Bivalirudin reduces platelet and monocyte activation after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Concomitant antithrombotic therapy is essential for the prevention of ischaemic events in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting. With new anticoagulant medications being developed and applied in PCI, this raises the question of possible interactions with platelet and leukocyte activation. We therefore sought to investigate the influence of bivalirudin and heparin in platelet and leukocyte activation in patients undergoing elective PCI.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells decrease in patients after endarterectomy.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) contribute to vascular regeneration. Since surgical injury and burns induce a pro-inflammatory and proangiogenic response, we investigated the effect of vascular injury with minimal surgical trauma after endarterectomy on the number of circulating EPC and systemic inflammatory changes.

Methods And Results: Forty-five patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were included in the study.

Impact of bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin on platelet aggregation in patients pretreated with 600 mg clopidogrel undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of bivalirudin or unfractionated heparin (UFH) on platelet aggregation in patients, pretreated with a 600 mg loading dose clopidogrel, undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: Patients (n = 100) were recruited consecutively in the setting of a double-blind, randomized trial. Bivalirudin or UFH was administered during PCI.

Systemic inflammatory changes after pulmonary vein radiofrequency ablation do not alter stem cell mobilization.

Aims: Aim of this study was to investigate the number of circulating progenitor cells, systemic inflammatory mediators, and myocardial necrosis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Radiofrequency ablation generates a localized myocardial necrosis that might result in a release of inflammatory mediators enhancing progenitor cell mobilization and improving tissue repair.

Methods And Results: Blood samples were collected in patients with paroxysmal AF before and after PV isolation.

Membrane-type serine protease-1/matriptase induces interleukin-6 and -8 in endothelial cells by activation of protease-activated receptor-2: potential implications in atherosclerosis.

Objective: The serine protease MT-SP1/matriptase plays an important role in cell migration and matrix degradation. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) have been identified as in vitro substrates of MT-SP1/matriptase. Because PAR-2 is expressed in endothelial cells and contributes to inflammatory processes, we sought to investigate the effects of MT-SP1/matriptase on endothelial cytokine expression and analyzed MT-SP1/matriptase expression in vascular cells and atherosclerotic lesions.

Interleukin-8 is associated with circulating CD133+ progenitor cells in acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: Release of progenitor cells is observed during inflammatory conditions and contributes to neovascularization. We, therefore, sought to investigate the relationship of circulating progenitor cells and interleukin (IL)-8 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: From patients with stable angina and AMI, serial venous blood samples were obtained.