Soluble ST2 is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a population-based cohort: the Dallas Heart Study.

Background: ST2, part of the interleukin-1 receptor family, is released from cardiac myocytes under mechanical strain. Soluble ST2 (sST2) concentrations are associated with adverse cardiac events in high-risk cohorts. We evaluated the association of sST2 with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large, low-risk population-based cohort.

Natriuretic peptides in the prognosis and management of acute coronary syndromes.

Over the past decade, an evidence base has accumulated to support natriuretic peptide (NP) testing for diagnosis, risk assessment, and therapeutic monitoring and guidance of patients with heart failure. Investigators have also explored multiple other potential uses for these tests, including risk assessment of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This article discusses the utility of NPs in the diagnosis and management of patients with ACS.

Associations of four circulating chemokines with multiple atherosclerosis phenotypes in a large population-based sample: results from the dallas heart study.

Specific chemokines contribute to vascular inflammation and may be useful biomarkers to detect atherosclerosis. The chemokines CXCL1 and CCL11 have previously been studied in animal or human models of atherosclerosis, while CXCL2 and CCL23 have not. Among 2,454 subjects enrolled in the Dallas Heart Study, a multi-ethnic population-based sample, we measured plasma CCL11, CCL23, CXCL1, and CXCL2, and associated levels with coronary artery calcium (CAC) by computed tomography, and aortic wall thickness, plaque burden, and compliance by magnetic resonance imaging.

Screening the population for left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular systolic dysfunction using natriuretic peptides: results from the Dallas Heart Study.

Background: Identification of individuals in the community with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may allow earlier initiation of disease-modifying treatment. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of the screening performance of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) for LVSD or LVH.

Methods: In 2,429 subjects without a history of heart failure, myocardial infarction, valvular abnormalities, or a serum creatinine >2.

Relationship of apolipoprotein B levels to the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target of lipid-lowering therapy. However, all lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B (apo B) appear to be atherogenic. Preferred targets of therapy therefore may include either the cholesterol in all apo B-containing lipoproteins (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDL-C]) or total apo B itself.

TRAF-1, -2, -3, -5, and -6 are induced in atherosclerotic plaques and differentially mediate proinflammatory functions of CD40L in endothelial cells.

Objective: Several lines of evidence implicate CD40 ligand (CD40L, CD154) as a mediator and marker of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the involvement of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) in CD40 signaling in endothelial cells (ECs) and their expression in atheromata and cells involved in atherogenesis.

Methods And Results: CD40L enhanced the basal expression of TRAF-1, -2, -3, and 6, but not TRAF-5 in ECs.

Pathway analysis of coronary atherosclerosis.

Large-scale gene expression studies provide significant insight into genes differentially regulated in disease processes such as cancer. However, these investigations offer limited understanding of multisystem, multicellular diseases such as atherosclerosis. A systems biology approach that accounts for gene interactions, incorporates nontranscriptionally regulated genes, and integrates prior knowledge offers many advantages.

The endogenous peptide apelin potently improves cardiac contractility and reduces cardiac loading in vivo.

Objective: The endogenous peptide apelin is differentially regulated in cardiovascular disease but the nature of its role in cardiac function remains unclear.

Methods: We investigated the functional relevance of this peptide using ECG and respiration gated magnetic resonance imaging, conductance catheter pressure-volume hemodynamic measurements, and echocardiography in vivo. In addition, we carried out histology and immunohistochemistry to assess cardiac hypertrophy and to localize apelin and APJ in the adult and embryonic mouse heart.

Novel role for the potent endogenous inotrope apelin in human cardiac dysfunction.

Background: Apelin is among the most potent stimulators of cardiac contractility known. However, no physiological or pathological role for apelin-angiotensin receptor-like 1 (APJ) signaling has ever been described.

Methods And Results: We performed transcriptional profiling using a spotted cDNA microarray with 12 814 unique clones on paired samples of left ventricle obtained before and after placement of a left ventricular assist device in 11 patients.