Role of ischemia modified albumin to ST-segment resolution after mechanical reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To investigate the possible association between admission ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels and ST-segment resolution (STR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Materials And Methods: We studied 117 patients with a first STEMI within 6h of the onset of pain. Admission serum IMA concentration was measured using a validated assay.

Winter/summer seasonal changes in malondialdehyde formation as a source of variance in oxidative stress schizophrenia research.

Background: Malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biological marker, is one of the most frequently used markers of lipid peroxidation in schizophrenia research. Data regarding MDA levels in schizophrenia are controversial. Our aim is to study the existence of winter/summer seasonal changes in serum MDA levels in schizophrenic patients.

Diurnal variation of soluble CD40 ligand in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Soluble CD40 ligand and diurnal variation.

Introduction: We sought to investigate whether day-night variations occur in the concentration of circulating soluble CD40 ligand in patients with acute coronary syndrome, as this may have practical implications.

Materials And Methods: We assessed 70 consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients admitted into the Coronary Care Unit and 50 control subjects. Each subject was studied under strictly controlled light/dark conditions.

Prognostic value of admission myeloperoxidase levels in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

Inflammation plays a critical role in acute myocardial infarction. One inflammatory marker is myeloperoxidase (MPO). Its role as a predictor of in-hospital death in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) is unclear.

[Female gender is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty].

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender on in hospital outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary angioplasty (PA).

Design And Scope: Prospective study of a cohort of patients consecutively admitted to the Coronary Unit of a tertiary hospital in the period of January to October 2004 with the diagnoses of IAMEST and treated with PA.

Patients: Consecutive sample of 86 patients with this diagnosis divided into two groups based on sex: 52 men and 34 women.

Cytokines and lipid peroxidation in alcoholics with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

A major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma is chronic infection by hepatitis C virus. Ethanol consumption is the most significant environmental factor that exacerbates the progression of chronic hepatitis C to liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma, perhaps due to increased cytokine secretion together with increased lipid peroxidation. In this study, we compare the intensity of lipid peroxidation (estimated as malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels), the antioxidant status, (measured as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in red blood cells), and levels of cytokines derived from Th1 cells (such as interferon gamma (IFNG)), Th2 cells (such as interleukin (IL)-4), Th3 cells (such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)), and IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C virus infection, 26 drinkers of alcohol and 40 nondrinkers of alcohol.

Light/dark patterns of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in relation to melatonin in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Elevated levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules have been reported in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Likewise, a relation between decreased nocturnal melatonin levels and coronary artery disease has been suggested. The aim of the present study was to investigate the day-night variations in the concentration of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in relation to the light/dark melatonin pattern.

Association of ischemia-modified albumin and melatonin in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: It has been proposed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion modify the N-terminus of serum albumin resulting in ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) formation. Likewise, several recent publications provide evidence that melatonin, a circadian endogenously produced indolamine, is a direct scavenger of ROS. We sought to investigate the relationship between IMA and melatonin in ST- elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Relation of ischemia-modified albumin levels and left ventricular systolic function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been shown to be elevated in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our goal was to investigate the association between IMA levels and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with PCI and who developed heart failure during their Coronary Care Unit (CCU) stay.

Methods: We assessed 75 patients with a first STEMI.

New pharmacologic options in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: potential role of levosimendan.

Modern and effective therapeutic possibilities have improved the management and outcomes in acute coronary syndromes and acute myocardial infarction. However, substantial morbidity and mortality still remain. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury may contribute to additional damage to myocardial necrosis and apoptosis.

[Systemic inflammatory response syndrome: incidence and influence on outcome in acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty].

Objective: To assess the incidence, clinical profile and influence on outcome of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with primary angioplasty (PA).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Scope: A 12-beds coronary care unit at a university hospital.

Effects of levosimendan versus dobutamine on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with cardiogenic shock after primary angioplasty.

Background: Levosimendan is a new calcium sensitizer with positive inotropic properties. In previous studies, it has recently been shown that levosimendan improves the Doppler echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction. We sought to evaluate the effects of levosimendan compared to dobutamine on LV diastolic function, using conventional transmitral Doppler, in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who subsequently developed cardiogenic shock.

