Platelet function, coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with previous coronary and cerebrovascular ischemic events

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) history is present in 4-17% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This subgroup of patients is at high risk for both ischemic and bleeding events. The aim of this study was to determine the role of platelet aggregability, coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis in patients with CAD and previous IS or TIA. METHODS: A prospective case-control study that included 140 stable CAD patients divided into two groups: the CASE group (those with a previous IS/TIA, n=70) and the CONTROL group (those without a previous IS/TIA, n=70). Platelet aggregability (VerifyNow Aspirins and VerifyNow P2Y12s), coagulation (fibrinogen and thromboelastography by Reoroxs) and endogenous fibrinolysis (D dimer and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients in the CASE group presented significantly higher systolic blood pressure levels (135.84±16.09 vs 123.68±16.11, po0.01), significantly more previous CABG (25.71% vs 10%, p=0.015) and significantly higher calcium channel blocker usage (42.86% vs 24.29%, p=0.02) than those in the control group. In the adjusted models, low triglyceride values, low hemoglobin values and higher systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with previous IS/TIA (CASE group). Most importantly, platelet aggregability, coagulation and fibrinolysis tests were not independently associated with previous cerebrovascular ischemic events (CASE group). CONCLUSION: Platelet aggregability, coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis showed similar results among CAD patients with and without previous IS/TIA. Therefore, it remains necessary to identify other targets to explain the higher bleeding risk presented by these patients

Correlation between C-Reactive Protein in Peripheral Vein and Coronary Sinus in Stable and Unstable Angina

Background: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is commonly used in clinical practice to assess cardiovascular risk. However, a correlation has not yet been established between the absolute levels of peripheral and central hs-CRP. Objective: To assess the correlation between serum hs-CRP levels (mg/L) in a peripheral vein in the left forearm (LFPV) with those in the coronary sinus (CS) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a diagnosis of stable angina (SA) or unstable angina (UA). Methods: This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted at the Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, and at the Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de Sao Paulo, where CAD patients referred to the hospital for coronary angiography were evaluated. Results: Forty patients with CAD (20 with SA and 20 with UA) were included in the study. Blood samples from LFPV and CS were collected before coronary angiography. Furthermore, analysis of the correlation between serum levels of hs-CRP in LFPV versus CS showed a strong linear correlation for both SA (r = 0.993, p < 0.001) and UA (r = 0.976, p < 0.001) and for the entire sample (r = 0.985, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest a strong linear correlation between hs-CRP levels in LFPV versus CS in patients with SA and UA

Gene mutations of platelet glycoproteins and response to tirofiban in acute coronary syndrome

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Glycoprotein inhibitors (abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban) are used in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction before percutaneous coronary intervention. Of these, tirofiban is the least effective. We hypothesized that the response to tirofiban might be associated with glycoprotein gene mutations. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study at Emergency Unit, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo. METHOD: Intrahospital evolution and platelet aggregation in response to tirofiban were analyzed in relation to four glycoprotein mutations in 50 patients indicated for percutaneous coronary intervention: 17 (34%) with unstable angina and 33 (66%) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Platelet aggregation was analyzed using the Born method. Blood samples were obtained before and one hour after tirofiban infusion. Glycoproteins Ia (807C/T ), Ib (Thr/Met) , IIb (Ile/Ser ) and IIIa (PIA ) were the mutations selected. RESULTS: Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, previous coronary artery disease and stroke were similar between the groups. Mutant glycoprotein IIIa genotypes had lower platelet aggregation before tirofiban administration than that of the wild genotype (41.0% ± 22.1% versus 55.9% ± 20.8%; P = 0.035). Mutant glycoprotein IIIa genotypes correlated moderately with lower platelet inhibition (r = -0.31; P = 0.030). After tirofiban administration, platelet glycoprotein Ia, Ib, IIb and IIIa mutations did not influence the degree of inhibition of platelet aggregation or intrahospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations of glycoproteins Ia, Ib, IIb and IIIa did not influence platelet aggregation in response to tirofiban in patients with unstable angina and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Comparison of Resveratrol Supplementation and Energy Restriction Effects on Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Vascular Reactivity: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Chronic sympathetic nervous system activation is associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiometabolic disease, which may be modulated by resveratrol (RSV) and energy restriction (ER). This study aimed to examine the effects of RSV and ER on plasma noradrenaline (NA), flow-mediated vasodilation (ed-FMD), and endothelium-independent nitrate-mediated vasodilation (ei-NMD). Methods: The study included 48 healthy adults randomized to 30-days intervention of RSV or ER. Results: Waist circumference, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, apoA-I, and plasma NA decreased in the ER group, whilst RSV increased apoB and total cholesterol, without changing plasma NA. No effects on vascular reactivity were observed in both groups. Plasma NA change was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.443; p = 0.002), triglycerides (r = 0.438; p = 0.002), apoA-I (r = 0.467; p = 0.001), apoB (r = 0.318; p = 0.032) changes, and ei-NMD (OR = 1.294; 95%CI: 1.021–1.640). Conclusions: RSV does not improve cardiometabolic risk factors, sympathetic activity, and endothelial function. ER decreases plasma NA and waist circumference as well as improves blood lipids, but does not modify endothelial function. Finally, plasma NA was associated with ei-NMD, which could be attributed to a higher response to nitrate in patients with greater resting sympathetic vasoconstriction

