Serum cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 associated with the severity of coronary artery disease: indicators of an active inflammatory burden?

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process resulting in coronary artery disease.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between inflammatory markers and the angiographic severity of CAD.

Methods: We measured inflammatory markers in consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Periodontal destruction is associated with coronary artery disease and periodontal infection with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a highly prevalent disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Periodontal disease has been suggested to influence this disease and has been associated with CAD in some epidemiologic studies. However, this relation is still controversial.