Hepatitis C virus eradication with direct-acting antiviral improves insulin resistance.

Sustained virological response (SVR) after interferon-based therapy is associated with improvement of insulin resistance (IR) in HCV-infected patients. Few data are available in the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) era, especially in cirrhotic patients. We prospectively evaluated the long-term effect of DAAs on IR. Patients treated with DAAs between May 2015 and December 2016 in 3 tertiary care centres were recruited. Patients with diabetes were excluded. Biochemical and virological data were collected at baseline, 12/24/48 weeks (W) after the end of therapy (EOT). Presence of IR was defined by a 'homeostasis model assessment index for IR' [HOMA-IR])> 2.5. Liver fibroscan was performed at baseline, at 24/48W after EOT. Hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled (mean age 58 years, M/F 85/53, GT1 61%, 68.8% cirrhotic). Sixty-eight patients (94/138) had IR. Patients with IR had significantly higher stiffness than patients without it (23 ± 12 vs 15 ± 8; P < .0001). SVR12 was achieved in 135 (98%) patients, and 124 (90%) patients reached the 48W post-EOT. At this time point, the percentage of patients with IR significantly decreased to 49% (P = 0,01). HOMA-IR was significantly lower than baseline (1.8 vs 3; P < .001), and this was related to a significant reduction of insulin level (11.7 ± 6.3 vs 16.4 ± 8.3). High BMI was associated with a significantly lower probability of achieving a non-IR status at 24W (P = .05) and 48W (P = .03).In conclusion, SVR following DAAs led to a significant reduction of IR, even in patients with cirrhosis. Nevertheless, IR can persist after the achievement of SVR, especially in patients with high BMI.

Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a High-Risk Surgical Patient: Combined Percutaneous Transfemoral TAVI and EVAR Procedure.

A 78-year-old man was referred for surgical treatment of a 55 x 59 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, clinical and instrumental data revealed a more complex case than was initially thought, the patient having a large AAA in the setting of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis with multiple comorbidities. Following multidisciplinary discussion, a combined transcatheter aortic valve implantation and endovascular aneurysm repair was performed. The present case represents a good example of the importance of the heart team in the project of tailored operative strategies, and in the optimization of the interventional therapy for the individual patient.

Correlation of skin barrier impairment in atopic dermatitis with aeroallergen sensitization.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) often predates the development of allergic sensitization in the so-called atopic march. Several studies have pointed out epidermal barrier impairment as a major cause of this evolution. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess atopic skin integrity by means of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and Corneometer, and to investigate possible correlations between barrier integrity measurements and the degree of sensitization to aeroallergens (allergy score). METHODS: Sixty-one children (6 months to 17 years old) with AD were clinically evaluated by the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index. TEWL and Corneometer evaluations were performed on lesion sites as well as on healthy skin. The subjects underwent skin-prick testing, and the severity of allergic sensitization was assessed for each patient by summing all wheal diameters (the allergy score). The same tests were performed in 20 children without AD. RESULTS: In patients with AD, TEWL and Corneometer results were found to be higher and lower, respectively, on eczematous areas in comparison with healthy skin, and differences were significantly correlated to the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.007, respectively). The TEWL result was significantly higher in nonlesional skin of the patients with AD compared with that of individuals without AD (p = 0.017). Of the patients with AD, 59% were sensitized to inhalant allergens; allergy scores were positively correlated with both AD duration (r = 0.63; p < 0.0001) and nonlesional skin TEWL values (r = 0.46; p = 0.002). No significant correlation was found between allergy scores and skin parameters in subjects without AD. CONCLUSION: Patients with AD are affected by barrier function impairment, even on noneczematous skin. This defect is associated with greater aeroallergen sensitization and may contribute to allergic respiratory symptom development.

Vitamin D and Ceramide Metabolomic Profile in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Sphingolipids (SLs) influence several cellular pathways, while vitamin D exerts many extraskeletal effects in addition to its traditional biological functions, including the modulation of calcium homeostasis and bone health. Moreover, Vitamin D and SLs affect the regulation of each others' metabolism; hence, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between the levels of 25(OH)D and ceramides in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In particular, the blood abundance of eight ceramides and 25(OH)D was evaluated in 134 AMI patients (aged 68.4 ± 12.0 years, 72% males). A significant inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and both Cer(d18:1/16:0) and Cer(d18:1/18:0) was found; indeed, patients with severe hypovitaminosis D (<10 ng/mL) showed the highest levels of the two investigated ceramides. Moreover, diabetic/dyslipidemic patients with suboptimal levels of 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) had higher levels of both the ceramides when compared with the rest of the population. On the other hand, 25(OH)D remained an independent determinant for Cer(d18:1/16:0) (STD Coeff -0.18, t-Value -2, p ≤ 0.05) and Cer(d18:1/18:0) (-0.2, -2.2, p < 0.05). In light of these findings, the crosstalk between sphingolipids and vitamin D may unravel additional mechanisms by which these molecules can influence CV risk in AMI.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Systemic Inflammatory Response Index as Predictors of Mortality in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

