantly outperformed individual markers (AUC 0.862 [95%CI:0.83-0.96] vs. 0.780/0.833; DeLong's test confirmed the superiority of the combined model over individual predictors (P = 0.0089, Z = 2.64 vs. Lp(a); P = 0.034, Z = 2.12 vs. CatLet© score), with 88% sensitivity and 83% specificity.
CONCLUSIONS: The Lp(a)-CatLet© synergy enhances MACCE risk stratification in ePCI-treated AMI, reflecting complementary pathobiological (Lp(a)-driven plaque vulnerability) and anatomical (CatLet©-quantified complexity) pathways. This dual-parameter approach could support post-PCI risk stratification and follow-up planning.
PMID:41729960 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0342704