ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) on the prognosis of transient ischemic attack(TIA). Methods Sixty-four patients with first-onset TIA(TIA group)and 64 age and sex matched cases without any cerebrovascular disease (control group) were involved in this study. The level of MMP-9 was measured by ELISA method,and the subsequent vascular events and death rate were determined in both groups over 4 years. Results The level of MMP-9 in TIA group was significantly higher than that in control group [(5.25 ± 0.51 ) μg/L vs. (3.25 ± 0.39 ) μg/L, t = 7.830, P <0.05]. Furthermore, in TIA group, the level of MMP-9 was significantly higher in patients with primary endpoint events than that in the patients without primary endpoint events [(5.78 ± 0.48) μg/L vs. (3.15 ±0.29) μg/L, t = 3.250, P < 0.05]. Compared with the patients with lower MMP-9 level ( < 2.5 μg/L), the relative risk of primary endpoint events in higher MMP-9 level patients ( > 4.5 μg/L) was 2.612 (95% CI 1.557-5.463 ,P < 0.01 ) in TIA group. This increased relative risk for primary endpoint events in TIA group persisted after the adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, blood fat level and other cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking (OR =2.346,95% CI 1.418-5.216,P =0.006).Conclusions The level of MMP-9 in TIA patients has relationship with prognosis and inflammation may play an important role in TIA. MMP-9 may be a marker in predicting prognosis.