Development of a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for quantifying platelet-derived microparticles in human plasma.

Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are considered a marker of platelet activation. They vary considerably in size, and flow cytometry, the predominant method used to assay PMPs, is only detecting larger PMPs (>0.1 microm).

Effects of conventional and aggressive statin treatment on markers of endothelial function and inflammation.

Background: Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disorder. Several large-scale clinical studies demonstrate that markers of inflammation, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, and soluble CD40 ligand, are potent and independent predictors of vascular risk.

Hypothesis: The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of increasing the statin dose from conventional to aggressive treatment on lipids levels, inflammation, and endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Plasma C-reactive protein as a marker of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant recipients.

Objectives: This study was initiated to determine whether heart transplant recipients (HTRs) with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) have increased levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and to examine whether an increase in hsCRP after heart transplantation predicts the development of CAV. Furthermore, the effect of pravastatin on plasma levels of hsCRP in HTRs was investigated.

Background: The relationship between CAV and hsCRP, as well as the effect of statins on hsCRP in HTRs, has not been well established.

[Cardiac natriuretic peptides as markers for cardiac disease--where do we stand today?].

Background: A common denominator of many cardiac diseases is increased intracardiac pressure and wall stretch. This is accompanied by increased secretion from the heart of cardiac natriuretic peptides ANP and BNP and the N-terminal part of their prohormones (Nt-proANP, Nt-pro-BNP).

Material And Methods: Current evidence for the utility of cardiac natriuretic peptide measurements for diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac disease is reviewed.