TREM2 protects from atherosclerosis by limiting necrotic core formation.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of the vascular wall driven by lipid accumulation and inflammation in the intimal layer of arteries, and its main complications, myocardial infarction and stroke, are the leading cause of mortality worldwide [1], [2]. Recent studies have identified Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a lipid-sensing receptor regulating myeloid cell functions [3], to be highly expressed in macrophage foam cells in experimental and human atherosclerosis [4]. However, the role of TREM2 in atherosclerosis is not fully known.

Von Willebrand factor antigen levels predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with carotid stenosis of the ICARAS study.

Background And Aims: Von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays an important role in thrombogenesis and mediates platelet adhesion particularly under high shear stress. Such conditions are generally found in stenotic arteries and can eventually cause myocardial infarction or stroke. We aimed to study whether levels of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) predict future major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients suffering from carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid ultrasound investigation as a prognostic tool for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Experimental and clinical data indicate a major influence of diabetes on atherogenesis. We aimed to assess whether the effect of diabetes on long-term mortality in asymptomatic patient with carotid stenosis is contingent upon the degree of the carotid atherosclerotic burden.

Methods: 1065 patients with neurological asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by duplex sonography were prospectively followed for cause-specific mortality.

The prognostic value of serum amyloid A for long-term mortality among patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Despite extensive research in the last decade, the role of serum amyloid A (SAA) in atherogenesis remains highly controversial. The aim of this study was therefore to assess whether SAA is associated with long-term mortality in patients with subclinical carotid artery disease.

Methods: One thousand sixty-five patients with neurological asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by duplex sonography were prospectively followed for cause-specific mortality.

Edoxaban Plus Aspirin vs Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Endovascular Treatment of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease: Results of the ePAD Trial.

Purpose: To report a randomized study that investigated the safety (risk of major bleeds) and potential efficacy of edoxaban, an oral anticoagulant that targets the major components of arterial thrombi, to prevent loss of patency following endovascular treatment (EVT).

Methods: Between February 2012 and June 2014, 203 patients who underwent femoropopliteal EVT were randomized to receive aspirin plus edoxaban or aspirin plus clopidogrel for 3 months in the Edoxaban in Peripheral Arterial Disease (ePAD) study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01802775).

Stent-induced flow disturbances in the ipsilateral external carotid artery following internal carotid artery stenting: a temporary cause of jaw claudication.

Background: We hypothesize that stenting of the internal carotid artery can immediately impede blood flow to the external carotid artery by either plaque shift or stent coverage of the ostium, and thereby cause ischemic symptoms like ipsilateral jaw claudication.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with high-grade asymptomatic stenosis of the internal carotid artery who underwent endovascular treatment were examined by ultrasound of the external carotid artery and performed an exercise test by chewing chewing gum synchronously to an electronic metronome for 3 min. Tests were performed before, the day after, and 1 week after the stenting procedure.

Combined Effects of Inflammatory Status and Carotid Atherosclerosis: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background And Purpose: Inflammatory responses play a key role in atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and to evaluate whether degree of carotid stenosis and serum levels of hsCRP jointly predict long-term mortality in asymptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: One thousand sixty-five patients with neurological asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by duplex sonography were prospectively followed for cause-specific mortality.

Percutaneous instillation of physiological saline solution for the treatment of femoral pseudoaneuryms.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of para-aneurysmal saline injection for closure of postcatheterization pseudo-aneurysm (PA) at the vascular access site.

Methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients with postcatheterization PA at the vascular access site were included to undergo percutaneous para-aneurysmal saline injection. In case of technical failure the day after, PA were treated by bovine thrombin injection.

Red cell distribution width and mortality in carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with morbidity and mortality in chronic cardiac disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of RDW as a predictor of adverse outcome in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively studied 1065 of 1286 consecutive patients with neurological asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis as assessed by duplex Doppler sonography.

The impact of selectins on mortality in stable carotid atherosclerosis.

Cellular adhesion molecules also known as selectins promote recruitment of inflammatory cells into the arterial wall where they interact with lipid particles leading subsequently to plaque formation. The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) also known as E-selectin mediate the attachment of leukocytes and have been implicated in the destabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, we hypothesised that plasma selectin levels are associated with adverse clinical outcome.

A review of antithrombotic therapy and the rationale and design of the randomized edoxaban in patients with peripheral artery disease (ePAD) trial adding edoxaban or clopidogrel to aspirin after femoropopliteal endovascular intervention.

