Background Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is involved in the recruitment of monocytes into the arterial vessel wall as one of the major events leading to atherosclerotic vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and ResultsThe study group comprised 263 volunteers aged between 18 and 85 years who were admitted to hospital or clinic for scheduled invasive and non-invasive diagnostic procedures. MCP-1 serum levels were determined using a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In each patient, the coronary risk factors (CRF), such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, obesity, positive family history, and smoking were evaluated. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and hemoglobinA1C levels were determined. Patients with CAD proven by angiography had significantly increased MCP-1 levels. In patients without CAD, the increase in MCP-1 depended on the number of CRF. As a marker for endothelial activation the soluble adhesion molecules, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule and soluble E-selectin were measured and both markers were significantly elevated in patients with CAD or multiple CRF when compared with patients without CRF. Although this is not a direct proof, endothelial activation could contribute to elevated MCP-1 levels in atherosclerosis. Conclusion Elevated MCP-1 serum levels could serve as a direct marker of the inflammatory activity in patients at risk for coronary artery and other atherosclerotic vascular diseases. (Circ J 2005; 69: 1484 -1489

We observed an amelioration of the proinflammatory phenotype on monocytes, DC and PMN, as well as a reduced ROS production in PAD patients under home-based exercise, paralleled by an increased walking distance. Our data suggest that a reduced inflammatory state might be achieved by regular walking exercise, possibly in a dimension proportionately to changes in walking distance.

Qualitative and semiquantitative contrast-enhanced (CE) dynamic perfusion MRI techniques are established as noninvasive diagnostic means of assessing coronary artery disease. However, to date quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) has not reached the same acceptance as MBF quantification with nuclear techniques. To validate quantification of MBF at rest using the extracellular contrast agent (CA) Gd-DTPA, we performed an animal study in a pig model of acute myocardial ischemia. We quantified MBF from MRI data with a mathematical model ( Most clinical studies are based on the use of extracellular CAs, such as Gd-DTPA. Several methods have been described for the quantification of MBF with Gd-DTPA (5,6). Preliminary results from studies using a two-compartment model consisting of a vascular compartment volume and the interstitial space have shown that quantification of MBF with the extracellular CA Gd-DTPA should be possible (7).However, to date quantification of resting MBF with Gd-DTPA and the MMID4 model has not been validated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate MBF quantification with the clinically available CA Gd-DTPA and the MMID4 model in a pig model of acute ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODSWith the approval of the local animal care committee, we performed this study in an open-chest pig model of acute myocardial ischemia (n ϭ 6; weight ϭ 24 -30 kg). The pigs were ventilated with supplemental oxygen and anesthetized with thiopental sodium before a left-side thoracotomy was performed. The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was dissected free, and a mechanical occluder was wrapped around the artery. During the perfusion measurements the diameter of the artery was reduced manually. Simultaneously, blood flow in the LAD was measured with a ultrasound transit time flow meter (CM1000; Medi-Stim, Oslo, Norway).In each animal, perfusion measurements were performed during normal LAD blood flow and during two different degrees of LAD stenosis. To achieve the two degrees of stenosis, the mechanical occluder was adjusted under control of the transit time flow meter. LAD blood flow values of approximately 50% and 25% of the blood flow value measured without occlusion were obtained. To achieve stable blood flow conditions in the LAD, the degree of the stenosis was kept fixed for at least 30 min before the MRI and microsphere perfusion measurements were performed.At each perfusion state (normal blood flow in the LAD, and at both degrees of LAD stenosis) a reference perfusion measurement was performed with the use of microspheres (10). For this purpose, fluorescent microspheres (Triton Technology Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) were injected via a left arterial catheter (11) prior to the MRI perfusion measurements. We were able to obtain more than one microsphere blood flow measurement in each animal by using different colors of fluorescent microspheres. To allow calculation of absolute blood flow rates, a reference blood sample of 10 ml was taken from the abdominal aorta over a per...

The prevalence of Tako-Tsubo syndrome is about 2%, therefore this syndrome has to be considered in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Despite the life-threatening complications during the acute phase, a complete regression of the contraction abnormality is often reported.

Myocardial infarct size measurements are a function of time postcontrast when inversion time is held constant regardless of the contrast agent dose. These data underscore the fact that a standardized imaging protocol that defines how the appropriate inversion time should be selected is needed for comparison of results obtained at various cMR sites.