Moderate Serum γ-Glutamyl Transferase Level Is Beneficial for Heart Failure After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective: Previous studies suggested that elevated serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level is an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). However, whether serum GGT level has a predictive role for HF after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of GGT with HF after PCI in a Chinese population. Methods: Five thousand six hundred thirty-eight patients were divided into three groups according to GGT tertiles: first tertile (GGT <19.6 U/L; n = 1875), second tertile (GGT ≥19.6-32.9 U/L; n = 1880), and third tertile (GGT ≥32.9 U/L; n = 1883). There were 165 (2.9%) HFs during a long-term follow-up. The average follow-up time was 35.9 ± 22.6 months. Results: The incidence of HF in the first tertile is 62 (3.3%), second tertile is 38 (2.0%), and third tertile is 65 (3.5%). The HF incidence was significantly lower in second tertile compared with that in the first tertile or in the third tertile (both P < 0.05). A U-shaped curve was observed according to quintiles (Q1:3.4%, Q2: 3.0, Q3:1.6%, Q4: 2.9%, Q5: 3.7%, P = 0.042). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed after adjustment of confounders, the association remains significant (P = 0.046). Conclusions: This study indicated that serum GGT concentration was independently associated with HF after PCI. The baseline serum GGT level less than 19.6 or ≥32.9 increases HF risk in CAD patients who underwent PCI.