DNA variants, plasma levels and variability of interleukin-6 in myocardial infarction survivors: results from the AIRGENE study.

Introduction: Increased levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a marker for systemic inflammation, have been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the influence of IL6 gene polymorphisms on mean level and variability of plasma IL-6 in a population of myocardial infarction survivors recruited in six European cities as part of the AIRGENE study. DNA from each individual was collected and genotyped for eight functional and tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL6 gene.

Coronary sinus thermography in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: correlation with systemic inflammation and left ventricular contractility.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with heart failure have increased myocardial heat production. Coronary sinus (CS) thermography is a new method for the evaluation of left ventricular heat production.

Aims: We investigated whether the CS blood temperature is increased in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) compared to a control group and whether the CS blood temperature correlates with ejection fraction and systemic inflammatory activation.

Elevated plaque temperature in non-culprit de novo atheromatous lesions of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Objectives: We investigated whether there is increased temperature in non-culprit lesions, and the correlation of clinical syndrome with heat production of non-culprit lesions.

Background: There is a controversy regarding whether there is widespread inflammation involving non-culprit lesions, or whether inflammatory involvement is limited to the culprit lesion. Coronary thermography assesses the local inflammatory involvement in atherosclerotic lesions.

Detection of increased temperature of the culprit lesion after recent myocardial infarction: the favorable effect of statins.

Background: Increased thermal heterogeneity has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic plaques, with the higher temperature recorded in acute myocardial infarction (MI). Dietary or treatment interventions reduce heat production. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether increased plaque temperature is maintained for a prolonged period after MI and the role of statin administration.