Circulating interleukin-17A in patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is produced by Th17 and other cells. It is debatable whether IL-17 is atherogenic or atheroprotective. The role of this interleukin in the development and progression of coronary artery disease is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate if there were differences in serum IL-17A levels according to to clinical presentation of coronary artery disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 101 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 100 patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and 70 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected from patients and controls (within 48 h) to analyze IL-17A levels. Clinical characteristics were recorded using questionnaires. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Comparisons of the clinical characteristics between patients with ACS and CCS revealed the following: mean age (62 ± 12.4 years vs. 63.3 ± 9.8 years, P = 0.4), male (63.4% vs. 58%, P = 0.4), hypertension (85.1% vs. 79%, P = 0.1), dyslipidemia (48% vs. 31%, P = 0.01), diabetes mellitus (47.5% vs. 41%, P = 0.3), previous myocardial infarction (57.4% vs. 40%, P = 0.01), and smoking (29.7% vs. 38%, P = 1). The peripheral concentrations of IL-17A in ACS, CCS and controls were 5.36 ± 8.83, 6.69 ± 17.92, and 6.26 ± 11.13, respectively, with P = 0.6. In addition, the comparison between ACS and CCS showed: 5.36 ± 8.83 vs. 6.69 ± 17.92%, P = 0.3. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study was that circulating IL-17 levels were similar in patients with ACS, CCS, and healthy volunteers. In addition, there was no difference between patients with ACS and those with CCS. Therefore, in patients with ACS and CCS, circulating IL-17A concentrations are low and there were no differences between patients with coronary artery disease and healthy individuals.

Very Early Coronary Artery Aneurysm After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patient With HIV and Thrombophilia.

The incidence of coronary artery aneurysms ranges from 0.2% to 10.5%. Aneurysms have been described after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and hypersensitivity to polymers, nickel, cobalt, inflammatory reaction rich in eosinophils, drug released by the stent, fracture and malapposition of the stent, stent endothelialization delay, high pressures used in the procedures, oversizing of balloons and stents, unhealed dissections, atheroablative techniques, and trauma of the arterial wall are related to appearance of coronary artery aneurysms. In this case report, we described a patient with human immunodeficiency virus and thrombophilia who underwent primary PCI and at the end of the procedure had thrombi in the coronary artery. It was decided by triple therapy and new angiographic study 2 days later. This new angiography revealed thrombi resolution but the appearance of an aneurysm in the middle portion of the drug-eluting stent. The anticoagulant was stopped and we performed watchful waiting strategy with new serial angiograms that revealed progressive reduction and disappearance of the aneurysm. Subsequently triple therapy with warfarin, aspirin and clopidogrel was restarted and the patient progressed asymptomatic and performed his daily activities normally. At 6 months of clinical follow-up, we advised the patient to suspend aspirin and to continue secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.

The Forgotten, Not Studied or Not Valorized Tricuspid Valve: The Transcatheter Revolution Is Coming.

The tricuspid valve (TV) has been known as the forgotten valve. However, considering recent information from scientific studies, this nomenclature may need to be adjusted for the valve, which also needs to be better studied and understood. For decades, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was not fully appreciated and was never the priority. However, studies have revealed that such pathology is related to a possible negative impact on prognosis of patients. Severe TR is a predictor of higher mortality. For the treatment of TR, repair or valve replacement can be performed. Repair techniques can be performed on the annulus (suture annuloplasty or ring implant), on the leaflets (e.g. triangular resection), on the cords (transfers or new cords) and on the papillary muscles (e.g. sliding technique). The anatomical characteristics of the TV determine the repair technique to be used. In some cases, valve repair is not possible and/or not indicated and valve replacement is selected based on the strategy. Nowadays transcatheter therapies have been used and studied. The main transcatheter strategies for the treatment of TR are based on reduction of the annulus (Cardioband, Trialign, TriCinch, Millipede and TRAIPTA), improvement of the leaflet coaptation (Mitraclip, FORMA device, PASCAL system, and TV occluder), reduction of the reflux for the vena cava system (Tric valve and Sapien valve implant), and valve implants (Navigate, Trisol, Sapien, Melody). In this context, there are still other devices (such as Tricentro, Pasta, etc.) being developed and tested throughout several phases of research. In the future, improved knowledge of the TV and the evolution of transcatheter treatments will alter the history of the TV. The transcatheter revolution is coming!