Myocardial Oedema as a Consequence of Viral Infection and Persistence-A Narrative Review with Focus on COVID-19 and Post COVID Sequelae.

Microvascular integrity is a critical factor in myocardial fluid homeostasis. The subtle equilibrium between capillary filtration and lymphatic fluid removal is disturbed during pathological processes leading to inflammation, but also in hypoxia or due to alterations in vascular perfusion and coagulability. The degradation of the glycocalyx as the main component of the endothelial filtration barrier as well as pericyte disintegration results in the accumulation of interstitial and intracellular water. Moreover, lymphatic dysfunction evokes an increase in metabolic waste products, cytokines and inflammatory cells in the interstitial space contributing to myocardial oedema formation. This leads to myocardial stiffness and impaired contractility, eventually resulting in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, myocardial remodelling and fibrosis. The following article reviews pathophysiological inflammatory processes leading to myocardial oedema including myocarditis, ischaemia-reperfusion injury and viral infections with a special focus on the pathomechanisms evoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In addition, clinical implications including potential long-term effects due to viral persistence (long COVID), as well as treatment options, are discussed.

Micro- and Macrovascular Effects of Inflammation in Peripheral Artery Disease-Pathophysiology and Translational Therapeutic Approaches.

Inflammation has a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. On the molecular level, inflammatory pathways negatively impact endothelial barrier properties and thus, tissue homeostasis. Conformational changes and destruction of the glycocalyx further promote pro-inflammatory pathways also contributing to pro-coagulability and a prothrombotic state. In addition, changes in the extracellular matrix composition lead to (peri-)vascular remodelling and alterations of the vessel wall, e.g., aneurysm formation. Moreover, progressive fibrosis leads to reduced tissue perfusion due to loss of functional capillaries. The present review aims at discussing the molecular and clinical effects of inflammatory processes on the micro- and macrovasculature with a focus on peripheral artery disease.

Toll-like Receptors as Pro-Thrombotic Drivers in Viral Infections: A Narrative Review.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have a critical role in the pathogenesis and disease course of viral infections. The induced pro-inflammatory responses result in the disturbance of the endovascular surface layer and impair vascular homeostasis. The injury of the vessel wall further promotes pro-thrombotic and pro-coagulatory processes, eventually leading to micro-vessel plugging and tissue necrosis. Moreover, TLRs have a direct role in the sensing of viruses and platelet activation. TLR-mediated upregulation of von Willebrand factor release and neutrophil, as well as macrophage extra-cellular trap formation, further contribute to (micro-) thrombotic processes during inflammation. The following review focuses on TLR signaling pathways of TLRs expressed in humans provoking pro-thrombotic responses, which determine patient outcome during viral infections, especially in those with cardiovascular diseases.

Microvascular Thrombosis as a Critical Factor in Severe COVID-19.

Platelet-endothelial interactions have a critical role in microcirculatory function, which maintains tissue homeostasis. The subtle equilibrium between platelets and the vessel wall is disturbed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which affects all three components of Virchow's triad (endothelial injury, stasis and a hypercoagulable state). Endotheliitis, vasculitis, glycocalyx degradation, alterations in blood flow and viscosity, neutrophil extracellular trap formation and microparticle shedding are only few pathomechanisms contributing to endothelial damage and microthrombosis resulting in capillary plugging and tissue ischemia. In the following opinion paper, we discuss major pathological processes leading to microvascular endothelial activation and thrombosis formation as a possible major adverse factor driving the deterioration of patient disease course in severe COVID-19.

Cardiovascular Disease Management in the Context of Global Crisis.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initiated a pandemic that has deteriorated health care access and thus disadvantaged vulnerable populations [...].

Mean Corpuscular Volume Predicts Adverse Outcomes Following Peripheral Angioplasty With Stenting and Is Associated With On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity.

