Association of Serum BAFF Levels with Cardiovascular Events in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Objectives: The B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a B cell survival factor involved in atherosclerosis and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. This study sought to investigate whether BAFF is a potential predictor of poor outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 299 patients with STEMI, and serum levels of BAFF were measured. All subjects were followed for three years. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiovascular death, nonfatal reinfarction, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), and stroke. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to analyze the predictive value of BAFF for MACEs. Results: In multivariate analysis, BAFF was independently associated with risk of MACEs (adjusted HR 1.525, 95% CI 1.085–2.145; p = 0.015) and cardiovascular death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.632, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.132–11.650, p = 0.030) after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with BAFF levels above the cut-off value (1.46 ng/mL) were more likely to have MACEs (log-rank p < 0.0001) and cardiovascular death (log-rank p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis, the impact of high BAFF on MACEs development was stronger in patients without dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the C-statistic and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI) values for MACEs were improved with BAFF as an independent risk factor or when combined with cardiac troponin I. Conclusions: This study suggests that higher BAFF levels in the acute phase are an independent predictor of the incidence of MACEs in patients with STEMI.

Elevated serum levels of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing molecule 3 in patients with systemic inflammation following COVID-19 vaccination

“…40 The level of BAFF and PDGF-AB/BB may be increased in combination of elevated cardiac enzymes in patients with post ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. 41,42 The association of NT proBNP and uPAR was not found in heart failure patients so far, but partially reflect the cardiovasclur risk in Black South African men. 43 Resistin elevation was associated with the occurrence of HF, more significantly with incident HFrEF than HFpEF.…”

Emerging Molecular Determinants and Protective Strategies in Heart Disease: What’s New in the Journal of Clinical Medicine? Outlook to the Future

“…Interesting evidence has indicated a significant relationship between specific endogenous factors and AMI. In particular, in a prospective cohort study of STEMI patients who underwent coronary artery angiography, the authors suggested that higher levels of the B cell activating factor (BAFF), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily with a significant role in MI/R and atherosclerosis lesions and progression, could represent, in the acute phase, an independent predictor of the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in the post-MI period [5]. On the other hand, Ko żuch et al (2022) [6] indicated, in a prospective study, the correlation between growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), as a member of the transforming growth factor superfamily involved in apoptotic and inflammatory pathway regulation, and disturbances in the microcirculatory reflow in patients with STEMI after PCI.…”