Troponina cardíaca T para estratificação de risco na insuficiência cardíaca crônica descompensada Troponina cardiaca T para estratificación de riesgo en la insuficiencia cardiaca crónica descompensada Cardiac troponin T for risk stratification in decompensated chronic heart failure

FUNDAMENTO: As troponinas cardíacas são marcadores altamente sensíveis e específicos de lesão miocárdica. Esses marcadores foram detectados na insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e estão associadas com mau prognóstico. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação da troponina T (cTnT) e suas faixas de valores com o prognóstico na IC descompensada. MÉTODOS: Estudaram-se 70 pacientes com piora da IC crônica que necessitaram de hospitalização. Na admissão, o modelo de Cox foi utilizado para avaliar as variáveis capazes de predizer o desfecho composto por morte ou re-hospitalização em razão de piora da IC durante um ano. RESULTADOS: Durante o seguimento, ocorreram 44 mortes, 36 re-hospitalizações por IC e 56 desfechos compostos. Na análise multivariada, os preditores de eventos clínicos foram: cTnT (cTnT > 0,100 ng/ml; hazard ratio (HR) 3,95 intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%: 1,64-9,49, p = 0,002), diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (DDVE >70 mm; HR 1,92, IC95%: 1,06-3,47, p = 0,031) e sódio sérico (Na <135 mEq/l; HR 1,79, IC95%: 1,02-3,15, p = 0,044). Para avaliar a relação entre a elevação da cTnT e o prognóstico na IC descompensada, os pacientes foram estratificados em três grupos: cTnT-baixo (cTnT < 0,020 ng/ml, n = 22), cTnT-intermediário (cTnT > 0,020 e < 0,100 ng/ml, n = 36) e cTnT-alto (cTnT > 0,100 ng/ml, n = 12). As probabilidades de sobrevida e sobrevida livre de eventos foram: 54,2%, 31,5%, 16,7% (p = 0,020), e 36,4%, 11,5%, 8,3% (p = 0,005), respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A elevação da cTnT está associada com mau prognóstico na IC descompensada, e o grau dessa elevação pode facilitar a estratificação de risco.<br>FUNDAMENTO: Las troponinas cardíacas son marcadores altamente sensibles y específicos de lesión miocárdica. Se las detectaron en la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) y están asociadas con mal pronóstico. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación de la troponina T (cTnT) y sus franjas de valores con el pronóstico en la IC descompensada. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron a 70 pacientes con empeoramiento de la IC crónica que necesitaron hospitalización. Al ingreso, se empleó el modelo de Cox para evaluar las variables capaces de predecir el desenlace conformado por muerte o rehospitalización en razón de empeoramiento de la IC durante un año. RESULTADOS: Durante el seguimiento, ocurrieron 44 muertes, 36 rehospitalizaciones por IC y 56 desenlaces compuestos. En el análisis multivariado, los predictores de eventos clínicos fueron: cTnT (cTnT > 0,100 ng/ml; hazard ratio (HR) 3,95 intervalo de confianza (IC) 95%: 1,64-9,49, p = 0,002), diámetro diastólico final del ventrículo izquierdo (DDVI >70 mm; HR 1,92, IC95%: 1,06-3,47, p = 0,031) y sodio sérico (Na <135 mEq/l; HR 1,79, IC95%: 1,02-3,15, p = 0,044). Para avaluar la relación entre la elevación de la cTnT y el pronóstico en la IC descompensada, se dividieron a los pacientes en tres grupos: cTnT-bajo (cTnT < 0,020 ng/ml, n = 22), cTnT-intermediario (cTnT > 0,020 y < 0,100 ng/ml, n = 36) y cTnT-alto (cTnT > 0,100 ng/ml, n = 12). Las probabilidades de sobrevida y sobrevida libre de eventos fueron: 54,2%, 31,5%, 16,7% (p = 0,020), y 36,4%, 11,5%, 8,3% (p = 0,005), respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: La elevación de la cTnT está asociada con mal pronóstico en la IC descompensada, y el grado de esa elevación puede facilitar la estratificación de riesgo.<br>BACKGROUND: The cardiac troponins are highly sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury. They have been detected in heart failure (HF) and are associated with a bad prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and its ranges with prognosis in decompensated HF. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with chronic HF worsening that needed hospitalization were studied. Cox model was used to evaluate the variables at admission capable of predicting the combined outcome that consisted of death or re-hospitalization due to HF worsening during a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: During the follow-up, there were 44 deaths, 36 re-hospitalizations due to HF and 56 combined outcomes. At the multivariate analysis, the predictors of clinical events were the cTnT (cTnT >0.100 ng/mL; hazard ratio [HR] 3.95 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-9.49, p = 0.002), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDD >70 mm; HR 1.92, 95%CI: 1.06-3.47, p = 0.031) and serum sodium (Na <135 mEq/L; HR 1.79, 95%CI: 1.02-3.15, p = 0.044). To evaluate the association between the cTnT increase and the prognosis in decompensated HF, the patients were stratified in three groups: low-cTnT (cTnT <0.020 ng/ml, n = 22), intermediate-cTnT (cTnT >0.020 and <0.100 ng/ml, n = 36), and high-cTnT (cTnT >0.100 ng/ml, n = 12).The probabilities of survival and event-free survival were 54.2%, 31.5%, 16.7% (p = 0.020) and 36.4%, 11.5%, 8.3% (p = 0.005), respectively. CONCLUSION: The increase in cTnT is associated with a bad prognosis in decompensated HF and the degree of this increase can help the risk stratification