Structural aspects of red blood cells have been associated with cardiovascular disease. No data linking mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to clinical outcomes and on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are available. We investigated a composite of atherothrombotic events and target vessel restenosis or reocclusion following infrainguinal stenting for stable PAD. Residual platelet reactivity was measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and the VerifyNow assays. We included 104 patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel. In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, MCV effectively discriminated between patients with and without adverse outcomes and identified a MCV ≤90.8 fL as optimal cutoff. Adverse outcomes occurred significantly more often in patients with low MCV (log-rank P = .002). In univariable Cox regression analysis, low MCV was associated with an increased risk of future adverse outcomes (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.662 [95%CI: 1.304-5.434]; P = .007) and remained significantly associated after adjustment (HR: 2.591 [95%CI: 1.242-5.403]; P = .011). Mean corpuscular volume was inversely correlated with arachidonic acid (AA)- and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-inducible platelet reactivity by LTA and with the VerifyNow aspirin assay. Low MCV is associated with adverse outcomes over 2 years following infrainguinal stenting. Mean corpuscular volume correlates inversely with AA- and ADP-inducible platelet reactivity during DAPT.

Decreased Platelet Inhibition by Thienopyridines in Hyperuricemia.

PURPOSE: Hyperuricemia carries an increased risk of atherothrombotic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This may at least in part be due to inadequate P2Y12 inhibition. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the potential association between hyperuricemia and decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 antagonists. METHODS: Levels of uric acid as well as on-treatment residual platelet reactivity in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were assessed in 301 clopidogrel-treated patients undergoing elective angioplasty and stenting, and in 206 prasugrel- (n = 118) or ticagrelor-treated (n = 88) ACS patients following acute PCI. Cut-off values for high on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity (HRPR) were based on previous studies showing an association of test results with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with increased on-treatment residual ADP-inducible platelet reactivity in clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients in univariate analyses and after adjustment for differences in patient characteristics by multivariate regression analyses. In contrast, ticagrelor-treated patients without and with hyperuricemia showed similar levels of on-treatment residual platelet reactivity to ADP. HRPR occurred more frequently in clopidogrel- and prasugrel-treated patients with hyperuricemia than in those with normal uric acid levels. In contrast, hyperuricemic patients receiving ticagrelor did not have a higher risk of HRPR compared with those with normal uric acid levels. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is associated with decreased platelet inhibition by thienopyridines but a normal response to ticagrelor. It remains to be established if lowering uric acid increases the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel and prasugrel in hyperuricemic patients with HRPR.

Residual platelet reactivity in low-dose aspirin-treated patients with class 1 obesity.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest a decreased clinical efficacy of low-dose aspirin in patients weighing ≥70 kg. We therefore investigated the impact of body weight and class 1 obesity on thromboxane generation and platelet reactivity to arachidonic acid (AA) in 316 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy following angioplasty and stenting. METHODS: Platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa in response to AA were determined by flow cytometry as sensitive markers of platelet activation. Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dehydro-TXB2) and serum TXB2 were measured by commercially-available immunoassays. On-treatment residual AA-inducible platelet aggregation was assessed by light transmission aggregometry (LTA), the VerifyNow aspirin assay and multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA). RESULTS: Class 1 obesity was independently associated with increased platelet surface expression of P-selectin and activated GPIIb/IIIa, but not with urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2, serum TXB2, and on-treatment platelet aggregation by all assays. Of all measured parameters, only MEA showed a positive albeit very weak correlation with body weight (r = 0.13, p = 0.02). Furthermore, the results of all tests did not differ significantly between patients without and with a body weight ≥ 70 kg. After adjustment for age and diabetes by multivariate logistic regression analysis, the frequency of high-on treatment residual TXB2 generation and high on-treatment residual AA-inducible platelet reactivity (HRTG/HRPR) did not differ significantly between obese and non-obese patients. CONCLUSION: Class 1 obesity is associated with enhanced platelet activation in response to AA in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy. This seems to be independent of cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition and does not translate into HRTG/HRPR.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte and Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratios Predict Target Vessel Restenosis after Infrainguinal Angioplasty with Stent Implantation.

Platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte (LMR) ratios are associated with the occurrence of critical limb ischemia in peripheral artery disease (PAD). We therefore investigated whether PLR, NLR or LMR are linked to target vessel restenosis (TVR) following infrainguinal angioplasty and stenting. Moreover, we studied on-treatment platelet reactivity and neutrophil-platelet aggregate (NPA) formation as potential underlying mechanisms. Platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were determined one day after angioplasty and stenting in 95 stable PAD patients. Platelet reactivity and NPA formation in response to protease-activated receptor-1 stimulation were measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and flow cytometry, respectively. PLR and NLR were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed TVR (both p < 0.05). In contrast, LMR did not differ significantly between patients without and with TVR (p = 0.28). A PLR ≥ 91 and NLR ≥2.75 were identified as the best thresholds to predict TVR, providing sensitivities of 87.5% and 81.3%, and specificities of 34.9% and 50.8%, respectively, and were therefore defined as high PLR and high NLR. TVR occurred significantly more often in patients with high PLR and high NLR than in those with lower ratios (both p < 0.05). Patients with high PLR and high NLR exhibited significantly increased on-treatment platelet aggregation compared to those with lower ratios, and patients with high PLR had higher levels of NPA formation (all p < 0.01). In conclusion, PLR and NLR predict TVR after infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation. Platelet activation and neutrophil-platelet interaction may be involved in the underlying pathomechanisms.

Surrogate Markers of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation are Associated with Ischemic Outcomes and Platelet Activation after Peripheral Angioplasty and Stenting.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are supposed to play a central role in atherothrombosis. We measured circulating citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which serve as surrogate markers of NET formation, in 79 patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) following infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation. Analysis of cfDNA and H3Cit was performed using Quant-iT™ PicoGreen® dsDNA Assay Kit or an ELISA, respectively. Within two years of follow-up, the primary endpoint defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attack, cardiovascular death, and >80% target vessel restenosis occurred in 34 patients (43%). Both H3Cit (HR per 1-SD: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.2-6.3; p = 0.019) and cfDNA (HR per 1-SD: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.1-4.2; p = 0.028) were associated with the primary endpoint in a univariate Cox regression analysis. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed associations between cfDNA and platelet surface expression of P-selectin (p = 0.006) and activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (p < 0.001) in response to arachidonic acid (AA) after adjustment for age, sex, clinical risk factors, and inflammatory markers. H3Cit was also associated with P-selectin expression in response to thrombin-receptor activating peptide (p = 0.048) and AA (p = 0.032). Circulating H3Cit and cfDNA predict ischemic outcomes after peripheral angioplasty with stent implantation, and are associated with on-treatment platelet activation in stable PAD.

Association of Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenesis 2 (sST2) With Platelet Activation, Monocyte Tissue Factor and Ischemic Outcomes Following Angioplasty and Stenting.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients undergoing infrainguinal angioplasty with stenting suffer high rates of target lesion restenosis and ischemic events. Blood-based prognostic markers in these patients are currently limited. The IL-33/ST2-system is involved in atherothrombosis. Soluble ST2 has been proposed as a biomarker in patients with cardiovascular disease. Aim: To investigate the association of sST2 with platelet activation and monocyte tissue factor (TF) in 316 patients undergoing elective angioplasty and stenting for cardiovascular disease, and its predictive value for ischemic outcomes following infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation in 104 PAD patients within this cohort. Methods and Results: Circulating levels of sST2, platelet surface P-selectin, monocyte TF expression as well as soluble P-selectin were determined in 316 consecutive patients on dual antiplatelet therapy following angioplasty and stenting. sST2 was independently associated with soluble P-selectin (B = 6.4, 95% CI 2.0-10.7, p = 0.004) and TF expression (B = 0.56, 95% CI 0.02-1.1, p = 0.041) but not with platelet surface P-selectin (B = 0.1, 95% CI -0.1-0.3, p = 0.307) after adjustment for age, sex, clinical risk factors and inflammatory parameters. During the follow-up of 24 months, the primary endpoint occurred in 41 of 104 PAD patients (39.4%). However, circulating levels of sST2 did not predict the primary endpoint in PAD patients (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.76-1.71, p = 0.527). Conclusion: sST2 is associated with soluble P-selectin and monocyte TF expression in atherosclerosis but not with ischemic outcomes following infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation for PAD.

α-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase is associated with atherothrombotic events following infrainguinal angioplasty and stenting.

