Objective The serum cholinesterase (ChE) level has been used for the evaluation of the nutritional status in daily practice. It has been reported that the serum ChE level is significantly more elevated in patients with three-vessel coronary disease than in normal subjects. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of serum ChE levels in patients suspected of having stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The relationship between myocardial ischemia and the serum ChE levels was evaluated in 559 consecutive patients suspected of having stable CAD without a history of cardiovascular disease admitted to our hospitals to undergo coronary angiography. Results This study revealed that, in patients suspected of having stable CAD, 1) the frequency of myocardial ischemia was significantly increased in accordance with the serum ChE levels (p<0.001); 2) higher ChE levels were associated with a higher body mass index (p<0.001) and the co-existence of dyslipidemia (p<0.001), including higher values of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p<0.001) and triglycerides (p<0.001) and serum albumin (p<0.001), as well as a younger age (p<0.001); 3) the specificity and sensitivity of myocardial ischemia were 0.599 and 0.658 at the ChE level of 286 IU/L, respectively; and 4) an increased serum ChE (OR=1.66, p<0.001) was an independent risk factor for myocardial ischemia, in patients suspected of having stable CAD. Conclusion The serum ChE level may be an important diagnostic biomarker in patients suspected of having stable CAD.
Keywords: cholinesterase; coronary artery disease; myocardial ischemia.