Summary. A single nucleotide T to C transition of the gene encoding glycoprotein IIIa leads to a common diallelic polymorphism Leu-333Pro (PLA1/A2). We studied the relationship between the PlA1/A2 polymorphism and platelet function in 80 healthy men, aged 20±25 years. Before aspirin ingestion, bleeding time (BT) was shorter in carriers of the PlA2 than in carriers of the PlA1/A1 allele. At 4 h after ingestion of 300 mg of aspirin, BT became prolonged, and the intergroup difference was enhanced. In seven out of 26 PLA2 allele carriers, aspirin shortened BT on average by 30 s, compared with only one among 54 subjects with the PlA1/A1 genotype. Thus, BT both at baseline and after aspirin depends on the PlA1/A2 polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa. Carriers of the PlA2 allele appear to be more resistant to the antithrombotic action of aspirin.

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BackgroundPhysical activity is generally considered to exert positive effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. However, surprisingly little is known about the delayed effect of professional physical training performed at a young age on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in aging athletes. The present study aimed to assess the impact of long‐lasting professional physical training (endurance and sprint) performed at a young age on the endothelial function and arterial stiffness reported in older age in relation to glycocalyx injury, prostacyclin and nitric oxide production, inflammation, basal blood lipid profile, and glucose homeostasis.Methods and ResultsThis study involved 94 male subjects with varied training backgrounds, including young athletes (mean age ∼25 years), older former high class athletes (mean age ∼60 years), and aged‐matched untrained control groups. Aging increased arterial stiffness, as reflected by an enhancement in pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and stiffness index (P<10−4), as well as decreased endothelial function, as judged by the attenuation of flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery (P=0.03). Surprisingly, no effect of the training performed at a young age on endothelial function and arterial stiffness was observed in the former athletes. Moreover, no effect of training performed at a young age (P>0.05) on blood lipid profile, markers of inflammation, and glycocalyx shedding were observed in the former athletes.ConclusionsOur study clearly shows that aging, but not physical training history, represents the main contributing factor responsible for decline in endothelial function and increase in arterial stiffness in former athletes.

Endothelial function has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance. A number of non-invasive techniques were introduced for its assessment, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), finger plethysmography (RH-PAT) and digital thermal monitoring (DTM). All these methods can be performed simultaneously. In addition, various methods for measuring arterial wall stiffness are available such as: pulse wave analysis (PWA), pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse contour analysis (PCA) and carotid wall distensibility coefficient (DC). Finally, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and ankle brachial index (ABI) are used as surrogate read-outs of atherosclerosis. Here, we briefly describe the advantages, limitations and interrelationships of various methods used for the assessment of endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and present the concept of an integrated evaluation of vascular health based on multiple methods. This strategy may be useful to stratify cardiovascular risk and represents a step towards multiparametric assessment of endothelium for effective endothelium-guided therapy in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

MINS is a common complication after vascular surgery. It occurs more frequently than DVT and is associated with high 1 year mortality.