Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Michael B. Boffa
Summary: Elevated Lp(a) levels are a causal risk factor for atherothrombotic disorders, but the exact pathological mechanisms are not fully understood.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Seung Hun Lee, Hyun Kuk Kim, Jong-Hwa Ahn, Min Gyu Kang, Kye-Hwan Kim, Jae Seok Bae, Sang Young Cho, Jin-Sin Koh, Yongwhi Park, Seok Jae Hwang, Diana A. Gorog, Udaya S. Tantry, Kevin P. Bliden, Paul A. Gurbel, Jin-Yong Hwang, Young-Hoon Jeong
Summary: This study evaluated thrombogenicity indices and their prognostic implications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It found that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients had higher platelet-fibrin clot strength and lower fibrinolytic activity compared to non-AMI patients. The combined phenotype of high clot strength and low fibrinolytic activity was associated with post-PCI atherothrombotic events only in AMI patients.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Line H. Evensen, Aaron R. Folsom, James S. Pankow, John-Bjarne Hansen, Matthew A. Allison, Mary Cushman, Pamela L. Lutsey
Summary: The study confirmed associations between various biomarkers (such as D-dimer, factor VIII, and IL-6) and inflammatory markers (such as CRP, fibrinogen, and PAP) with the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). A novel association was also found between PAP levels and VTE risk.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jordan R. Yaron, Liqiang Zhang, Qiuyun Guo, Shelley E. Haydel, Alexandra R. Lucas
Summary: The processes of clot formation and dissolution, orchestrated by a series of serine protease cascades, play critical roles in infection, vascular or tissue injury, and immune responses. These cascades involve complex interactions between proteases and inhibitors, affecting coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammatory responses.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daishen Luo, Erika M. Chelales, Millicent M. Beard, Nithya Kasireddy, Damir B. Khismatullin
Summary: The study introduces a containerless drop-of-blood method for coagulation analysis, termed i-QATT (TM), which can rapidly detect hyper- and hypo-coagulable states and identify single deficiency in coagulation factors.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andrew P. DeFilippis, Patrick J. Trainor, George Thanassoulis, Lyndia C. Brumback, Wendy S. Post, Michael Y. Tsai, Sotirios Tsimikas
Summary: This study identified two new atherothrombotic factors that are significantly associated with incident ASCVD events, one representing thrombotic propensity and the other representing fibrinolytic propensity. These factors remained significantly associated with ASCVD events even after controlling for traditional risk factors.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Alberto Zanetto, Patrick Northup, Lara Roberts, Marco Senzolo
Summary: Hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis experience a rebalanced haemostasis, but this balance can easily be disrupted, leading to bleeding. Acute kidney injury, bacterial infections/sepsis, and progression to acute-on-chronic liver failure further increase the risk of bleeding. Unfortunately, there is no single laboratory method to accurately assess bleeding risk and guide preventive measures. Understanding the haemostatic alterations during acute illness could improve the management of these patients.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryogo Yoshii, Teiji Sawa, Hidetake Kawajiri, Fumimasa Amaya, Kenichi A. Tanaka, Satoru Ogawa
Summary: This study compared the ClotPro system with ROTEM and plasma coagulation assays in cardiac surgery patients. The results showed a strong correlation between ClotPro and ROTEM, with EX-test and IN-test parameters being interchangeable. ClotPro was capable of emulating well-established ROTEM thresholds, providing a new tool for assessing hemostasis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Sabina Ugovsek, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies reduce LDL cholesterol levels and moderately decrease Lp(a) levels by upregulating LDL receptors. They also have the ability to decrease platelet aggregation and activation, increase platelet responsiveness to acetylsalicylic acid, decrease the incidence of venous thromboembolism, and play a role in reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Johannes Thaler, Ton Lisman, Peter Quehenberger, Lena Hell, Philipp Schwabl, Bernhard Scheiner, Theresa Bucsics, Rienk Nieuwland, Cihan AY, Michael Trauner, Ingrid Pabinger, Thomas Reiberger, Mattias Mandorfer
Summary: This study investigated the coagulation system in ascites of patients with cirrhosis and found that ascitic fluid was procoagulant with high extracellular vesicle-associated tissue factor activity. Fibrinolytic enzymes were activated in ascitic fluid, potentially re-entering the systemic circulation and inducing systemic fibrinolysis. Plasma D-dimer levels were independently linked to ascites severity in a separate cohort of patients.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claire S. Whyte, Akriti Rastogi, Ellis Ferguson, Michela Donnarumma, Nicola J. Mutch
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of cryoprecipitate and two fibrinogen concentrates in restoring clot integrity in a trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) model. Results showed that FibCLOT(R) was superior in normalizing clot structure and stabilizing clots against mechanical and fibrinolytic degradation compared to the other treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jikang Wang, Cheol Ung Choi, Sehyun Shin
Summary: In this study, we propose an innovative method of microfluidic thromboelastography (mu-TEG) that rapidly measures the viscoelastic properties of blood coagulation in oscillating flow through circular tubes. The mu-TEG system showed good agreement with the TEG5000 and can be a useful tool for analyzing hemostasis and fibrinolysis in emergency and operating rooms.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nicholas H. Adamstein, Jean G. MacFadyen, Lynda M. Rose, Robert J. Glynn, Amit K. Dey, Peter Libby, Ira A. Tabas, Nehal N. Mehta, Paul M. Ridker
Summary: The study demonstrates that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can predict cardiovascular events and mortality risk, and can be reduced by anti-inflammatory therapy with canakinumab.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alvaro Petersen-Uribe, Marcel Kremser, Anne-Katrin Rohlfing, Tatsiana Castor, Kyra Kolb, Valerie Dicenta, Frederic Emschermann, Bo Li, Oliver Borst, Dominik Rath, Karin Anne Lydia Mueller, Meinrad Paul Gawaz
