Preinfarction angina does not alter infarct size and in hospital outcome after acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation.

Background: Preinfarction angina has been reported to limit infarct size, in a manner analogous to experimental preconditioning. However, other studies have reported inconsistent results. We aimed to investigate prospectively the role of preinfarction angina on infarct size and in hospital outcome.

Raised concentrations of macrophage colony stimulating factor in severe unstable angina beyond the acute phase are strongly predictive of long term outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the long term prognostic value of macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) measured in serum six weeks after the occurrence of unstable angina.

Subjects: 119 consecutive patients, mean (SD) age 58 (10) years, with severe unstable angina (Braunwald class IIIb); controls were 96 subjects of similar age and sex distribution.

Design: MCSF, IL-6, and TNFalpha were measured on admission, at discharge, and six weeks later, and the patients were followed for two years.

Usefulness of elevated levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in predicting in-hospital prognosis in patients with unstable angina pectoris.

To assess the in-hospital prognostic value of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs), the levels of soluble CAMs were measured at admission in 114 patients with severe unstable angina. Patients with an eventful in-hospital course (death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, and recurrence of angina) had higher levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 than those without events (p = 0.01); this association was independent of classic risk factors and C-reactive protein.

Dietary alpha-linolenic acid decreases C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and interleukin-6 in dyslipidaemic patients.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) affects the levels of inflammatory markers in dyslipidaemic patients.

Methods: We recruited 76 male dyslipidaemic patients (mean age=51+/-8 years) following a typical Greek diet.

Prognostic value of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and macrophage colony stimulating factor in severe unstable angina.

Background: Inflammatory process plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes.

Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to evaluate whether admission levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6). and macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF) can predict short-term prognosis in patients with unstable angina.