Levels of circulating adhesion molecules in rheumatic mitral stenosis

Factors associated with the development of atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis

“…Evidence of inflammatory changes in pathological specimens of excised rheumatic mitral valves [18] and increase in plasma levels of CRP and circulating adhesion molecules in rheumatic MS suggest an inflammatory process in these patients [19][20][21][22][23]. Previous studies indicated that there is also an association between inflammation and AF [2][3][4].…”

High levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein predict the progression of chronic rheumatic mitral stenosis

“…These may be an inflammatory disease with similarities to other systemetic lesions including atherosclerosis, in which an active inflammatory process is supposed to be essential to disease progression and clinical complications [11]. Recently, increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and circulating adhesion molecules have been demonstrated in patients with CRMS [12][13][14][15], suggesting an ongoing inflammatory process in these patients. However, Little is know, whether elevated hs-CRP levels reflect the progression of CRMS severity.…”

Rheumatic mitral valve stenosis is associated with impaired flow-mediated dilatation

“…It has been suggested that activated valvular endothelium play a role in the initial development of rheumatic valvulitis and the progression of the disease throughout a lifetime [2]. Nevertheless, it was also shown that patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (RMVS) have increased concentrations of cytokines such as von Willebrand factor [3], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [4][5][6], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [4,5] and endothelin-1 [7][8][9] which, when elevated, are also markers of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Thus, we aimed to assess and compare vascular endothelial function in patients with RMVS by using the noninvasive, ultrasound guided technique which evaluates flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.…”

“…Under these conditions cardiac myocytes might react as sensors and creates a persistent signal which generates a complex localized and systemic response with neurohomoral and cytokine production. Accordingly, studies have shown that the concentration of von Willebrand factor [3], E-selectin [5], P-selectin [12] vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [4][5][6], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [4,5] endothelin-1 [7][8][9], tumor necrosing factor-α and interleukin-6 [12] were elevated in patients with RMVS. Elevation of these factors are thought to reflect vascular endothelial dysfunction.…”