Using Soluble ST2 to Predict Adverse Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with Impaired Left Ventricular Function Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of soluble ST2 (sST2) in predicting postoperative adverse events in patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Materials and Methods: This study included 80 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and impaired LV function (ejection fraction <= 45%) undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The patients were divided into the "high" or "low" group according to their ST2 levels (>= 35 or <35 ng/mL). Results: Postoperative adverse events were more common in patients with high sST2 levels than in patients with low sST2 levels (100% vs 26%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that sST2 level was an independent predictor of the presence of postoperative adverse events (OR: 1.117 (95% CI: 1.016-1.228), p = 0.022). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of sST2 revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.812 (95% CI: 0.710-0.913, p < 0.001) in predicting postoperative adverse events. An sST2 level of 26.50 ng/ml was identified as the optimal cut-off value, with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.1% and 75.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Higher sST2 levels were associated with adverse outcomes after CABG in patients with impaired LV and stable CAD.