Differences in biomarker concentrations and predictions of long-term outcome in patients with ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Differences in biomarkers reflective of pathobiology and prognosis between ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are incompletely understood and may offer insights for tailoring of treatment. Methods: This registry-based study included 538 STEMI and 544 NSTEMI patients admitted 2008-2014. Blood samples were collected day 1-3 after admission and 175 biomarkers were analyzed using Proximity Extension Assay and Multiple Reaction Monitoring mass spectrometry. Adjusted Lasso analysis (penalized logistic regression model) was used to select biomarkers that discriminated STEMI from NSTEMI patients. Biomarkers identified by the Lasso analysis were then evaluated in adjusted Cox regressions for associations with death or major adverse cardiovascular events. Results: Biomarkers strongly discriminated STEMI and NSTEMI when considered simultaneously in adjusted Lasso analysis (c-statistic 0.764). Eleven biomarkers independently discriminated STEMI and NSTEMI; seven showing higher concentrations in STEMI: myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, serum amyloid A-1 and A-2 protein, ST2 protein, interleukin-6 and chitinase-3-like protein 1; and four showing higher concentrations in NSTEMI: fibroblast growth factor 23, membrane-bound aminopeptidase P, tumor necrosis factorrelated activation-induced cytokine and apolipoprotein C-I. During up to 6.6 years of prognostic follow-up, none of these biomarkers exhibited different associations with adverse outcome between STEMI and NSTEMI. Conclusions: In the acute setting, biomarkers indicated greater myocardial dysfunction and inflammation in STEMI, whereas they displayed a more diverse pathophysiologic pattern in NSTEMI patients. These biomarkers were similarly prognostic in STEMI and NSTEMI patients. The results do not support treating STEMI and NSTEMI patients differently based on the concentrations of these biomarkers.

Automated summary

The study identified biomarkers that could differentiate between STEMI and NSTEMI patients, indicating greater myocardial dysfunction and inflammation in STEMI. However, these biomarkers showed similar prognostic value in both types of myocardial infarction, suggesting that treatment strategies based on biomarker concentrations may not need to differ between STEMI and NSTEMI patients.