Platelet Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Phosphorylation A Risk Stratification Marker That Reveals Platelet-Lipid Interplay in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling is activated in platelets by atherogenic lipids, particularly by oxidized low-density lipoproteins, through a CD36-dependent pathway. More interestingly, increased platelet AMPK-induced ACC phosphorylation is associated with the severity of coronary artery calcification as well as acute coronary events in coronary artery disease patients. Therefore, AMPK-induced ACC phosphorylation is a potential marker for risk stratification in suspected coronary artery disease patients. The inhibition of ACC resulting from its phosphorylation impacts platelet lipid content by down-regulating triglycerides, which in turn may affect platelet function. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.Host-parasite interactio

Morphology and beyond: CT of cardiac valves

Multi-detector row CT has developed into a valuable tool for noninvasive imaging of the heart. The major indication of cardiac CT represents the diagnosis or exclusion of coronary artery disease. Owing to its cross-sectional nature, the same data obtained for the coronary ­arteries contain morpho-anatomical information about the cardiac chambers and valves. When scanning in the retrospectively electrocardiography-gated mode, data can be reconstructed in various phases of the cardiac cycle. This enables assessing the movement of the open and closed valves. When performing planimetric measurements of the valve opening and regurgitant orifice areas in case of stenotic and regurgitant valves, estimations of valvular function can be given that correlate well with the results from echocardiography. This article reviews the current evidence regarding the accuracy of CT for imaging the morphology and function of the cardiac valves