Besides clinical characteristics, easy-accessible laboratory markers could be of value to refine risk stratification in peripheral artery disease. In the current study, we investigated whether α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) is associated with atherothrombotic events in 83 stable patients undergoing infrainguinal angioplasty and stenting. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of the first occurrence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or transient ischemic attack and cardiovascular death within 2 years after angioplasty and stenting, and occurred in 6 patients (7.2%). HBDH levels at baseline were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed the primary endpoint (126 U/L [116-137 U/L] vs. 105 U/L [95-120 U/L]; p = 0.04). ROC curve analysis revealed that HBDH could distinguish between patients without and with future atherothrombotic events. A HBDH concentration ≥ 115 U/L was identified as the best threshold to predict the composite endpoint, providing a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 71.4%, and was therefore defined as high HBDH. High HBDH was seen in 28 patients (33.7%). Ischemic events occurred significantly more often in patients with high HBDH than in patients with lower HBDH levels (5 vs. 1 patients, p = 0.007). In conclusion, HBDH is associated with the occurrence of atherothrombotic events after infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation. Future trials are warranted to study the predictive role of HBDH for ischemic outcomes and to investigate underlying mechanisms.

Impaired glucose metabolism is associated with increased thrombin generation potential in patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting.

BACKGROUND: As a strong platelet agonist on the one hand and key molecule in plasmatic coagulation on the other hand, thrombin connects primary and secondary hemostasis. Thrombin generation potential reflects the individual capacity to generate thrombin, and has been associated with the occurrence of thromboembolic events. In the current study, we sought to identify predictors of thrombin generation potential in patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Peak thrombin generation potential and area under the curve (AUC) of thrombin generation potential were determined with a commercially available assay in 315 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy 1 day after percutaneous intervention, and in 100 healthy individuals without cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) peak thrombin generation potential and AUC of thrombin generation potential in the study cohort (n = 315) were significantly higher than in healthy individuals (n = 100) without cardiovascular disease (peak thrombin generation potential: 445.4 nM [354.5-551.8 nM] vs. 174.5 nM [141.2-261.2 nM]; AUC of thrombin generation potential: 5262.7 nM thrombin [4806.6-5756.9 nM thrombin] vs. 3405.2 nM thrombin [3043.6-3747.3 nM thrombin]; both p < 0.001). In patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was the only variable that was independently associated with both, peak thrombin generation potential and AUC of thrombin generation potential (both p ≤ 0.007). In contrast, platelet count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were only associated with peak thrombin generation potential, and body mass index and serum creatinine were only associated with AUC of thrombin generation potential after adjustment for covariates by multivariate linear regression analyses (all p < 0.05). Patients with HbA1c ≥ 6% had significantly higher peak thrombin generation potential and AUC of thrombin generation potential than patients with HbA1c < 6% (peak thrombin generation potential: 476.9 nM [385.8-577.9 nM] vs. 423.9 nM [335.8-529.5 nM], p = 0.002; AUC of thrombin generation potential: 5371.8 nM thrombin [4903 - 5899 nM thrombin] vs. 5172.5 nM thrombin [4731.8-5664.7 nM thrombin], p = 0.01). HbA1c ≥ 6% remained independently associated with both parameters of thrombin generation potential after multivariate linear regression analyses (both p ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired glucose metabolism is associated with increased thrombin generation potential in patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting for cardiovascular disease.

Low Levels of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Are Linked to Impaired Clopidogrel-Mediated Platelet Inhibition.

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are an independent predictor of ischemic events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This may in part be due to decreased clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition in patients with low HDL-C. We investigated the association of HDL-C with on-treatment platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in 314 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin undergoing angioplasty and stenting. Platelet P-selectin expression was assessed by flow cytometry, and platelet aggregation was determined by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and the Impact-R. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were inversely associated with P-selectin expression and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (both P ≤ .01). Moreover, we found a positive correlation of HDL-C with surface coverage by the Impact-R ( P = .003). Patients with low HDL-C (≤35 mg/dL) exhibited a significantly higher P-selectin expression in response to ADP and higher platelet aggregation by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and the Impact-R than patients with normal HDL-C (>35 mg/dL; all P < .05). High on-treatment residual platelet reactivity by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay occurred significantly more frequently in patients with low HDL-C levels than in those with normal HDL-C (47.4% vs 30.1%, P = .01). In conclusion, low HDL-C is linked to impaired clopidogrel-mediated platelet inhibition after angioplasty and stenting.

