Influence of serum CFB and VASH-2 levels on carotid vulnerable plaques in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Qi Lidan; Li Honghe; Meng Yao; Zhang Wenya; Liu Bin; Wu Jinze; Li Jianying

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2025.05.04

Abstract：Objective To explore the influence of serum complement factor B(CFB)and vasohibin-2(VASH-2)levels on carot-id vulnerable plaques in patients with acute cerebral infarction,aiming to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.Meth-ods A total of 168 patients with acute cerebral infarction and carotid atherosclerotic plaques diagnosed and treated at a hospital in Changchun from June 2021 to June 2024 were selected as the study group.Based on carotid ultrasound results,study group patients were assigned to a stable plaque group(n=106)and a vulnerable plaque group(n=62).Additionally,160 healthy volunteers undergoing physical examinations during the same period were selected as the control group.Serum CFB and VASH-2 levels were detected in all participants using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).The value of serum CFB and VASH-2 in evaluating carotid vulnerable plaques in acute cerebral infarction patients was analyzed,and the influencing factors for carotid vulnerable plaques in these patients were explored.Results Serum CFB and VASH-2 levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Serum CFB and VASH-2 levels in the vulnerable plaque group were significantly higher than those in the stable plaque group(P＜0.05).The areas under the curve(AUC)(95％CI)for serum CFB,VASH-2,and their combination in evaluating carotid vulnerable plaques in acute cerebral infarction patients were 0.739(0.694-0.789),0.806(0.756-0.851),and 0.912(0.862-0.957),respectively.The AUC for the combination of serum CFB and VASH-2 in evaluating carotid vulnerable plaques was higher than that for either single indicator alone(Z=11.258,P＜0.001;Z=8.396,P＜0.001).Low-density lipoprotein(LDL)levels and the proportions of patients with comorbid hypertension,comorbid hyperlipidemia,comorbid diabetes,and smoking history were higher in the vulnerable plaque group than in the stable plaque group,while high-density lipoprotein(HDL)levels were lower in the vulnerable plaque group than in the stable plaque group;all these differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Binary logistic stepwise re-gression analysis showed that smoking history(OR=2.073,95％CI:1.233-3.485),elevated LDL(OR=2.228,95％CI:1.287-3.857),serum CFB ≥467.18 mg/L(OR=3.171,95％CI:1.765-5.698),and serum VASH-2 ≥394.76 pg/mL(OR=3.777,95％CI:1.936-7.370)were risk factors for carotid vulnerable plaques in acute cerebral infarction patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion Elevated serum CFB and VASH-2 levels are significant risk factors for carotid vulnerable plaques in patients with acute cerebral infarction.The combined detection of both biomarkers holds certain value for evaluating carotid vulnerable plaques in these patients.