Plasma Ceramides as Prognostic Biomarkers and Their Arterial and Myocardial Tissue Correlates in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Highlights •Targeted profiling of ceramides identified a 12-ceramide plasma signature that predicted 12-month cardiovascular death, MI, and stroke in 2 prospective cohorts of AMI patients. •Among coronary artery bypass grafting patients, plasma ceramides were higher in those with recent AMI compared with those without recent acute MI. •Analysis of rat ischemic myocardium revealed a consistent increase in ceramide levels and overexpression of 3 enzymes in ceramide biosynthesis.