The hypereosinophilic syndromes (HESs) are characterized by persistent marked eosinophilia (>1500 eosinophils/mm(3)), the absence of a primary cause of eosinophilia (such as parasitic or allergic disease), and evidence of eosinophil-mediated end organ damage. Cardiovascular complications of HES are a major source of morbidity and mortality in these disorders. The most characteristic cardiovascular abnormality in HES is endomyocardial fibrosis. Patients who have an HES also may develop thrombosis, particularly in the cardiac ventricles, but also occasionally in deep veins. Because of the rarity of these disorders, specific guidelines for the management of the cardiac and thrombotic complications of HES are lacking. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of the cardiovascular manifestations of HES.

To cite this article: Maynard DM, Heijnen HFG, Horne MK, White JG, Gahl WA. Proteomic analysis of platelet a-granules using mass spectrometry. 2007; 5: 1945-55. Summary. Background: Platelets have three major types of secretory organelles: lysosomes, dense granules, and a-granules. a-Granules contain several adhesive proteins involved in hemostasis, as well as glycoproteins involved in inflammation, wound healing, and cell-matrix interactions. This article represents the first effort to define the platelet a-granule proteome using mass spectrometry (MS). Methods: We prepared a subcellular fraction enriched in intact a-granules from human platelets using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. a-Granule proteins were separated and identified using sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem MS. Results: In the sucrose fraction enriched in a-granules, we identified 284 non-redundant proteins, 44 of which appear to be new a-granule proteins, on the basis of a literature review. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the presence of Scamp2, APLP2, ESAM and LAMA5 in platelet a-granules for the first time. We identified 65% of the same proteins that were detected in the platelet releasate (J. A. Coppinger et al. [Blood 2004;103: 2096-104]) as well as additional soluble and membrane proteins. Our method provides a suitable tool for analyzing the granule proteome of patients with storage pool deficiencies. J Thromb Haemost

Iron deficiency is one of the most common disorders affecting mankind, and iron deficiency anemia continues to represent a major public health problem worldwide. It is especially common among women of childbearing age due to pregnancy and menstrual blood loss. Additional patient groups include those with other sources of blood loss, malnutrition or gut malabsorption. Iron deficiency anemia remains quite prevalent despite the widespread ability to diagnose the disease and availability of medicinal iron preparations. Therefore, new approaches are needed to effectively manage these patient populations. In this review, the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia are discussed with emphasis placed upon consideration of patient specific features. It is proposed that all patients participate in their own care by helping their physician to identify a tolerable daily iron dose, formulation, and schedule. Dosing cycles are recommended for iron replacement based upon the tolerated daily dose and the total iron deficit. Each cycle consists of 5000mg of oral elemental iron ingested over at least one month with appropriate follow-up. This approach should assist physicians and their patients with the implementation of individualized treatment strategies for patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration to CAD patients mobilizes cells with endothelial progenitor potential from bone marrow, but without objective evidence of cardiac benefit and with the potential for adverse outcomes in some patients.

Prophylactic Ca infusions safely attenuate the marked metabolic effects of citrate administration and promote faster, more comfortable, leukapheresis procedures.