Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Is an Independent Predictor of Coronary Artery Ectasia in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Our purpose was to assess a possible association of inflammatory, lipid and mineral metabolism biomarkers with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and to determine a possible association of this with acute atherotrombotic events (AAT). We studied 270 patients who underwent coronary angiography during an acute coronary syndrome 6 months before. Plasma levels of several biomarkers were assessed, and patients were followed during a median of 5.

Prognostic value of initial QRS analysis in anterior STEMI: Correlation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, serum biomarkers, and cardiac outcomes.

Background: The presence of pathologic Q waves on admission electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with anterior ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been related to adverse cardiac outcomes. Our study evaluates the prognostic value of QRS complex and Q waves in patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed the specific characteristics of QRS complex and pathologic Q waves on admission and on discharge ECG in 144 patients hospitalized for anterior STEMI.

Comparison of 3 Predictive Clinical Risk Scores in 603 Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

No clinical risk score is universally accepted for coronary artery disease. In 603 patients (mean age, 61.2 ± 12.

Sun exposure influences the prognostic power of components of mineral metabolism in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background And Aim: Calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite) plasma levels vary with sun exposure (SE). However, it is not known if SE influences its prognostic ability. We have studied the effect of SE on plasma levels of the components of mineral metabolism (calcidiol, fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF-23], parathormone [PTH], and phosphate [P]) and on their prognostic value in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors Predicts Heart Failure and Death in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Objectives: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) seem to increase the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), mainly in those using clopidogrel. We analysed the impact of PPIs on the prognosis of patients with stable CAD.

Methods: We followed 706 patients with CAD.

Design and rationale of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on ventricular remodelling in patients with anterior myocardial infarction: the VITamin D in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VITDAMI) trial.

Introduction: Decreased plasma vitamin D (VD) levels are linked to cardiovascular damage. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated a benefit of VD supplements on left ventricular (LV) remodelling. Anterior ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the best human model to study the effect of treatments on LV remodelling.

Parathormone Levels Are Independently Associated with the Presence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Abnormalities of mineral metabolism and inflammation may affect the cardiovascular system. We have assessed the relationship of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with inflammation and mineral metabolism.

Methods: LVH was measured in 146 outpatients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) using echocardiography.

Plasma Levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, n-Terminal Fragment of Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Calcidiol Are Independently Associated with the Complexity of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background And Objectives: We investigated the relationship of the Syntax Score (SS) and coronary artery calcification (CAC), with plasma levels of biomarkers related to cardiovascular damage and mineral metabolism, as there is sparse information in this field.

Methods: We studied 270 patients with coronary disease that had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) six months before. Calcidiol, fibroblast growth factor-23, parathormone, phosphate and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, galectin-3, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] levels, among other biomarkers, were determined.

Circulating fibroblast growth factor-23 plasma levels predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus with coronary artery disease.

Background: Abnormalities of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) plasma levels predict adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. However, FGF-23 has a different behaviour in the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We explored whether the presence of T2D affects the predictive power of FGF-23.

Important abnormalities of bone mineral metabolism are present in patients with coronary artery disease with a mild decrease of the estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is characterized by increased circulating levels of parathormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), bone disease, and vascular calcification, and is associated with adverse outcomes. We studied the prevalence of mineral metabolism disorders, and the potential relationship between decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CKD-MBD in coronary artery disease patients in a cross-sectional study of 704 outpatients 7.5 ± 3.

N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Is Associated with a Future Diagnosis of Cancer in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: Several papers have reported elevated plasma levels of natriuretic peptides in patients with a previous diagnosis of cancer. We have explored whether N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma levels predict a future diagnosis of cancer in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We studied 699 patients with CAD free of cancer.

The Prognostic Value of High-Sensitive Troponin I in Stable Coronary Artery Disease Depends on Age and Other Clinical Variables.

Objectives: To study the prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin (hs-cTn) I in stable coronary artery disease.

Methods: In total, we studied 705 patients. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of: (1) acute ischemic events and (2) heart failure or death.

