Preexisting High Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Tunica Media of Saphenous Vein Conduits Is Associated with Unfavorable Long-Term Outcomes after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Table 3

Mean tissue expressions of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 in the SV segments obtained from patients who developed the SV graft disease (SVGD (+)) versus individuals without SV graft failure during the follow-up period (SVGD (−)).

IRS scale	SVGD (+); 𝑁=47	SVGD (−); 𝑁=153	𝑃 value
MMP-2	4 (2, 6)	3 (1, 4)	0.001
TIMP-2	2 (0, 6)	4 (1, 6)	0.044
TIMP-3	0 (0, 4)	2 (0, 4)	0.015
Ratio MMP-2 : TIMP-2	1.7 (1, 2.5)	0.2 (0, 1)	0.002
Ratio MMP-2 : TIMP-3	1.9 (1, 3)	0.4 (0, 1)	0.002

IRS scale is expressed as the median with the 25th and 75th percentiles; categorical variables as the number (𝑛) with percentages (%).
Abbreviations: IRS: immunoreactive score, MMP: metalloproteinase, TIMP: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, and SVGD: saphenous vein graft disease.