(1) Background: The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI; neutrophil count × monocyte/lymphocyte count), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII; platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count) are recently proposed biomarkers to assess the immune and inflammatory status. However, data on SIRI and SII are still relatively lacking and do not definitively and exhaustively define their role as predictors of an adverse prognosis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate SII and SIRI determinants as well as to assess SIRI and SII prognostic power in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). (2) Methods: A total of 105 STEMI patients (74 males, 70 ± 11 years) were studied (median follow-up 54 ± 25 months, 24 deaths). (3) Results: The main determinants of SIRI and SII were creatinine and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (multivariate regression). Patients with higher SIRI (>75th percentile, 4.9) and SII (>75th percentile, 1257.5) had lower survival rates than those in the low SIRI/SII group (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Univariate Cox regression revealed that high SIRI and SII were associated with mortality (HR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1-5.8, p < 0.05; 2.2, 1-4.9, p ≤ 0.05, respectively); however, these associations lost their significance after multivariate adjustment. (4) Conclusions: SIRI and SII association with mortality was significantly affected by confounding factors in our population, especially creatinine and BNP, which are associated with both the inflammatory indices and the outcome.

Environmental Temperature, Other Climatic Variables, and Cardiometabolic Profile in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: To evaluate CV profiles, periprocedural complications, and in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to climate. Methods: Data from 2478 AMI patients (1779 men; mean age 67 ∓ 13 years; Pasquinucci Hospital ICU, Massa, Italy; 2007-2018) were retrospectively analyzed according to climate (LAMMA Consortium; Firenze, Italy) by using three approaches as follows: (1) annual warm (May-October) and cold (November-April) periods; (2) warm and cold extremes of the two periods; and (3) warm and cold extremes for each month of the two periods. Results: All approaches highlighted a higher percentage of AMI hospitalization for patients with adverse CV profiles in relation to low temperatures, or higher periprocedural complications and in-hospital deaths. In warmer times of the cold periods, there were fewer admissions of dyslipidemic patients. During warm periods, progressive heat anomalies were characterized by more smoker (approaches 2 and 3) and young AMI patient (approach 3) admissions, whereas cooler times (approach 3) evidenced a reduced hospitalization of diabetic and dyslipidemic patients. No significant effects were observed for the heat index and light circulation. Conclusions: Although largely overlapping, different approaches identify patient subgroups with different CV risk factors at higher AMI admission risk and adverse short-term outcomes. These data retain potential implications regarding pathophysiological mechanisms of AMI and its prevention.

Clinical Features and Patient Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis with Surgical Indication: A Single-Centre Experience.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is marked by a heightened risk of embolic events (EEs), uncontrolled infection, or heart failure (HF). METHODS: Patients with IE and surgical indication were enrolled from October 2015 to December 2018. The primary endpoint consisted of a composite of major adverse events (MAEs) including all-cause death, hospitalizations, and IE relapses. The secondary endpoint was all-cause death. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (66 ± 14 years) were enrolled: 50% with IE on prosthesis, 33% with IE-associated heart failure (IE-aHF), and 38.2% with EEs. IE-aHF and EEs were independently associated with MAEs (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4, p = 0.03 and HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6, p = 0.01, respectively) and Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed a strong difference in MAE-free survival of patients with EEs and IE-aHF (p < 0.01 for both). IE-aHF (HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.4-13, p < 0.01), CRP at admission (HR 5.6, 95% CI 1.4-22.2, p = 0.01), LVEF (HR 0.9, 95% CI 0.9-1, p < 0.05), abscess (HR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2-10.6, p < 0.05), and prosthetic detachment (HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.5-14.1, p < 0.01) were independently associated with the all-cause death endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: IE-aHF and EEs were independently associated with MAEs. IE-aHF was also independently associated with the secondary endpoint.

