Ricerc@Sapienza

Background: ST2 represents an interesting biomarker associated with the progression of atherosclerotic disease. Methods: This study aims to detect different ST2 serum concentrations, and intraplaque ST2 expression, in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Results: The analysis of ST2 expression in the atheromatous plaque did not show any significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (39.61 ± 35.97 vs. 38.49 ± 35.26; P = ns). ST2 serum concentrations of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were statistically different with a concentration of 11.04 ± 8.95 ng/mL and 13.91 ± 8.01 ng/mL, respectively (P = 0.037). We observed statistical difference in serum ST2 levels between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients for cerebrovascular acute disease. No differences have been obtained in intraplaque ST2 expression. Conclusions: Soluble serum ST2 levels can be a useful biomarker to identify patients at risk for cerebrovascular events.