C-reactive protein levels and common polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene cluster and interleukin-6 gene in patients with coronary heart disease.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Production of CRP is regulated by interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-6. In 160 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) confirmed by angiography, we examined the relationship between CRP level and five polymorphisms in genes coding for these cytokines: IL-1B(-511), IL-1B(+3954), a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in intron 2 of IL-1RN [IL-1RN(VNTR)], IL-6(-174) and IL-6(-572).

Prognostic value of tryptophan load test followed by serum kynurenine determination. Its comparison with pyridoxal-5-phosphate, kynurenine, homocysteine and neopterin amounts.

Tryptophan load test followed by serum kynurenine determination at fasting state and after L-tryptophan loading, as well as serum pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P), homocysteine and neopterin concentrations at fasting state have been examined in 30 healthy individuals and 87 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), verified by coronary angiography. Received results have shown that low serum P-5-P concentration as well as P-5-P deficiency identified by tryptophan load test have been found in 78% of CHD patients, while increased homocysteine concentration above 15 micromol/L in 31.8%, and elevated neopterin concentration above 8.

Comparison of early and late results of a Carbofilm-coated stent versus a pure high-grade stainless steel stent (the Carbostent-Trial).

The long-term success of coronary interventions with stents is largely determined by the development of restenosis. The aim of this study was to compare a Carbofilm-coated and a pure stainless steel stent with regard to early and late adverse events. In this prospective, randomized trial, the Carbofilm-coated Carbostent and Sirius stent (same stent design, newly developed delivery system) were compared with the stainless steel stents S660, S670, and S7 (newly developed delivery system, same principal stent design with a few changes).

[Interventional cardiology in Latvia from 1993 to 2003].

A nationale programme for combatting cardiovascular diseases is being implemented in Letvia. A milestone was reached in 1993 with the establishment of a Letvian Centre for Cardiology. Within 10 years the only cardiac catheterization unit in the country has developed into a centre of excellence.