Predictive value of plasma soluble thrombomodulin for new-onset carotid plaque in adults with carotid intima-media thickening.
- 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical University, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, China.
- 2The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical University, Wuhu, Anhui, 241001, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Endothelial damage constitutes the initial phase in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and plasma soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) is a sensitive biomarker of endothelial injury. However, the association between plasma sTM and new-onset carotid plaque development remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether plasma sTM can predict new-onset carotid plaque and identify factors associated with plaque formation in adults with carotid intima-media thickening (cIMT).Methods
Carotid ultrasonography performed during health examinations was retrospectively analyzed to evaluate carotid plaque status. Participants with carotid plaques at baseline were excluded from the study. Baseline plasma sTM levels were quantified using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with new-onset carotid plaques and to develop an exploratory prediction model.Results
A total of 2,607 adults with cIMT and no carotid plaque at baseline were included in the study. The median baseline plasma sTM level was 10.0 TU/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.8-12.9 TU/mL). Baseline plasma sTM levels were significantly correlated with multiple clinical factors. During a median follow-up of 13.2 months, 488 participants (18.72%) developed carotid plaque. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that baseline plasma sTM was independently associated with new-onset carotid plaque formation, together with fasting blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, uric acid, hypertension, and smoking (all P < 0.05).Conclusions
Elevated baseline plasma sTM levels were independently associated with new-onset carotid plaque formation in individuals with cIMT. These findings suggest that plasma sTM may have potential as an exploratory risk-stratification biomarker to assist in clinical monitoring.
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BibTeX
@article{wu2026predictive,
title = {{Predictive value of plasma soluble thrombomodulin for new-onset carotid plaque in adults with carotid intima-media thickening.}},
author = {Jiaojiao Wu and Gang Feng and Qianqing Ma},
journal = {BMC cardiovascular disorders},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12872-026-06374-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972230},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Predictive value of plasma soluble thrombomodulin for new-onset carotid plaque in adults with carotid intima-media thickening.
AU - Jiaojiao Wu
AU - Gang Feng
AU - Qianqing Ma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/06
JO - BMC cardiovascular disorders
DO - 10.1186/s12872-026-06374-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972230
AB - Background Endothelial damage constitutes the initial phase in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and plasma soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) is a sensitive biomarker of endothelial injury. However, the association between plasma sTM and new-onset carotid plaque development remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether plasma sTM can predict new-onset carotid plaque and identify factors associated with plaque formation in adults with carotid intima-media thickening (cIMT).Methods Carotid ultrasonography performed during health examinations was retrospectively analyzed to evaluate carotid plaque status. Participants with carotid plaques at baseline were excluded from the study. Baseline plasma sTM levels were quantified using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with new-onset carotid plaques and to develop an exploratory prediction model.Results A total of 2,607 adults with cIMT and no carotid plaque at baseline were included in the study. The median baseline plasma sTM level was 10.0 TU/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.8-12.9 TU/mL). Baseline plasma sTM levels were significantly correlated with multiple clinical factors. During a median follow-up of 13.2 months, 488 participants (18.72%) developed carotid plaque. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that baseline plasma sTM was independently associated with new-onset carotid plaque formation, together with fasting blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein, uric acid, hypertension, and smoking (all P < 0.05).Conclusions Elevated baseline plasma sTM levels were independently associated with new-onset carotid plaque formation in individuals with cIMT. These findings suggest that plasma sTM may have potential as an exploratory risk-stratification biomarker to assist in clinical monitoring.
SN - 1471-2261
ER -