Effects of Coffee on Sirtuin-1, Homocysteine, and Cholesterol of Healthy Adults: Does the Coffee Powder Matter?

Background: Coffee is one of the most popular beverages globally and contains several bioactive compounds that are relevant to human health. Many nutritional strategies modulate sirtuin-1, thereby impacting aging and cardiometabolic health. This study investigated the influence of different blended coffees on serum sirtuin-1, blood lipids, and plasma homocysteine. Methods: An eight-week randomized clinical trial that included 53 healthy adults of both sexes analyzed the effects of daily intake of 450 to 600 mL of pure Arabica or blended (Arabica + Robusta) coffee intake of filtered coffee on blood sirtuin-1, lipids, and homocysteine. Results: Both Arabica and blended coffees similarly increased serum sirtuin-1 concentration, from 0.51 to 0.58 ng/mL (p = 0.004) and from 0.40 to 0.49 ng/mL (p = 0.003), respectively, without changing plasma homocysteine, folic acid, glucose, and CRP. However, the blended coffee intake increased total cholesterol from 4.70 to 5.17 mmol/L (p p p < 0.001). Conclusion: Both coffee powders increased sirtuin-1 expression, but our results suggest that blended coffee had hypercholesterolemic effects which could increase cardiovascular risk. Therefore, preference should be given to Arabica coffee for the best cardiometabolic benefits of coffee

The Interplay of Sirtuin-1, LDL-Cholesterol, and HDL Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Energy Restriction and Atorvastatin on Women with Premature Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: HDL function has gained prominence in the literature as there is a greater predictive capacity for risk in early coronary artery disease when compared to the traditional parameters. However, it is unclear how dietary energy restriction and atorvastatin influence HDL function. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with 39 women with early CAD divided into three groups (n = 13): energy restriction (30% of VET), atorvastatin (80 mg), and control. Analyses of traditional biochemical markers (lipid and glucose profile), circulating Sirt-1, and HDL function (lipid composition, lipid transfer, and antioxidant capacity). Results: Participants&rsquo; mean age was 50.5 &plusmn; 3.8 years. Energy restriction increased Sirt-1 by 63.6 pg/mL (95%CI: 1.5&ndash;125.7; p = 0.045) and reduced BMI by 0.8 kg/m2 (95%CI: &minus;1.349&ndash;&minus;0.273; p = 0.004) in a manner independent of other cardiometabolic factors. Atorvastatin reduced LDL-c by 40.0 mg/dL (95%CI: &minus;69.910&ndash;&minus;10.1; p = 0.010). Increased Sirt-1 and reduced BMI were independently associated with reduced phospholipid composition of HDL (respectively, &beta; = &minus;0.071; CI95%:&minus;0.136&ndash;&minus;0.006; p = 0.033; &beta; = 7.486; CI95%:0.350&ndash;14.622; p = 0.040). Reduction in BMI was associated with lower HDL-free cholesterol (&beta; = 0.818; CI95%:0.044&ndash;1.593; p = 0.039). LDL-c reduction by statins was associated with reduced maximal lipid peroxide production rate of HDL (&beta; = 0.002; CI95%:0.000&ndash;0.003; p = 0.022) and total conjugated diene generation (&beta; = 0.001; CI95%:0.000&ndash;0.001; p = 0.029). Conclusion: This study showed that energy restriction and atorvastatin administration were associated with changes in lipid profile, serum Sirt-1 concentrations, and HDL function