Objective: Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) to albumin ratio (GAR) has been shown to be helpful to diagnose and determine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a guide recommended non-invasive test that provides information about the presence, severity, and morphology of coronary plaques. In this study, our main aim was to investigate the relationship between the presence, morphology, and severity of coronary plaques detected via CCTA and GAR in patients with low to moderate risk for undiagnosed CAD.
Methods: Nine hundred and sixty six patients were included who underwent CCTA. The severity of CAD and plaque morphology were investigated. CT-adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) was calculated to determine the extent of the CAD. The study population was further evaluated in three groups according to tertiles of GAR.
Results: Atherosclerotic plaques were more common in the male gender and older patients with conventional cardiovascular risk factors. GAR was significantly lower in patients with normal CCTA than in patients with a non-obstructive plaque or obstructive plaque on CCTA. Patients in upper GAR tertiles had a higher coronary calcium score (CACS) and CT-LeSc. GAR was one of the independent predictors to predict severe stenotic plaque and high CACS.
Conclusion: GAR can independently predict the presence, extent, and severity of CAD determined by CT-LeSc. We believe as a cheap, safe, and widely available tool, GAR would be useful in the diagnosis of CAD.