Summary

The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a recently identified member of the pentraxin protein family that includes C-reactive protein. PTX3 is produced by the major cell types involved in atherosclerotic lesions in response to inflammatory stimuli, and elevated plasma levels are found in several conditions including acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to assess the value of PTX3 as a prognostic marker of mortality and recurrent ischaemic events in a consecutive series of patients admitted with acute chest pain and potential ACS. The patients received follow-up for 24 months. Blood samples were taken on admission for measurement of PTX3, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and troponin T. All-cause mortality at 24 months in the study cohort was 15.2%. Patients in the upper PTX3 quartiles had a significantly higher death risk than those in the lowest quartile (Q3: hazard ratio [HR] 2.36; 95% CI 1.12–4.99; p=0.024, and Q4: HR 3.60; 95% CI 1.68–7.72; p=0.001). Elevated BNP levels were also significantly associated with a fatal outcome (Q3: HR 3.05; 95% CI 1.16–7.99; p=0.024; and Q4: HR 3.90; 95% CI 1.48–10.26; p=0.006). Elevation in hsCRP was not associated with increased death risk. As PTX3 predicted mortality independently of BNP, the combination of these two biomarkers showed an incremental prognostic value. PTX3 is a new biomarker related to inflammation that, independently of BNP, strongly predicts long-term all-cause mortality in patients with acute chest pain. The combination of these two biomarkers enhances the prognostic value over either marker alone.