Differential profile in inflammatory and mineral metabolism biomarkers in patients with ischemic heart disease without classical coronary risk factors.

Background: Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) without classical cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are uncommon, and their profile has not been thoroughly studied. In CHD patients, we have assessed the differences in several biomarkers between those with and without CRF.

Methods: We studied 704 patients with CHD, analyzing plasma levels of biomarkers related to inflammation, thrombosis, renal damage, and heart failure: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), galectin-3, N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), parathormone, and phosphate.

[Impact of plasma pro-B-type natriuretic peptide amino-terminal and galectin-3 levels on the predictive capacity of the LIPID Clinical Risk Scale in stable coronary disease].

Introduction: At present, there is no tool validated by scientific societies for risk stratification of patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). It has been shown that plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), galectin-3 and pro-B-type natriuretic peptide amino-terminal (NT-proBNP) have prognostic value in this population.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic value of a clinical risk scale published in Long-term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischemic Disease (LIPID) study and determining its predictive capacity when combined with plasma levels of MCP-1, galectin-3 and NT-proBNP in patients with SCAD.

Coexistence of low vitamin D and high fibroblast growth factor-23 plasma levels predicts an adverse outcome in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are related with cardiovascular disorders. We have investigated the relationship of calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite) and FGF-23 plasma levels with the incidence of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: Prospective follow-up study of 704 outpatients, attending the departments of Cardiology of four hospitals in Spain, 6-12 months after an acute coronary event.

Occlusion of the left main coronary artery and collateral circulation via the conus branch.

We report the case of a 71-year-old-man, a smoker, admitted for unstable angina. Subsequent investigation revealed complete proximal occlusion of the left main coronary with an unusual collateral circulation. The left coronary artery was filled by a large conus branch originating from the right sinus of Valsalva.

What to do with an atrial thrombus?

This case report is about an 84-year-old woman admitted with right atrial thrombus attached to a pacemaker lead, diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography. Surgical treatment was rejected due to the high operative risk, and percutaneous stenting was performed with success; unfortunately, the outcome was fatal and the patient died. We review here the clinical features of right atrial thrombi, including the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment, which is sometimes controversial.

[Creatinine clearance and contrast nephropathy in patients with normal creatinine levels].

The main risk factor for contrast nephropathy is the presence of poor renal function. Plasma creatinine level is not a reliable measure of renal function as its value could lie within the normal range despite the presence of significant nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the creatinine clearance rate as a predictor of contrast nephropathy in patients with a normal plasma creatinine level.

Differences in physical characteristics in collegiate baseball players. A descriptive position by position analysis.

Physical characteristics including height, weight, body composition, and somatotype of NCAA Division II baseball players were evaluated to determine if differences in physical profiles exist by position at this level of competition. Differences in height, weight, lean body weight and somatoplots were found among various players. Pitchers were found to be taller that infielders and outfielders and displayed more endomorphy and less mesomorphy than the outfielders.

Anxiety and intense running exercise in the presence and absence of interpersonal competition.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effects of intense running exercise in the presence and absence of interpersonal competition on both (a) pre-exercise anxiety levels and (b) alterations in anxiety as a consequence of the exercise. Seven females and 10 males performed a 5-mile run over the same outdoor course on two separate days. In one condition the subjects ran in a road-race in which intense exercise was combined with interpersonal competition.

The influence of large decompressive craniectomy on the outcome of surgical treatment in spontaneous intracerebral haematomas.

The outcome of a series of 73 patients with spontaneous intraparenchymatous haematomas treated by surgical evacuation of the clot and decompressive craniectomy has been described. Comparing postoperative mortality of this series with another series of patients (54 cases) treated only with surgical removal of the clot without decompressive craniectomy a statistically significant improvement in the mortality rate after craniectomy could be observed in acute cases demanding surgical intervention for preservation of life in the first 24 hours. If signs of brain-stem suffering appear surgical mortality increases proportionally to the duration of this symptomatology.