Elevated levels of platelet–monocyte aggregates and related circulating biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Aims To investigate whether patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) possessed high levels of platelet–monocyte aggregates (PMAs) and related circulating biomarkers. Methods 74 ACS patients, 58 stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients and 46 control patients without coronary artery disease were selected and their PMAs were measured by flow cytometry. Their plasma IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, soluble CD40L and soluble P-selectin were also measured simultaneously by flow cytometry. Results Patients with ACS exhibited higher level of PMAs compared with SAP patients and the control. Furthermore, the levels of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, soluble CD40L, soluble P-selectin and CRP were also significantly higher in ACS patients than in SAP patients and the control group. However, there were no significant difference in the levels of IL-8, sCD40L, sP-selectin and CRP between SAP patients and the control group. Correlation analysis showed that high levels of IL-6 and sP-selectin were significantly correlated with PMAs. Logistic analysis further demonstrated that the presence of elevated CRP, IL-6 and PMAs level each confers an increased risk of ACS. Conclusion Elevated levels of PMAs and related circulating biomarkers might indicate the unstable coronary syndrome in ACS patients, and the levels of PMAs, CRP and IL-6 could be used for monitoring and guiding the early intervention of ACS patients.