The relationship between Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and cardiac MRI findings following primary PCI in patients with acute first time STEMI.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a regulator of mineral metabolism, that has been linked to myocardial remodeling including development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between intact FGF23 (iFGF23), myocardial infarct size and LV remodeling following a first acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: Forty-two consecutive patients with first-time STEMI, single vessel disease, successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included.

Circulating Galectin-3 Levels Are Increased in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease, but Are Not Influenced by Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is involved in cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, and is in use as a biomarker that indicates increased risk in heart failure. This study examined the relationship between Gal-3 levels and acute and old myocardial infarction (MI) in patients assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Methods: Group 1 consisted of 38 patients with ST-elevation MI and single-vessel disease treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

The relationship between markers of extracellular cardiac matrix turnover: infarct healing and left ventricular remodelling following primary PCI in patients with first-time STEMI.

Aims: We investigated the temporal changes in circulating levels of markers of extracellular cardiac matrix (ECCM) turnover and their relationship with infarct size (IS), ejection fraction (EF), and left ventricular (LV) volumes, determined by serial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with first-time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: Forty-two patients with a first-time STEMI, successfully revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) had serum samples taken prior to pPCI, 2, 7 days, 2 months, and 1 year following STEMI for the analysis of the markers of collagen synthesis, and collagen degradation. Late enhancement and cine CMR was performed on Days 2, 7, 2 months, and 1-year post-STEMI.

Myocardial connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) attenuates left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Aims: Myocardial CCN2/CTGF is induced in heart failure of various etiologies. However, its role in the pathophysiology of left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) remains unresolved. The current study explores the role of CTGF in infarct healing and LV remodeling in an animal model and in patients admitted for acute ST-elevation MI.

Increased interleukin-1β levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and remodelling following acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between interleukin (IL)-1-related molecules, infarct size and left ventricular (LV) remodelling following acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Forty-two patients with first-time diagnosis of ST segment elevation MI (STEMI), with a single occluded vessel successfully revascularized by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were recruited to this observational study conducted at a university teaching hospital and followed for 1 year.

Main Outcome Measures: Plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-18 and caspase-1 were analysed before and 2 days, 1 week and 2 months after PCI.

Clustering of 37 circulating biomarkers by exploratory factor analysis in patients following complicated acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The objective of this study was to elucidate the complex interactions between families of circulating biomarkers representing different biochemical responses to the pathophysiology following complicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Blood samples, drawn at a median of 3 days post AMI were obtained from 236 patients with complicated AMI and evidence of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Using exploratory factor analysis, 37 biomarkers were grouped according to their collinearity to each other into clusters.

The prognostic value of circulating markers of collagen turnover after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: We assessed the time profiles and prognostic utility of circulating markers of collagen turnover (CTO) following acute myocardial infarction (MI). In contrast to previous studies, no patient had been pre-treated with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) at the time of initial assessment.

Methods: Plasma levels of N-terminal fragment of type I collagen (PINP), carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), N-terminal fragment of type III collagen (PIIINP), matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of MMPs type-1 (TIMP-1) were assessed in 233 patients following acute MI.

The chemokine network in relation to infarct size and left ventricular remodeling following acute myocardial infarction.

Increased circulating chemokines have been reported during acute myocardial infarction and might give prognostic information about future ischemic events. However, data on the chemokine network in relation to infarct size and measures of left ventricular remodeling after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are lacking. A total of 42 patients with first-time ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction with a single occluded vessel were recruited, and cardiac magnetic resonance was used for serial assessment (2, 7, and 60 days) of infarct size and left ventricular remodeling.

Microvascular obstruction is a major determinant of infarct healing and subsequent left ventricular remodelling following primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aims: We studied the time-dependent relationships between microvascular obstruction (MO), infarct size, and left ventricular (LV) remodelling after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: Forty-two consecutive patients with first-time ST-elevation MI, single-vessel disease, successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included. Microvascular obstruction, infarct size, and LV remodelling were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance.

C-reactive protein, infarct size, microvascular obstruction, and left-ventricular remodelling following acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: This study assessed the relationship between inflammatory mediators and indices of infarct size and left-ventricular (LV) remodelling following successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with first time ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods And Results: Forty-two patients admitted with an occluded single vessel were recruited consecutively. Cardiac magnetic resonance was used for serial assessment (2 days, 1 week, 2 months) of infarct size, microvascular obstruction (MO), and LV remodelling.

[Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocarditis].

Background: Acute myocarditis is a serious condition that is challenging to diagnose. Recent developments in contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (ce-MRI) enable visualization of myocardial damage in patients with myocarditis. The objective of this study was to identify patients in whom ce-MRI could be useful to reach such a diagnosis.

Plasma MMP-2, MMP-9 and N-BNP in long-term survivors following complicated myocardial infarction: relation to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measures of left ventricular structure and function.

Background: Altered activity of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9), has been implicated in the left ventricular (LV) remodeling process occurring after myocardial infarction (MI). In the acute phase, a relation between plasma MMP-9 levels and parameters of LV dysfunction has been demonstrated. The relationship in long-term survivors has not been investigated.

Effect of left ventricular scar size, location, and transmurality on left ventricular remodeling with healed myocardial infarction.

Studies of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) suggest that anterior transmural infarcts are associated with greater left ventricular (LV) remodeling compared with nontransmural nonanterior infarctions. It is unclear whether this relation also exists in long-term survivors of MI. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to explore the relation between myocardial scar size, localization, transmurality, and degree of long-term LV remodeling in patients with healed MI.

Plasma natriuretic peptides up to 2 years after acute myocardial infarction and relation to prognosis: an OPTIMAAL substudy.

Background: Few studies have compared the relative prognostic value of different natriuretic peptides after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). None has described peptide levels beyond the early post-AMI period. This study describes temporal profiles of 4 natriuretic peptides to 2 years after AMI and relationship with outcome.

Thoracic myelitis as a possible cause of myocardial infarction.

During the course of an inflammatory process in the thoracic part of the spinal cord, a previously healthy male suffered two myocardial infarctions in separate coronary territories. A coronary angiogram revealed only minor wall changes in one coronary artery. We hypothesize that the myocardial infarctions may have been caused by vasospastic reactions secondary to his spinal cord pathology, and present the case report and a review of the literature.

Effect of metoprolol CR/XL on exercise tolerance in chronic heart failure - a substudy to the MERIT-HF trial.

Background: Beta-blockade usually causes a slight reduction in exercise capacity among healthy subjects, while more variable results have been observed in chronic heart failure (CHF), probably related to patients studied, methods and agent used. The effect of metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) on peak oxygen uptake (peak VO(2)) in this patient population has not previously been investigated.

Aims: We examined the effect of long-term treatment with the selective beta(1)-receptor blocker metoprolol CR/XL once daily on exercise capacity in patients with CHF.

The effects of chronic, sustained-release moxonidine therapy on clinical and neurohumoral status in patients with heart failure.

Aims: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by elevated plasma norepinephrine (PNE) associated with a poor prognosis. Moxonidine selectively stimulates medullary imidazoline receptors which centrally inhibit sympathetic outflow and potently suppress levels of circulating PNE. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of central sympathetic inhibition on clinical and neurohumoral status in patients with CHF.

Acute hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of moxonidine in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Elevated plasma norepinephrine (PNE) has been shown to be an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Moxonidine selectively stimulates imidazoline receptors located in the medulla, which centrally inhibit sympathetic outflow. PNE is suppressed and peripheral vasodilation reduces systemic blood pressure.