Short-term follow up with the 3f Enable aortic bioprosthesis: clinical and echocardiographic results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: High-risk patients referred for aortic valve replacement (AVR) may benefit from sutureless technology in order to reduce mortality and morbidity. Herein is described the authors' initial experience and short-term results of the sutureless 3f Enable aortic bioprosthesis. METHODS: A total of 28 patients (19 females, nine males; mean age 76.8 +/- 5.1 years; range: 66 to 86 years) with symptomatic aortic valve disease underwent AVR with the 3f Enable bioprosthesis between May 2010 and May 2011. Preoperatively, the mean logistic EuroSCORE was 13.7 +/- 10.8%. Concomitant procedures included mitral valve replacement (n = 1), tricuspid valve repair (n = 3) and coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 5). Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, at postoperative day 1, at discharge, and at follow up. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was 3.5% (1/28). Seventeen patients underwent minimally invasive AVR via an upper partial ministernotomy (n = 13) or a right anterior minithoracotomy (n = 4) approach. The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp (ACC) times were 99.4 +/- 22.9 and 65.9 +/- 18.0 min, respectively, for isolated AVR, and 138.8 +/- 62.2 and 100.5 +/- 52.2 min, respectively, for combined procedures. One patient underwent aortic root replacement for an intimal aortic lesion after sutureless implantation. At a median follow up of four months (range: 2-10 months), survival was 96.5%, freedom from reoperation was 96.5%, and the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 11.1 +/- 5.4 mmHg. CONCLUSION: AVR with the 3f Enable bioprosthesis in high-risk patients is a safe and feasible procedure that is associated with a low mortality and excellent hemodynamic performance.

Von Willebrand factor antigen predicts response to double dose of aspirin and clopidogrel by PFA-100 in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is an emerging risk factor in acute coronary syndromes. Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100) with Collagen/Epinephrine (CEPI) is sensitive to functional alterations of VWF and also identifies patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR). The objective of this study was to verify the effect of double dose (DD) of aspirin and clopidogrel on HPR detected by PFA-100 and its relation to VWF and to its regulatory metalloprotease ADAMTS-13. Between 2009 and 2011 we enrolled 116 consecutive patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI with HPR at day 5 after PCI. Patients recruited were then randomized between a standard dose (SD, n = 58) or DD of aspirin and clopidogrel (DD, n = 58), maintained for 6 months follow-up. Blood samples for PFA-100, light transmittance aggregometry, and VWF/ADAMTS-13 analysis were collected after 5, 30, and 180 days (Times 0, 1, and 2). At Times 1 and 2 we observed a significantly higher CEPI closure times (CT) in DD as compared to SD (P < 0.001). Delta of CEPI-CT (T1 - T0) was significantly related to VWF (P < 0.001) and inversely related to ADAMTS-13 (0.01). Responders had a significantly higher level of VWF at T0. Finally, in a multivariate model analysis, VWF and ADAMTS-13 in resulted significant predictors of CEPI-CT response (P = 0.02). HRP detected by PFA-100 in acute myocardial infarction is reversible by DD of aspirin and clopidogrel; the response is predicted by basal levels of VWF and ADAMTS-13. PFA-100 may be a useful tool to risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes given its sensitivity to VWF.

Right anterior mini-thoracotomy and sutureless valves: the perfect marriage.

BACKGROUND: A minimally invasive approach (MIA) reduces mortality and morbidity in patients referred for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Sutureless technology facilitates a MIA. We describe our experience with the sutureless Perceval (LivaNova, Italy) aortic bioprosthesis through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RAMT) approach. METHODS: Between March 2011 and October 2019, 1,049 patients underwent AVR with Perceval bioprosthesis. Five hundred and three patients (48%) were operated through a RAMT approach in the second intercostal space. Considering only isolated AVR (881), 98% of patients were operated with MIA, and Perceval in RAMT approach was performed in 57% of these patients. Eight patients (1.6%) had previously undergone cardiac surgery. The prosthesis sizes implanted were: S (n=91), M (n=154), L (n=218) and XL (n=40). Concomitant procedures were mitral valve surgery (n=6), tricuspid valve repair (n=1), mitral valve repair and tricuspid valve repair (n=1) and miectomy (n=2). Mean age was 78±4 years (range, 65-89 years), 317 patients were female (63%) and EuroSCORE II was 5.9%±8.4%. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 0.8% (4/503). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp times were 81.6±30.8 and 50.3±24.5 minutes respectively for stand-alone procedures. In two patients, early moderate paravalvular leakage appeared as a result of incomplete expansion of the sutureless valve due to oversizing of the bioprosthesis, requiring reoperations at two and nine postoperative days with sutured aortic bioprosthesis implantation. Permanent pacemaker implantation within the first thirty days was necessary in 26 (5.2%) patients. At the mean follow-up of 4.6 years (range, 1 month to 8.6 years), survival was 96%, freedom from reoperation was 99.2%, and mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 11.9±4.3 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: AVR with the Perceval bioprosthesis in a RAMT approach is a safe and feasible procedure associated with low mortality and excellent hemodynamic performance. Sutureless technology facilitates a RAMT approach.

