Serum gamma glutamyl transferase: a novel biomarker for screening of premature coronary artery disease.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We aimed to elucidate the association between gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity with prevalence of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in young Pakistani patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 218 young adults (age ≤ 45 years) underwent diagnostic angiography. Serum samples were taken from all the patients and analyzed for serum GGT activity, cholesterol and triglycerides. RESULTS: Coronary artery disease patients had significantly increased GGT activity (P = .001) and exhibited a significant positive correlation with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and smoking and negative correlation with total antioxidant status (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The study revealed good diagnostic accuracy at cutoff of 35 U/L with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 81%, and diagnostic odds ratio of 48 in estimation of premature CAD in young Pakistanis.