Multiscale Biology of Cardiovascular Risk in Psoriasis: Protocol for a Case-Control Study.

Background: Patients with psoriasis have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of traditional risk factors. The molecular mechanisms underlying the psoriasis-CVD connection are not fully understood. Advances in high-throughput molecular profiling technologies and computational analysis techniques offer new opportunities to improve the understanding of disease connections.

Association between Vascular Inflammation and Inflammation in Adipose Tissue, Spleen, and Bone Marrow in Patients with Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) with significant overlap of inflammatory pathways. A link between vascular inflammation and inflammation in multiple adipose tissue types, spleen, and bone marrow may exist. Therefore, we investigated these associations using F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG-PET/CT) in patients with psoriasis ( = 83) where half had established CVD.

YKL-40: a new biomarker in cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease in the form of coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death in western countries. Early treatment with stabilizing drugs and mechanical revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary bypass surgery has reduced the mortality significantly. But in spite of improved treatments, many patients are still plagued by a high frequency of angina symptoms, hospitalizations and a poor prognosis.

Prognostic impact of hs-CRP and IL-6 in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation treated with electrical cardioversion.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the role of inflammatory processes in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the prognostic impact of inflammatory markers in predicting long-term risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (CV).

Methods: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in 56 patients with persistent AF (lasting mean 128 days (range 14-960), mean age 65 years (34-84)), 19 healthy volunteers and 19 patients with permanent AF. Patients with persistent AF underwent CV.

Prognostic impact of hs-CRP and IL-6 in patients undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of inflammatory markers in patients with paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation.

Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients, mean age 55 years (range 31 - 81 yrs), with paroxysmal or persistent AF were treated with either segmental or circumferential pulmonary vein isolation ablation technique. All patients presented with sinus rhythm on inclusion.