Minimally Invasive Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe aortic stenosis and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have a poor prognosis compared with patients with preserved LVEF. To evaluate the impact of sutureless Perceval (LivaNova, Italy) aortic bioprosthesis on LVEF and clinical outcomes in patients with baseline left ventricular (LV) dysfunction who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: Between March 2011 and August 2017, 803 patients underwent AVR with Perceval bioprosthesis implantation. Fifty-two isolated AVR had preoperative LVEF ≤45%. Mean age of these patients was 77 ± 6 years, 24 patients were female (46%), and mean EuroSCORE II was 9.4% ± 4.8%. Perceval bioprosthesis was implanted in 9 REDO operations. In 43 patients (83%), AVR was performed in minimally invasive surgery with an upper ministernotomy (n = 13) or right anterior minithoracotomy (n = 30). RESULTS: One patient died in hospital. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 85.5 ± 26 minutes and 55.5 ± 19 minutes, respectively. At mean follow-up of 33 ± 20 months (range: 1 to 75 months), survival was 90%, freedom from reoperation was 100%, and mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 11 ± 5 mmHg. LVEF improved from 37% ± 7% preoperatively to 43% ± 8% at discharge (P < 0.01) and further increased to 47% ± 9% at follow-up (P = 0.06), LV mass decreased from 149.8 ± 16.9 g/m2 preoperatively to 115.3 ± 11.6 g/m2 at follow-up (P < 0.001), and moderate paravalvular leakage occurred in 1 patient without hemolysis not requiring any treatment. CONCLUSIONS: AVR with sutureless aortic bioprosthesis implantation in patients with preoperative LV dysfunction demonstrated a significant immediate and early improvement in LVEF.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with a sutureless valve through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high-risk patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes and mid-term survival of high-risk patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RT) with sutureless valves versus patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: From October 2008 to March 2013, 269 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent either RT with perceval S sutureless valves (n = 178 patients, 66.2%) or TAVI (n = 91, 33.8%: 44 transapical and 47 trans-femoral). Of these, 37 patients undergoing RT with the perceval S valve were matched to a TAVI group by the propensity score. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups (mean age 79 ± 6 years) and the median logistic EuroSCORE was 14% (range 9-20%). In the matched group, the in-hospital mortality rate was 8.1% (n = 3) in the TAVI group and 0% in the RT group (P = 0.25). The incidence rate of stroke was 5.4% (n = 2) versus 0% in the TAVI and RT groups (P = 0.3). In the TAVI group, 37.8% (n = 14) had mild paravalvular leakage (PVL) and 27% (n = 10) had moderate PVL, whereas 2.7% (n = 1) had mild PVL in the RT group (P < 0.001). One- and 2-year survival rates were 91.6 vs 78.6% and 91.6 vs 66.2% in patients undergoing RT with the perceval S sutureless valve compared with those undergoing TAVI, respectively (P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with perceval S sutureless valves through an RT is associated with a trend of better early outcomes and mid-term survival compared with TAVI.

Regression of left ventricular mass after implantation of the sutureless 3f Enable aortic bioprosthesis.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in aortic stenosis is considered a compensatory response for the maintenance of systolic function but a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and death. We investigated the degree of left ventricular mass regression after implantation of the sutureless Medtronic 3f Enable Aortic Bioprosthesis. We studied 19 patients who, from May 2010 through July 2011, underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with the 3f Enable bioprosthetic valve, with clinical and echocardiographic follow-up at 6 months. The mean age was 77.1 ± 5.1 years (range, 68-86 yr); 14 patients were women (73.7%); and the mean logistic EuroSCORE was 15.4% ± 11.8%. Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, at discharge, and at 6 months' follow-up. The left ventricular mass was calculated by means of the Devereux formula and indexed to body surface area. The left ventricular mass index decreased from 146.1 ± 47.6 g/m(2) at baseline to 118.1 ± 39.8 g/m(2) at follow-up (P=0.003). The left ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly. The mean transaortic gradient decreased from 57.3 ± 14.2 mmHg at baseline to 12.3 ± 4.6 mmHg at discharge and 12.2 ± 5.3 mmHg at follow-up (P <0.001), and these decreases were accompanied by substantial clinical improvement. No moderate or severe paravalvular leakage was present at discharge or at follow-up. In isolated aortic stenosis, aortic valve replacement with the 3f Enable bioprosthesis results in significant regression of left ventricular mass at 6 months' follow-up. However, this regression needs to be verified by long-term echocardiographic follow-up.

