High sensitivity C-reactive protein and vascular endothelial growth factor as indicators of carotid plaque vulnerability.

Background: Carotid atherosclerotic plaques are one of the causes of cerebral stroke. The risk is higher for the vulnerable plaques but there are no specific markers to identify them. The aim of our study was to identify vulnerable carotid plaques by the mean of atherosclerotic serological markers in patients undergoing carotid revascularization by endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting (CAS).

Impact of high-sensitivity Troponin T on hospital admission, resources utilization, and outcomes.

Aims: The use of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay might lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). This study assessed the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic impact of introducing hs-cTnT in the everyday clinical practice of an Emergency Department.

Methods And Results: We compared all consecutive patients presenting with suspected ACS at the Emergency Department, for whom troponin levels were measured.

Inflammatory mediators and cerebral embolism in carotid stenting: new markers of risk.

Purpose: To investigate serological predictors of risk for cerebral embolism after carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Methods: Twenty consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (13 men; mean age 74 years) with carotid artery stenosis undergoing standardized filter-protected CAS (Wallstent) were preoperatively evaluated to identify unstable plaque (duplex ultrasound), complicated aortic plaque (transesophageal echocardiography), and inflammatory status [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and serum amyloid-A protein (SAA) serum levels]. Aortic arch type, carotid tortuosity, and complexity of the procedure were considered.

C-reactive protein and embolization during carotid artery stenting. A serological and morphological study.

Introduction: High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) levels are correlated with vulnerable carotid plaques, although their impact on the outcome of carotid revascularization is unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between hsCRP and embolization during carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Methods: Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were submitted to CAS with distal protection filters.

Early activation of peripheral lymphocytes in human acute pancreatitis.

Background: The CD69 antigen is an indicator of early lymphocyte activation.

Goals: To evaluate the early activation of peripheral lymphocytes T, B, and NK in patients with acute pancreatitis in comparison with patients with acute abdomen of nonpancreatic origin.

Study: Thirty patients with acute pancreatitis were studied; 20 of them had the mild form of the disease and 10 had the severe form.