Plasmatic level of leukocyte-derived microparticles is associated with unstable plaque in asymptomatic patients with high-grade carotid stenosis.

Objectives: This study sought to analyze whether the plasmatic level of leukocyte-derived microparticles (LMP) is associated with unstable plaques in patients with high-grade carotid stenosis.

Background: Preventive carotid surgery in asymptomatic patients is currently debated given the improvement of medical therapy. Therefore, noninvasive biomarkers that can predict plaque instability are needed.

Circulating lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in high-grade carotid stenosis: a new biomarker for predicting unstable plaque.

Objective: To test plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in patients with high-grade carotid stenosis according to plaque histology.

Methods: This cross-sectional single-centre study included patients with ≥70% North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) carotid stenosis, who were treated surgically. Serum Lp-PLA2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were determined on the day of surgery.

Valvular heart disease associated with benfluorex therapy: high prevalence in patients with unexplained restrictive valvular heart disease.

Aims: Restrictive valvular disease (RVD) has recently been reported in patients after benfluorex exposure. However, little is known about its prevalence and echocardiographic features. The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of benfluorex exposure in patients with RVD and to describe their echocardiographic characteristics.