Left ventricular mass regression after two alternative sutureless aortic bioprostheses.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in aortic stenosis (AS) constitutes a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of LV mass regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with two alternative sutureless self-expanding strategies: Perceval S (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy) (P) and 3f Enable (Medtronic, ATS Medical, Minneapolis, MN USA) (E) aortic bioprostheses. METHODS: Between March 2010 and December 2011, 129 patients with symptomatic AS underwent AVR with the Perceval S or 3f Enable bioprostheses in two cardiac surgery departments (Massa, Italy; Nuremberg, Germany). We analyzed 45 patients in group P and 19 in group E undergoing isolated AVR with a 6-month follow-up. The LV mass was calculated using the Devereux formula and was indexed to body surface area. RESULTS: Baseline patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. There were no in-hospital deaths. Two patients in group P died at follow-up versus zero in group E (P = 0.49). Mean LV mass index decreased from 146.6 (78) g/m at baseline to 123.3 (63) g/m at follow-up (P < 0.001) in group P and from 146.1 (47.6) g/m to 118.1 (39.8) g/m (P = 0.003) in group E, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.315). This effect was accompanied by significant clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: In isolated AS, AVR with sutureless bioprostheses is associated with a significant regression in LV mass at 6-month follow-up. No significant differences were present between the two alternative sutureless strategies. However, regression needs an evaluation with long-term echocardiographic examinations.

Impact of pulmonary hypertension on mortality after operation for isolated aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a well-known independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. However, no weight is given to PH in the current guidelines for the management of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative PH on early and five-year survival in patients with severe AS undergoing isolated AVR. METHODS: From January 2005 to July 2010, 422 consecutive patients with severe AS underwent isolated AVR. According to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), PH was classified as none (sPAPS<35 mmHg, N=224), mild-moderate (35≤sPAP<50 mmHg, N=159) and severe (sPAP≥50 mmHg, N=39). RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.8%. Unadjusted mortality was 0.9%, 3.8% and 10.2% for patients with normal, mild-moderate and severe PH (p=0.003). In multivariable analysis, severe PH (OR 4.1, 95 CI 1.1-15.3, p=0.04) and New York Heart Association class III-IV (OR 14.9, 95% CI 1.8-117.8, p=0.01) were independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality. Multivariable predictors of five-year survival were extracardiac arteriopathy (HR 2.8, 95%CI 1.6-4.9, p<0.0001), severe PH (HR 2.4, 95%CI 1.2-4.6 p=0.01), NHYA III-IV class (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4, p=0.003), preoperative serum creatinine (HR 2.2, 95%CI, 1.6-3.1,p<0.0001) and age (HR 1.08, 95%CI 1.03-1.13, p=0.01). Five-year survival was 86%±3% with normal sPAP, 81%±4% with mild-moderate PH and 63±10% with severe PH (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing isolated AVR with severe AS, severe PH is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and five-year survival.

Elevated soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and positive cardiac troponin I.

OBJECTIVES: High levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) have been shown to have an atheroprotective role; however, no data are available on this molecule in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We evaluated sRAGE levels in patients with non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) or with chronic stable angina. METHODS: We studied 265 patients, 190 of whom had NSTE-ACS and 75 had chronic stable angina. RESULTS: Plasma sRAGE values were comparable in the two groups (P=0.19). However, in the patients with NSTE-ACS, sRAGE levels were significantly higher in patients with cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) of more than or equal to 0.04 µg/l compared with those with cTnI of less than 0.04 µg/l [758 (493-1536 ) pg/ml vs. 454 (167-899) pg/ml; P=0.0037]. A significant correlation (r=0.323, P=0.0045) was found between sRAGE and cTnI levels in patients with NSTE-ACS. CONCLUSION: Plasma sRAGE levels are elevated in patients with NSTE-ACS with positive cTnI, suggesting that they could be related to myocardial cell damage.