Robust association of the APOE epsilon4 allele with premature myocardial infarction especially in patients without hypercholesterolaemia: the Aachen study.

Background: Genetic influence on the manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown previously. From many candidate genes the APOE (apolipoprotein E) with the major alleles epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 is in the focus of interest.

Materials And Methods: In 1817 patients admitted for their first left heart catheterization at a premature age (males < 55 and females < 65) the association of APOE alleles with MI was analysed.

Lower serum calcium levels are associated with greater calcium hydroxyapatite deposition in native aortic valves of male patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate the relationship between serum calcium levels and the degree of calcification found in stenotic aortic valves.

Methods: Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, the hydroxyapatite content of 228 excised human stenotic aortic valves was determined and expressed as a percentage of valve mass. Left heart catheterization preceded valve replacement.

Relationship of five inflammatory gene polymorphisms with morbidity and mortality in 533 patients admitted to an ICU.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of polymorphisms of five candidate genes with the outcome of consecutive patients admitted to a medical ICU.

Materials And Methods: The study population was prospectively recruited. Inclusion criteria were admission to the ICU and written informed consent by the patients or their relatives.

Obesity is associated with a slower response to initial phenprocoumon therapy whereas CYP2C9 genotypes are not.

Background: Initiation of phenprocoumon therapy is associated with a variable individual response. The CYP2C9 genotype has been shown to influence the response to warfarin therapy, but such an effect on phenprocoumon therapy remains uncertain.

Method: Two hundred sixty hospital patients started on phenprocoumon were recruited for this study.

Quantification of aortic valve calcification using multislice spiral computed tomography: comparison with atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Objectives: Multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) allows the in vivo detection of valvular calcification. The aim of this study was to validate the quantification of aortic valve calcification (AVC) by MSCT with in vitro measurements by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Methods: In 18 patients with severe aortic stenosis, 16 detector row MSCT (SOMATOM Sensation 16, Siemens, Forchheim, Germany with scan parameters as follows: 420 milliseconds tube rotation time, 12 x 0.

Additive effects of the chemokine receptor 2, vitamin D receptor, interleukin-6 polymorphisms and cardiovascular risk factors on the prevalence of myocardial infarction in patients below 65 years.

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) have been associated with myocardial infarction (MI), while the role of genetic risk factors (GRF) remains undetermined.

Methods: Cineventriculograms of 3436 were analyzed for presence of regional function impairment as sign of MI. Genotyping for genetic polymorphism (vitamin D receptor VDR BsmI, interleukin-6 IL6-174 G/C, chemokine receptor 2 CCR2 64 V/I) was performed.

The amount of calcium-deficient hexagonal hydroxyapatite in aortic valves is influenced by gender and associated with genetic polymorphisms in patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis.

Aims: The study evaluated the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), gene polymorphism, calcification and fibrosis of stenotic aortic valves.

Methods And Results: The calcium content of 187 excised stenotic aortic valves was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Hydroxyproline content was quantified.

The interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism is associated with elevated leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts and reduced physical fitness in young healthy smokers.

Smoking and interleukin-6 are important factors in driving inflammation. This study assessed the relationship between smoking, interleukin-6 genotype, physical fitness, and peripheral blood count in healthy young men. For this interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism -174 genotype-phenotype association study 1,929 healthy German male aviators recruited at the central German Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine were stratified by smoking habits.

Relation between the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T gene polymorphism and blood pressure in a large, homogeneous study population.

The aim of this study was to assess the association of the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism with arterial blood pressure (BP) at rest and under physical stress in a homogeneous large-scale study population. In all, 1903 men who passed routine medical examination for military flying duty were recruited. BP and heart rate were measured at rest, during, and after bicycle ergometry.

Chemokine receptor (CCR2) genotype is associated with myocardial infarction and heart failure in patients under 65 years of age.

Inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Chemokines have an important role in inflammation. The CCR2 chemokine receptor mediates leukocyte chemoattraction, which is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease.

Variants of the CYP11B2 gene predict response to therapy with candesartan.

In a prospective trial, patients with an elevated diastolic blood pressure (above 95 mm Hg) received high-dose (16 mg) or low-dose (8 mg) candesartan in addition to standardised medication. A positive response to treatment was defined as a diastolic blood pressure <85 mm Hg at follow-up. Genotyping for two candidate genes was performed in 116 patients.