Circulating microRNAs identify patients at increased risk of in-stent restenosis after peripheral angioplasty with stent implantation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Target lesion restenosis is the most frequent complication after angioplasty and stenting for peripheral artery disease (PAD). MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate crucial pathophysiological processes leading to in-stent restenosis and thrombosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of 11 miRs for the composite endpoint of target lesion restenosis and atherothrombotic events (primary endpoint), and target vessel revascularization (TVR, secondary endpoint) in 62 consecutive PAD patients after infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation. METHODS: Circulating miRs were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: Within the 2 years of follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred in 26 patients (41.9%), and 21 patients (33.9%) underwent TVR. miR-92a and miR-195 were identified as independent predictors of the primary endpoint after adjustment for age, sex and clinical risk factors with respective HR per 1 increase of standard deviation (1-SD) of 0.55 (95% CI: 0.34-0.88, p = 0.013) and HR per 1-SD of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.23-0.68, p = 0.001). MiR-195 independently predicted TVR with HR per 1-SD of 0.40 (95% CI: 0.22-0.75, p = 0.005). Adding miR-195 to clinical risk factors improved Harrell's C-index to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.66-0.85, p = 0.03) and was superior to a model with miR-92a (C-index: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.80, p for comparison =0 .012). Assessment of both miR-92a and miR-195 had no incremental value when compared to miR-195 alone (C-index: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69-0.88, p = 0.313). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating miR-195 predicts adverse ischemic events and TVR after infrainguinal angioplasty with stent implantation. MiR-195 could improve risk stratification after peripheral endovascular revascularizations.

Decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 receptor blockers in anaemia.

BACKGROUND: Anaemic patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting are at an increased risk of ischaemic events, which may be caused by an inadequate response to antiplatelet therapy with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y12 inhibitors. In the current study, we investigated the associations between anaemia and on-treatment platelet reactivity in clopidogrel-treated (group 1, n = 306) and prasugrel-/ticagrelor-treated (group 2, n = 109) patients undergoing elective and acute angioplasty with stent implantation, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocyte-platelet aggregate (MPA) formation was determined by flow cytometry in both groups. On-treatment residual platelet reactivity in response to ADP was assessed by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) in both groups, and by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and the Impact-R in group 1. P-selectin expression was measured by flow cytometry in group 2. RESULTS: In both groups, anaemia was associated with significantly higher MPA formation in response to ADP (both P ≤ .02). Moreover, by LTA maximal aggregation in response to ADP was significantly higher in patients with anaemia in both groups (both P < .05), and anaemic patients in group 1 had a significantly higher on-treatment platelet reactivity by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and the Impact-R than those without anaemia (both P < .001). In group 2, significantly higher platelet surface expression of P-selectin was seen in anaemia after stimulation with ADP (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Anaemia is associated with decreased platelet inhibition by ADP P2Y12 receptor antagonists after elective and acute percutaneous interventions with stent implantation. However, due to inconsistencies between different platelet function tests additional data are needed to clarify the role of anaemia for platelet inhibition.

Disaggregation Following Agonist-Induced Platelet Activation in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy.

Disaggregation as the difference between maximal and final platelet aggregation by light transmission aggregometry indicates the stability of platelet aggregates. We evaluated the extent of disaggregation after platelet stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA), collagen, epinephrine, and thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP)-6 in 323 patients on dual antiplatelet therapy with daily aspirin and clopidogrel (group 1), prasugrel (group 2), or ticagrelor (group 3) therapy. All patients in group 1 underwent elective angioplasty and stenting, whereas all patients included in groups 2 and 3 suffered from acute coronary syndromes (STEMI or NSTEMI) and underwent urgent PCI. Significant differences between maximal and final platelet aggregation were observed with all agonists throughout the groups (all p<0.001). Disaggregation was highest using AA (clopidogrel 36.5%; prasugrel/ticagrelor 100%) and ADP (clopidogrel 21.7%; prasugrel/ticagrelor 100%). In contrast, low disaggregation was observed after platelet stimulation with collagen and TRAP-6 in clopidogrel-treated patients, and after platelet stimulation with collagen and epinephrine in prasugrel- and ticagrelor-treated patients. In conclusion, pathways of platelet activation that are not inhibited by standard antiplatelet therapy allow persisting platelet aggregation and may at least in part be responsible for adverse ischemic events.

