Can Glypican-6 Levels Be Used to Determine Right Ventricular Remodeling After Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction?

OBJECTIVE
Myocardial infarction is associated with right ventricular (RV) remodeling. Glypican-6 (GPC6), a member of the membrane proteoglycan family, plays a significant role in cardiac remodeling. This study aims to determine if GPC6 can predict RV remodeling after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).


METHODS
The study enrolled 164 consecutive patients with NSTEMI and controls. It compared baseline plasma GPC6 levels, echocardiography, and laboratory parameters between the RV remodeling and non-RV remodeling groups with NSTEMI. Echocardiographic data were measured at baseline and at six months.


RESULTS
GPC6 levels were higher in the NSTEMI group 11.06 ng/mL (4.61-18.17) vs. 5.98 ng/mL (3.81-9.83) compared to the control group in the initial phase. RV remodeling, defined as a ≥ 20% increase in RV end-diastolic area (RV EDA), was observed in 23 patients (30%). After six months, RV EDA increased significantly from baseline 18.68 ± 1.20 cm2 vs. 24.91 ± 1.08 cm2, P < 0.001. GPC6 was a significant independent predictor of RV remodeling (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.546, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.056-2.245, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses showed that GPC6 values > 15.5 ng/mL (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.828, sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 74%, P < 0.001) were strong predictors of RV remodeling.


CONCLUSION
NSTEMI patients should be closely monitored for RV remodeling. GPC6 appears useful in detecting RV remodeling following NSTEMI in patients undergoing PCI.