Summary: Platelets play a significant role in atherothrombosis, and this study found that they are a major source of PCSK9 in coronary artery disease (CAD). PCSK9 released by platelets contributes to platelet activation and thrombo-inflammation, with inhibition of PCSK9 showing beneficial effects in reducing these processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Benedikt Treml, Bernd Wallner, Cornelia Blank, Dietmar Fries, Wolfgang Schobersberger
Summary: This study provides a systematic review of the impact of altitude on the blood system. The results suggest that hypoxia does not trigger hypercoagulability and increase the risk of thromboembolic disorders in healthy individuals.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sabina Ugovsek, Janja Zupan, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with cardiovascular events. The clinical indicator of inflammation, C-reactive protein, is well-characterized and standardized. Current drug therapies focus on reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but do not provide sufficient protection against recurrent cardiovascular events. Residual inflammation may contribute to this recurrence. Statins, ezetimibe, fibrates, niacin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, bempedoic acid, ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid, and antisense oligonucleotides have been studied for their effects on inflammation and their potential role in reducing cardiovascular events, with a particular focus on C-reactive protein.
ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Max Lenz, Manuel Salzmann, Cosmin Ciotu, Christoph Kaun, Konstantin A. Krychtiuk, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Miran Sebestjen, Laura Goederle, Sabine Rauscher, Zoriza Krivaja, Christoph J. Binder, Kurt Huber, Christian Hengstenberg, Bruno K. Podesser, Michael J. M. Fischer, Johann Wojta, Philipp J. Hohensinner, Walter S. Speidl
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of Na+ influx modulation in cellular response to inflammation. Ranolazine, a known antianginal drug, reduces intracellular Na+ levels and shows anti-inflammatory effects in both human patients and a mouse atherosclerotic disease model.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Sabina Ugovsek, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies reduce LDL cholesterol levels and moderately decrease Lp(a) levels by upregulating LDL receptors. They also have the ability to decrease platelet aggregation and activation, increase platelet responsiveness to acetylsalicylic acid, decrease the incidence of venous thromboembolism, and play a role in reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tadeja Sotler, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: Disturbances in lipid metabolism are a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an important protein in lipid metabolism that is also involved in inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerotic plaque development. PCSK9 has been linked to inflammation and plays a role in the initiation and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Experimental studies have shown that an increased concentration of PCSK9 accelerates endothelial cell apoptosis and impairs endothelial function, creating conditions for the development of atherosclerosis. PCSK9 inhibitors can improve clinical outcomes through both lipid-dependent and lipid-independent pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Sernek, Rok Kamnikar, Miran Sebestjen, Anja Boc, Vinko Boc
Summary: This study investigated the association between the number of CD34(+) hematopoietic cells in the peripheral blood of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and their functional and atherogenic factors. The results showed that the number of CD34(+) cells was associated with the claudication distance and differed between patients with and without type II diabetes and active smokers, past smokers, and non-smokers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: This study found that the beneficial effects of PCSK9 inhibitors on arterial wall properties in patients with coronary artery disease and high Lp(a) levels may be attenuated by risk factors such as smoking and diabetes.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sabina Ugovsek, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Sanjo Finderle, Gregor Poglajen, Renata Okrajsek, Bojan Vrtovec, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between endothelial dysfunction and the number of CD34(+) cells and TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure. The results suggest that FMD and TNF-alpha are significant predictors of CD34(+) cell counts.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Katja Hrovat, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Janja Zupan, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: Besides lipids, inflammation, angiogenesis, coagulation, and fibrinolysis play important roles in coronary artery disease (CAD). The study found significant differences in the expression of IL1B, VEGFA, and F3 between controls and patients with CAD, with IL1B showing significant correlations with lipids. Treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors increased VEGFA and F3 expression, while decreasing SERPINE expression.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Ales Blinc, Katarina Trebusak Podkrajsek, Miran Sebestjen
Summary: Lipoprotein(a) levels are associated with coronary artery disease risk, with specific genetic variants in the LPA gene playing a role. These genetic variations are related to Lp(a) levels, but do not show significant associations with arterial wall properties.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Surgery
Gregor Poglajen, Rok Zbacnik, Sabina Frljak, Gregor Zemljic, Andraz Cerar, Renata Okrajsek, Miran Sebestjen, Bojan Vrtovec
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tina Levstek, Nik Podkrajsek, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Miran Sebestjen, Katarina Trebusak Podkrajsek
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CRP rs1800947, TNFA rs1800629, and IL6 rs1800795 polymorphisms with the development and treatment of atherosclerosis. The findings suggest a possible role of the IL6 rs1800795 polymorphism in modulating inflammation.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE
(2022)