Association Between Myeloperoxidase Levels and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease

ContextMyeloperoxidase (MPO), a leukocyte enzyme that promotes oxidation of lipoproteins in atheroma, has been proposed as a possible mediator of atherosclerosis.ObjectiveTo determine the association between MPO levels and prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD).Design, Setting, and PatientsCase-control study conducted from July to September 2000 in a US tertiary care referral center, including 158 patients with established CAD (cases) and 175 patients without angiographically significant CAD (controls).Main Outcome MeasuresAssociation of MPO levels per milligram of neutrophil protein (leukocyte-MPO) and MPO levels per milliliter of blood (blood-MPO) with CAD risk.ResultsLeukocyte- and blood-MPO levels were both significantly greater in patients with CAD than in controls (P