Different patterns of interleukin-6 and von Willebrand factor antigen changes after coronary stenting in unstable versus stable angina.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the time course and the clinical relevance of inflammatory markers in patients with unstable angina undergoing successful coronary stent implantation.

Methods: Fifty-six patients (33 with unstable and 23 with stable angina) scheduled for single vessel coronary angioplasty followed by successful stent implantation were studied.

Comparative short-term prognostic value of hemostatic and inflammatory markers in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Recent data show that markers of inflammation, endothelial perturbation as well as activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems are altered in unstable angina. The purpose of this study was to compare the 30-day prognostic value of the indexes of inflammation [interleukin-6 (IL-6)], endothelial activation [von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf)], fibrinolysis [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)] and coagulation (F1 + 2), in a consecutive series of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients consecutively admitted to the coronary care unit because of chest pain occurring within the previous 24 hours were included in the study.