Effects of levosimendan versus dobutamine on long-term survival of patients with cardiogenic shock after primary coronary angioplasty.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) worsens patient's outcome. Levosimendan treatment offers short-term survival benefit in acute heart failure but its effect on long-term outcome remains unclear. We sought to assess the effect on long-term survival of levosimendan compared to dobutamine treatment in patients with STEMI revascularized by primary coronary angioplasty (PCI) who subsequently developed CS.

Soluble CD40 ligand:interleukin-10 ratio predicts in-hospital adverse events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules is likely to modulate the processes that lead to atherogenesis and rapid coronary artery disease progression. We sought to compare the positive predictive values of serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) ratio, versus individual sCD40L, and IL-10 measurements regarding in-hospital events in patients admitted into the hospital with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We recruited 96 patients with STEMI.

High serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level predict increased risk of in-hospital cardiac events in patients with type 2 diabetes and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels in a population of type 2 diabetic versus non-diabetic patients hospitalized with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to examine the relationship between serum MMP-9 levels and the incidence of in-hospital cardiac events, including death and cardiogenic shock.

Methods: We recruited 120 patients with STEMI, of whom 48 were type 2 diabetic and 72 non-diabetic. Serum MMP-9 levels were measured on admission, using a commercially available ELISA.

Relation of nocturnal melatonin levels to serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations in patients with myocardial infarction.

Introduction: The aims of the present study were to characterize the day/night variation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in patients who have developed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in response to light/dark differences in circulating melatonin and to assess whether melatonin, a day/night variation regulator, modulates the nocturnal inflammatory changes in patients who have STEMI.

Methods: The study included 75 patients diagnosed with STEMI and 75 control subjects. Each subject was studied under strictly controlled light/dark conditions.

A unicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of Melatonin as an Adjunct in patients with acute myocaRdial Infarction undergoing primary Angioplasty The Melatonin Adjunct in the acute myocaRdial Infarction treated with Angioplasty (MARIA) trial: study design and rationale.

Background: Experimental studies have documented the beneficial effects of the endogenously produced antioxidant, melatonin, in reducing tissue damage and limiting cardiac pathophysiology in models of experimental ischemia-reperfusion. Melatonin confers cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury most likely through its direct free radical scavenging activities and its indirect actions in stimulating antioxidant enzymes. These actions of melatonin permit it to reduce molecular damage and limit infarct size in experimental models of transient ischemia and subsequent reperfusion.

Outcome of primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during routine duty hours versus during off-hours. Results of a single-center in Spain.

Background: A circadian variation in the time of onset of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with peak in the morning hours has been described. We sought to investigate the impact of circadian patterns on the practice of primary angioplasty in individuals residing in Tenerife Island (Spain).

Methods: 90 consecutive patients with STEMI were treated in our hospital.

Renal dysfunction is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

Background: Patients with baseline renal dysfunction (BRD) have an increased cardiovascular risk and a worse prognosis after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Besides, the appearance of worsening renal failure (WRF) after an AMI is an independent predictor of worse prognosis too. The aim of the present study was to determine the in-hospital prognostic significance of BRD and WRF in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent successful primary angioplasty (PA).

[Effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations requiring hospitalization: a randomized placebo-controlled trial].

Objective: Magnesium sulfate has been shown to have a bronchodilating effect in asthma, but this effect has not been clearly established in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For this reason we investigated the possible bronchodilating effect of magnesium sulfate in COPD exacerbations.

Patients And Methods: We studied 24 patients with exacerbated COPD who required admission to our hospital's pneumology department.

Tetrahydrobiopterin stimulates L-DOPA release from striatal tissue.

In the present study we have analyzed the effect of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) essential cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase and nitric oxide synthase, on the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) release from in vitro incubated striatal tissue. dl-6-methyl-5,6,7,8 tetrahydropterine (6-MPH4)-stimulated L-DOPA release in a concentration-dependent manner in the range from 25 to 100 microM. At these concentrations 6-MPH4 did not have any effect on dopamine release.

[Influence of diabetes mellitus on the management and prognosis of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome].

The presence of diabetes mellitus worsens prognosis in acute coronary syndromes. The aim of our study was to analyze retrospectively the influence of diabetes mellitus on the management and prognosis of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. We compared the baseline clinical characteristics of 273 patients (93 diabetic and 180 non-diabetic) admitted consecutively to our department with the diagnosis of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.