Clinical proteomics identifies urinary CD14 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease.

Inflammation plays a key role in coronary artery disease (CAD) and other manifestations of atherosclerosis. Recently, urinary proteins were found to be useful markers for reflecting inflammation status of different organs. To identify potential biomarker for diagnosis of CAD, we performed one-dimensional SDS-gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Plasma renin level and aldosterone to renin ratio are associated with presence of carotid plaques in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Introduction: We aimed to determine the association between plasma aldosterone and renin levels as well as their ratios with carotid plaques in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials And Methods: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score were evaluated in 111 patients with stable CAD. Plasma renin and aldosterone levels were measured in all patients.

Postchallenge responses of nitrotyrosine and TNF-alpha during 75-g oral glucose tolerance test are associated with the presence of coronary artery diseases in patients with prediabetes.

Background: Meta-analysis has demonstrated an exponential relationship between 2-hr postchallenge hyperglycemia and coronary artery disease (CAD). Pulsatile hyperglycemia can acutely increase proinflammatory cytokines by oxidative stress. We hypothesized that postchallenge proinflammatory and nitrosative responses after 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (75 g-OGTT) might be associated with CAD in patients without previously recognized type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Association between wall shear stress and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with never treated essential hypertension.

Background: Wall shear stress (WSS) has been shown to be a critical determinant of vessel diameter implicated in vascular remodeling and atherogenesis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) have been used as relevant indictors for carotid atherosclerosis. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between hemodynamic parameters in the common carotid artery (CCA) and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis in untreated hypertensive patients.

Effects of verapamil and procainamide on acute atrial electrical remodeling induced by short-term rapid atrial pacing in humans.

Atrial electrical remodeling (ER) after spontaneous or pacing-induced atrial fibrillation has been previously described in humans. We investigated atrial ER induced by a 5-minute period of rapid atrial pacing and the pharmacologic effects of verapamil and procainamide on this atrial ER phenomenon. The atrial effective refractory periods (ERPs) at drive cycle lengths of 400 (ERP 400 ) and 600 (ERP 600 ) ms, at five representative atrial sites (high right atrium [HRA]; proximal, middle and distal coronary sinus; interatrial septum), were determined in 20 patients at baseline and immediately after cessation of a 5-minute period of rapid pacing from the HRA at a rate of 150 bpm.

Reactive hyperemic pre-ejection shear stress of brachial artery determines endothelial function in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

The aim of this study was to identify which phase of wall shear stress (SS) augmentation during reactive hyperemia (RH) is the crucial determinant of endothelial reactivity. Fifty-three patients with untreated essential hypertension were enrolled. A 7.

Validation of a new index for estimating arterial stiffness: measurement of the QPV interval by Doppler ultrasound.

Background: Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a relevant indicator of arterial stiffness, can be measured noninvasively with a variety of automatic devices, but most are complexly equipped. We developed a novel index for estimating arterial stiffness as "QPV interval," which was determined by means of surface electrocardiogram and Doppler ultrasound of the brachial artery simultaneously.

Hypothesis: This study aimed to validate the QPV interval as an exact and convenient index for estimation of arterial stiffness.

Terlipressin-related acute myocardial infarction: a case report and literature review.

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after the administration of terlipressin in patients with hemorrhagic esophageal varices is a rare but life-threatening complication. We report the case of a 73-year-old female patient with esophageal variceal bleeding complicated with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after intravenous injection of terlipressin. We discuss the underlying mechanisms of terlipressin-related acute myocardial infarction and review the literature.