Compared with the coronary setting, knowledge about antithrombotic therapies after endovascular treatment (EVT) is inadequate in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Based on a review of trials and guidelines, which is summarized in this article, there is scant evidence that antithrombotic drugs improve outcome after peripheral EVT. To address this knowledge gap, the randomized, open-label, multinational edoxaban in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (ePAD) study (ClinicalTrials.

Integrative therapy in patients with intermittent claudication.

The generally accepted first-line treatment in patients with intermittent claudication is risk factor modification, medical treatment and exercise training. In an era of reduced resources, the benefit of any further invasive intervention must be weighted against best conservative therapy for patients with claudication. According to some recent trials an integrative therapeutic concept combining best conservative treatment - including (supervised) exercise therapy - with endovascular therapy gives the best midterm results concerning walking distance and health-related quality of life.

The impact of uric acid on long-term mortality in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Background: Serum uric acid (SUA) has been discussed to be related to cardiovascular (CV) disease and outcome. We investigated whether levels of SUA predict long-term mortality in neurologically asymptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Methods: We prospectively studied 959 consecutive patients with carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by duplex Doppler sonography for all-cause and CV death, respectively.

Prognostic value of neutrophils in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

Background: Inflammation is associated with atherosclerotic disease. In this context, it has been shown that an increased neutrophil count is a risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary and peripheral artery disease. However, the impact of neutrophils on long-term mortality in patients with carotid atherosclerosis is not yet fully understood.

Assessment of self-expanding nitinol stent deformation after chronic implantation into the femoropopliteal arteries.

Aims: The purpose of this prospective clinical investigation was to quantify the degree and range of compressive and bending deformations sustained by self-expanding nitinol stents when implanted into the femoropopliteal arteries of patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Methods And Results: Twenty-three nitinol self-expanding stents (Absolute; Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) with diameters ranging from 5-10 mm and lengths ranging from 40-100 mm were implanted in 19 lesions in 18 extremities of 17 patients. Two days following implantation, in vivo stent compression and bending were assessed by measurement of stent length and deflection angle via lateral view radiographs.

Mean platelet volume predicts outcome in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

Background And Objective: Platelets play a pivotal role in atherothrombosis and are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether mean platelet volume (MPV) predicts clinical outcome and progression of atherosclerosis in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease.

Methods: We studied 1006 of 1268 prospectively collected consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis who were evaluated by duplex sonography.

A validated risk score to predict outcomes after carotid stenting.

Background: Periprocedural outcome has been extensively investigated in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting. However, risk factors contributing to long-term mortality have not been comprehensively assessed. We aimed to establish a validated clinical risk score for long-term mortality in patients after carotid artery stenting.

Usefulness of hemoglobin level to predict long-term mortality in patients with asymptomatic carotid narrowing by ultrasonography.

Anemia is associated with the cardiovascular outcome in healthy subjects but its impact on outcome in patients with cardiovascular disease has not yet been fully understood. Therefore, we assessed the long-term influence of hemoglobin on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with atherosclerotic disease. We prospectively studied 1,065 of 1,286 consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid narrowing.

Polymorphism of the complement 5 gene and cardiovascular outcome in patients with atherosclerosis.

Background: Humoral mediators of inflammation, in particular the complement system, have been described to play an important role in atherogenesis. Previously, we found a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the complement 5 gene (C5 rs17611, A>G) independently associated with stroke. Up to now, the impact of C5 rs17611 on the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular outcome in patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis was unclear.

Oral rivaroxaban for the treatment of symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

Background: A fixed-dose regimen of rivaroxaban, an oral factor Xa inhibitor, has been shown to be as effective as standard anticoagulant therapy for the treatment of deep-vein thrombosis, without the need for laboratory monitoring. This approach may also simplify the treatment of pulmonary embolism.

Methods: In a randomized, open-label, event-driven, noninferiority trial involving 4832 patients who had acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism with or without deep-vein thrombosis, we compared rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily for 3 weeks, followed by 20 mg once daily) with standard therapy with enoxaparin followed by an adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonist for 3, 6, or 12 months.

Renal function and long-term mortality in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

Renal dysfunction is a risk factor for mortality in patients with atherosclerosis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), cystatin C (CysC) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) are measures of renal function. It remains unclear, which of these parameters is the strongest predictor of outcome in patients with atherosclerosis.