Usefulness of serum neopterin levels in acute decompensated heart failure to predict renal dysfunction.

Context: Neopterin serum concentration increases in the presence of renal dysfunction.

Objective: We sought to determine the relationship between admission serum neopterin levels and worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: We prospectively measured serum neopterin levels in patients with HF and the patients were subdivided into two groups: with and without WRF during hospital admission.

Increased heart rate and atherosclerosis: potential implications of ivabradine therapy.

Despite all the therapeutic advances in the field of cardiology, cardiovascular diseases, and in particular coronary artery disease, remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, thereby underlining the importance of acquiring new therapeutic options in this field. A reduction in elevated resting heart rate (HR) has long been postulated as a therapeutic approach in the management of cardiovascular disease. An increased HR has been shown to be associated with increased progression of coronary atherosclerosis in animal models and patients.

[Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in cocaine users with acute coronary syndrome].

Background And Objective: Inflammation and oxidative stress take part in the development of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to analyze serum concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (PCR-as) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cocaine consumer patients and ACS.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 43 patients with ACS and a positive urine test for cocaine, who were compared to a sample of 49 patients with this diagnosis and a negative test.

Role of myeloperoxidase as predictor of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Elevated cytokine levels have been reported after ischemia/reperfusion injury and might cause a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). High myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels are reported to be a risk factor for early cardiac events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Its role as a predictor of SIRS in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with PPCI is unclear.