Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes intended for reperfusion with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial subgroup analysis.

Background: Aspirin and clopidogrel are recommended for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or undergoing coronary stenting. Ticagrelor, a reversible oral P2Y12-receptor antagonist, provides faster, greater, and more consistent platelet inhibition than clopidogrel and may be useful for patients with acute ST-segment elevation (STE) ACS and planned primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods And Result: Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO), a randomized, double-blind trial, compared ticagrelor with clopidogrel for the prevention of vascular events in 18 624 ACS patients.

Growth-differentiation factor-15 for long-term risk prediction in patients stabilized after an episode of non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. This study assessed the time course and the long-term prognostic relevance of GDF-15 levels measured repetitively in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome during 6 months after the acute event.

Methods And Results: GDF-15 and other biomarkers were measured at randomization, after 6 weeks, and after 3 and 6 months in 950 patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome included in the FRagmin and Fast Revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease II study.

Seasonal genetic influence on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: a twin study.

Background: Although environmental factors, mainly nutrition and UV-B radiation, have been considered major determinants of vitamin D status, they have only explained a modest proportion of the variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. We aimed to study the seasonal impact of genetic factors on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations.

Methodology/principal Findings: 204 same-sex twins, aged 39-85 years and living at northern latitude 60 degrees, were recruited from the Swedish Twin Registry.

Growth-differentiation factor-15 is an independent marker of cardiovascular dysfunction and disease in the elderly: results from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) Study.

Aims: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is emerging as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. Little is known about the pathophysiological basis for the close association of GDF-15 to future CV events. We hypothesized that GDF-15 is related to underlying CV pathologies.

Assessment of P2Y(12) inhibition with the point-of-care device VerifyNow P2Y12 in patients treated with prasugrel or clopidogrel coadministered with aspirin.

Background: Variability in response to thienopyridines has led to the development of point-of-care devices to assess adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. These tests need to be evaluated in comparison to reference measurements of P2Y(12) function during different thienopyridine treatments.

Methods: After a run-in on 75 mg aspirin, 110 subjects were randomized to double-blind treatment with clopidogrel 600 mg loading dose (LD)/75 mg maintenance dose (MD) or prasugrel 60 mg LD/10 mg MD.

Growth-differentiation factor-15 improves risk stratification in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a transforming growth factor-beta-related cytokine that is induced in the heart following ischaemia-reperfusion injury. We explored the prognostic utility of GDF-15 in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving fibrinolytic therapy.

Methods And Results: Circulating levels of GDF-15 were determined by an immunoradiometric assay in 741 STEMI patients who were included in the Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of a New Thrombolytic (ASSENT)-2 and ASSENT-plus trials.

Growth differentiation factor 15 for risk stratification and selection of an invasive treatment strategy in non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: An invasive treatment strategy improves outcome in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome at moderate to high risk. We hypothesized that the circulating level of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) may improve risk stratification.

Methods And Results: The Fast Revascularization during InStability in Coronary artery disease II (FRISC-II) trial randomized patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome to an invasive or conservative strategy with a follow-up for 2 years.

Prognostic value of growth-differentiation factor-15 in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta cytokine superfamily that is induced in the heart after ischemia-and-reperfusion injury. Circulating levels of GDF-15 may provide prognostic information in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Methods And Results: Blood samples were obtained on admission from 2081 patients with acute chest pain and either ST-segment depression or troponin elevation who were included in the Global Utilization of Strategies to Open Occluded Arteries (GUSTO)-IV Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome trial and from a matching cohort of 429 apparently healthy individuals.