Abdominal Infrarenal Aortic Stenosis Approached Through a Full Transradial Approach: A Case Series.

Six consecutive patients (3 men; mean age, 63 ± 14 years; age range, 38-81 years) with infrarenal abdominal aortic stenosis underwent unilateral or bilateral transradial approach for stenting of the aortic lesion. In 4 cases, isolated aortic stenting was performed through single transradial approach (in 2 cases with precise alignment to the proximal end of previously deployed iliac stents), whereas in the other 2 cases bilateral transradial approach was used for aortic stenting followed by bilateral stenting of the proximal iliac arteries. Either a "bare-on-the-wire" or a "support-catheter" technique was used, according to patient anatomy and technical requirements.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and instability of the atherosclerotic plaque: a causative role?

Objective: The aim of this review is to examine the role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in the evolution of atherosclerosis.

Introduction: While the role of PMNs in the evolution of atherosclerosic process has failed until recently to attract much attention, a body of research carried out over the last decade has disclosed the unexpectedly complex behavior of these cells, unraveling an unexpected key role for PMNs in the onset and progression of atheroma.

Methods: A PubMed database search was performed for studies providing evidences on the role of PMNs in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesion.

Serum levels of γ-glutamyltransferase and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Background: Progression of coronary atherosclerosis (ATS) has clinical implications. Serum levels of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), a marker of oxidative stress, predict the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the role of GGT levels in the progression of coronary ATS has never been established.

Inflammatory markers in heart failure: hype or hope?

Heart failure is a growing global epidemic that involves in its pathophysiology a proinflammatory state. Since the first description of elevated cytokine levels in this setting, there has been increasing interest in understanding the role of these molecules in left-ventricular remodeling and function. Over the years, intense research on the 'cytokine theory' of heart failure has allowed evaluation of the role of inflammatory biomarkers not only as pathogenetic mediators, but also as potential tools in the diagnosis and risk stratification of heart failure patients.

[Myeloperoxidase as possible diagnostic and prognostic marker of acute coronary syndrome].

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme stored in azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and macrophages and released into extracellular fluid during inflammatory processes. Several studies have shown its involvement into oxidative stress and inflammation. Recently, MPO has been considered its role as a possible marker of plaque instability and a useful tool for the prognostic evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease.

Microparticles and microRNAs: new players in the complex field of coagulation.

Atherosclerosis is a complex process that begins with endothelial dysfunction, and continues with several inflammatory processes leading, eventually, to plaque rupture and formation of arterial thrombus. Increased platelet reactivity and classical coagulation pathways are not the only players of the whole thrombotic process: microparticles (MPs), irregularly shaped small vesicles released from the plasma membrane after cell activation, apoptosis, or exposure to shear stress have been demonstrated to be involved in such a process. MicroRNAs (MiRs), small-non-coding single-strand RNAs acting as post-transcriptional modulator of target gene expression are expressed in the large majority of eukaryotes.

Microparticles in health and disease: small mediators, large role?

Microparticles are circulating fragments derived from blebbing and shedding of cell membranes through several mechanisms that include activation, apoptosis and cell damage. In the past they were largely considered as unimportant cell "dust", but more refined detection techniques have revealed large variations in their relative proportion and concentration in numerous disease states. Importantly, these conditions include the most prevalent causes of death and disability in our societies, namely cardiovascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory diseases.