Background Procoagulant platelets are a subset of highly activated platelets with a critical role in thrombin generation. Evaluation of their clinical utility in thrombotic disorders, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), has been thwarted by the lack of a sensitive and specific whole blood assay. Objectives We developed a novel assay, utilizing the cell death marker, GSAO [(4-(N-(S-glutathionylacetyl)amino)phenylarsonous acid], and the platelet activation marker, P-selectin, to identify procoagulant platelets in whole blood by flow cytometry. Patients/Methods Using this assay, we characterized the procoagulant platelet population in healthy controls and a cohort of patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. Results In patients with CAD, compared with patients without CAD, there was a heightened procoagulant platelet response to thrombin (25.2% vs. 12.2%), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (7.8% vs. 2.7%) and thrombin plus collagen (27.2% vs. 18.3%). The heightened procoagulant platelet potential in CAD patients was not associated with other markers of platelet function, including aggregation, dense granule release and activation of α β integrin. Although dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was associated with partial suppression of procoagulant platelets, this inhibitory effect on a patient level could not be predicted by aggregation response to ADP and was not fully suppressed by clopidogrel. Conclusions We report for the first time that procoagulant platelets can be efficiently detected in a few microliters of whole blood using the cell death marker, GSAO, and the platelet activation marker, P-selectin. A heightened procoagulant platelet response may provide insight into the thrombotic risk of CAD and help identify a novel target for antiplatelet therapies in CAD.
With a growing number of patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) operations for both hardware-related complications and routine replacements of impulse generators will be performed more frequently. Failure of DBS systems have to be analyzed thoroughly as this thwarts the enormous efforts required for proper electrode implantation and operative revisions increase the morbidity associated with DBS. A female patient implanted with DBS electrodes for advanced Parkinson's disease presented with straining of the right extension lead and deteriorating gait because of electrode migration. This was due to a malpositioned set screw connector adapting the electrode lead to the extension wire which had been placed below the mastoid process. Following surgical revision with implantation of a new electrode into the STN, electrode dislocation recurred requiring another surgical revision. This was due to renewed connector migration from its parietal position into the cervical region. Straining of extension leads should be recognized as a warning sign for (imminent) electrode dislocation or lead fracture. This may just be the case with connectors located below the mastoid process or in the cervical region, a risk which appears to be increased further with reduced-length extensions. Renewed dislocation of revised extensions may be prevented by securing the position of the connector (e.g. with manipulates).
The cellular action of rapamycin (sirolimus), a natural fermentation product produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus, is mediated by binding to the FK506 binding protein. By inhibiting a kinase known as the target of rapamycin, it restricts the proliferation of smooth-muscle cells by blocking cell-cycle progression at the G1/S transition. The finding that rapamycin possesses both anti-proliferative and antimigratory activity suggests that it could contribute to the control of arterial re-narrowing after percutaneous intervention and control the vascular manifestations of chronic rejection in transplanted hearts. The first clinical trials of implantation of rapamycin- coated stents in obstructive coronary artery lesions have been reported and, in selected patient groups, it appears that the restenosis process has been abolished. Studies are underway to establish the benefits of rapamycin-coated stents in day-to-day interventional practice, including small vessels, long lesions and patients with multivessel disease. With the addition of novel antiplatelet agents and delivery systems, it is possible that the two major limitations of percutaneous coronary intervention - restenosis and stent thrombosis - will be overcome. Cardiac graft loss due to intimal hyperplasia and accelerated atherosclerosis remains the major limitation to long-term survival following cardiac transplantation. Animal studies of rapamycin have suggested that this process can be reduced or abolished. Human studies of the efficacy of rapamycin in preventing both acute rejection and allograft arterial disease are in progress. Concerns regarding toxicity, carcinogenicity, delayed healing and endothelialization remain. As with any new agent or technology, we must remain vigilant to late adverse side-effects.
In applications in which Doppler processing is not possible, such as side-looking intravascular imaging systems, decorrelation methods can be used to estimate blood speed. Here, a method is presented measuring relative blood speed using an FIR filter bank to estimate temporal decorrelation rates. It can be implemented in a modern commercially available ultrasound imaging system with no additional hardware. Both simulations and experiments using an intraluminal scanner appropriate for coronary artery applications have tested the system. In this study, the FIR filter bank is contrasted with previous methods, and its utility is further demonstrated with real-time color flow images from a pig model.
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