Serum osteopontin is associated with coronary plaque vulnerability and short-term cardiovascular events: a prospective cohort study

Elevated serum SPP1 levels are independently associated with imaging-defined plaque vulnerability and short-term cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Serum SPP1 may serve as a clinically relevant biomarker reflecting immuno-inflammatory plaque instability, warranting further validation in larger cohorts.