ß-blockers are associated with decreased leucocyte-platelet aggregate formation and lower residual platelet reactivity to adenosine diphosphate after angioplasty and stenting.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of ß-blockers on the long-term prognosis of patients with cardiovascular disease may in part be attributable to decreased platelet activation. In this prospective cohort study, we sought to investigate the impact of concomitant ß-blocker therapy on sensitive markers of platelet activation and aggregation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monocyte-platelet (MPA) and neutrophil-platelet aggregate (NPA) formation in vivo and in response to the platelet agonist adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were determined by flow cytometry in 258 patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting. On-treatment residual platelet reactivity to ADP was assessed by multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA). RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients of the study population (67·8%) received ß-blockers. Treatment with ß-blockers was associated with significantly lower MPA and NPA formation in vivo and in response to ADP compared to patients without ß-blockers (all P ≤ 0·01). The inverse associations of MPA and NPA formation with ß-blocker therapy remained statistically significant after adjustment for differences in patient characteristics by multivariate linear regression analyses (all P < 0·05). Moreover, high levels of MPA in response to ADP as well as high levels of NPAin vivo and in response to ADP were significantly less frequent in patients with ß-blocker treatment (all P < 0·05). Finally, on-treatment residual platelet reactivity to ADP by MEA was significantly lower in patients receiving ß-blockers (P = 0·005). CONCLUSION: ß-Blockers are associated with decreased leucocyte-platelet aggregate formation and lower on-treatment residual platelet reactivity to ADP in patients with dual antiplatelet therapy following angioplasty and stenting.

Serum Cholinesterase Levels Are Associated With 2-Year Ischemic Outcomes After Angioplasty and Stenting for Peripheral Artery Disease.

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the associations of serum cholinesterase (CHE) levels with ischemic outcomes after angioplasty and stenting for lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled 108 patients with Rutherford category 2-3 ischemia who had successful primary unilateral angioplasty and self-expanding bare metal stent implantation for superficial femoral artery (SFA) stenosis. The primary endpoint was a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or transient ischemic attack, cardiovascular death, or >80% target lesion restenosis within 2 years after peripheral angioplasty. Target lesion restenosis (restenosis endpoint) and the composite of the aforementioned atherothrombotic events (atherothrombotic endpoint) within 2-year follow-up were defined as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: CHE levels were not available in 4 patients due to technical problems and 4 patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 100 patients (median age 65 years; 62 men) met the minimum sample size requirement for statistical analysis. Median CHE levels were significantly lower in patients who subsequently experienced the primary endpoint compared with patients without ischemic events [7.1 (IQR 6.3-8.1) vs 8 (IQR 7-9.3) kU/L, p=0.007]. A CHE level <8.3 kU/L was identified as the best cutoff value to predict the primary endpoint, providing an 82.1% sensitivity and 44.3% specificity. The primary endpoint occurred significantly more often in patients with low CHE <8.3 kU/L than in patients with higher CHE levels (32 vs 7 patients, p=0.01). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, low CHE was associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk (95% CI 1.1 to 5.9, p=0.03) of the primary endpoint. Moreover, patients who suffered the secondary restenosis endpoint had significantly lower median CHE levels than patients without restenosis [7.1 (IQR 6.3-8.2) vs 7.9 (IQR 7-8.9) kU/L, p=0.02], and restenosis occurred more frequently in patients with low CHE compared with those with higher CHE levels (27 vs 7 patients, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Low CHE is associated with an increased risk of long-term adverse ischemic events following SFA angioplasty with stent implantation for PAD.