Integrating Soluble Biomarkers and Imaging Technologies in the Identification of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Patients

The clinical utility of a biomarker depends on its ability to identify high-risk individuals to optimally manage the patient. A new biomarker would be of clinical value if it is accurate and reliable, provides good sensitivity and specificity, and is available for widespread application. Data are accumulating on the potential clinical utility of integrating imaging technologies and circulating biomarkers for the identification of vulnerable (high-risk) cardiovascular patients. A multi-biomarker strategy consisting of markers of inflammation, hemostasis and thrombosis, proteolysis and oxidative stress, combined with new imaging modalities (optical coherence tomography, virtual histology plus IVUS, PET) can increase our ability to identify such thombosis-prone patients. In an ideal scenario, cardiovascular biomarkers and imaging combined will provide a better diagnostic tool to identify high-risk individuals and also more efficient methods for effective therapies to reduce such cardiovascular risk. However, additional studies are required in order to show that this approach can contribute to improved diagnostic and therapeutic of atherosclerotic disease

Sedentary subjects have higher PAI-1 and lipoproteins levels than highly trained athletes

Physical exercise protects against the development of cardiovascular disease, partly by lowering plasmatic total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, it is now established that reduction plasmatic adiponectin and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels play a role in the maintenance of an inflammatory state and in the development of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to examine plasma lipid profile and inflammatory markers levels in individual with sedentary lifestyle and/or highly trained athletes at rest. Methods: Fourteen male subjects (sedentary lifestyle n = 7 and highly trained athletes n = 7) were recruited. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast (~12 h). The plasmatic lipid profile (Triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, LDL-oxidized and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio), glucose, adiponectin, C - reactive protein and PAI-1 levels were determined. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TG and PAI-1 levels were lower in highly trained athletes group in relation to sedentary subjects (p < 0.01). In addition, we observed a positive correlation between PAI-1 and total cholesterol (r = 0.78; p < 0.0009), PAI-1 and LDL-c (r = 0.69; p < 0.006) and PAI-1 and TG levels (r = 0.56; p < 0.03). The plasma concentration of adiponectin, CRP, glucose, HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio levels were not different. These results indicate that lifestyle associated with high intensity and high volume exercise induces changes favourable in the lipid profile and PAI-1 levels and may reduce risk cardiovascular diseases

Serum tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels are associated with mortality in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction

Background: In the last years, circulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 levels have been associated with functional outcome in ischemic stroke patients. However the prognostic value of circulating levels of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and MMP-10 in functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients has been scarcely studied. In addition, to our knowledge, serum MMP-9, MMP-10 and TIMP-1 levels in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMCAI) for mortality prediction have not been studied, and these were the objectives of this study. Methods: This was a multicenter, observational and prospective study carried out in six Spanish Intensive Care Units. We included patients with severe MMCAI defined as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) lower than 9. We measured circulating levels of MMP-9, MMP-10, TIMP-1, in 50 patients with severe MMCAI at diagnosis and in 50 healthy subjects. Endpoint was 30-day mortality. Results: Patients with severe MMCAI showed higher serum levels of MMP-9 (p = 0.001), MMP-10 (p 239 ng/mL are associated with 30-day mortality (OR = 5.82; 95 % CI = 1.37-24.73; P = 0.02) controlling for GCS and age. The area under the curve for TIMP-1 as predictor of 30-day mortality was 0.81 (95 % CI = 0.67-0.91; P < 0.001). We found an association between circulating levels of TIMP-1 and MMP-10 (rho = 0.45; P = 0.001), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 (rho = 0.53; P < 0.001), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (rho = 0.70; P < 0.001). Conclusions: The most relevant and new findings of our study, were that serum TIMP-1 levels in MMCAI patients were associated with mortality, and could be used as a prognostic biomarker of mortality in MMCAI patients

Uso de Internet por los farmacéuticos comunitarios de Pontevedra y percepción de su utilidad en la relación con los pacientes

OBJETIVO Conocer el impacto de la utilización de Internet en la práctica profesional de los farmacéuticos comunitarios (FC) de Pontevedra, grado de utilización, finalidad del acceso a la información, barreras encontradas y la percepción que tienen de cómo influye en su relación con los pacientes. MÉTODO Estudio observacional descriptivo, transversal, en el que se administró un cuestionario ad hoc a los a FC de Pontevedra, basado en los encontrados en la literatura y adaptado a las características específicas de nuestra profesión y entorno por un grupo de expertos formado por cinco farmacéuticos comunitarios. RESULTADOS Se recogieron 159 cuestionarios (15,7% de los FC de la provincia). Uso profesional: 119 (74,8%) a diario. La información obtenida de Internet es considerada totalmente muy fiable por el 68,6%. Dificultades percibidas: la implantación de la receta electrónica ha restringido la entrada a algunas webs profesionales (71,1%), falta de tiempo en horario de trabajo (66,0%). Utilización de Internet en la relación con los pacientes: la mayoría de los farmacéuticos encuestados (55,3%) dice recibir 1 o 2 veces al mes consultas de pacientes sobre informaciones relacionadas con la salud obtenidas de Internet. El 18,8% de farmacéuticos creen interesante recibir a diario consultas de pacientes por correo electrónico, el 23,3% 1 o 2 veces a la semana, el 17,0% 1 o 2 veces al mes y el 40,9% no desean recibirlas nunca. CONCLUSIÓN Los farmacéuticos comunitarios de Pontevedra reconocen las posibilidades, pero todavía no perciben la utilidad de la e-interactividad con los pacientes y otros profesionales sanitarios