Variations in platelet proteins associated with st-elevation myocardial infarction: Novel clues on pathways underlying platelet activation in acute coronary syndromes

OBJECTIVE: Our aim in this study was to provide novel information on the molecular mechanisms playing a major role in the unwanted platelet activation associated with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the platelet proteome of 11 STEMI patients to a matched control group of 15 stable chronic ischemic cardiopathy patients. In addition, we did a prospective study to follow the STEMI patients over time. Proteins were separated by high-resolution 2D gel electrophoresis, identified by mass spectrometry, and validated by Western blotting. Platelets from STEMI patients on admission displayed 56 protein spot differences (corresponding to 42 unique genes) compared with the control group. The number of differences decreased with time during the patients' follow-up. Interestingly, the adapter protein CrkL and the active form of Src (phosphorylated in Tyr418) were found to be upregulated in platelets from STEMI patients. Major signaling pathways related to the proteins identified include integrin, integrin-linked kinase, and glycoprotein VI (GPVI) signaling. Interestingly, a study on an independent cohort of patients showed a higher degree of activation of GPVI signaling in STEMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: CrkL, the active form of Src, and GPVI signaling are upregulated in platelets from STEMI patients

Football referees as frst responders in cardiac arrest. Assessment of a Basic Life Support training program.

Aim. To assess football referees´ cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and automated external defbrillator (AED) use in a simulated sport incident scenario, afer a brief training program. Material and Methods. Quasi-experimental study with 35 amateur league football referees. A test – retest of related samples was carried out afer the training program. Teoretical and hands-on session lasted 30 minutes, with 1/10 instructor/participant ratio. CPR skills were measured using Wireless Skill Report sofware and AED use by means of a specifc check list. Results. A third of sample knew what an AED is but only 8% knew how to use it. After training, all participants achieved 70% or higher CPR quality scores and were able to use AED properly (54.2% without any incidence). Mean time to discharge was shorter for participants who accomplished the quality goal (p=0.022). Conclusions. Afer a very brief and simple training program, football referees were able to perform a potentially efective CPR and use an AED correctly in a simulated scenario. Basic life support training should be implemented in football referees´ formative curriculum