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The background of this review is a description of the case of a 28-year-old man with an extremely rare cardiac solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). Although this tumor was removed surgically and in the 6-month follow-up examination no relapse was noted, recurrence was observed and confirmed in the magnetic resonance imaging 4 months later. SFT prevalence, symptoms and signs, treatment options and prognosis are reviewed.
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BACKGROUND: An imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms is indicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque. The coronary artery and carotid disease, despite sharing similar risk factors, are developed separately. The aim of this study was to analyze possible mechanisms between trace element hair-scalp concentrations and whole blood counts that favor atherosclerotic plaque progression in certain locations. METHODS: There were 65 (36 (55%) males and 29 (45%) females) patients with a median age of 68 (61-73) years enrolled in a prospective, preliminary, multicenter analysis. The study group was composed of 13 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD group) referred for surgical revascularization due to multivessel coronary disease, 34 patients with carotid artery disease (carotid group) admitted for vascular procedure, and 18 patients in a control group (control group). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the CAD and carotid groups regarding lymphocyte (p = 0.004) counts. The biochemical comparison between the coronary and carotid groups revealed significant differences regarding chromium (Cr) (p = 0.002), copper (Cu) (p < 0.001), and zinc (Zn) (p < 0.001) concentrations. Spearman Rank Order Correlations between lymphocyte counts and trace elements in the analyzed groups were performed, revealing a strong correlation with zinc (R = 0.733, p < 0.001) in the control group (non-CAD, non-carotid). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in hair-scalp concentrations related to atherosclerosis location were observed in our analysis. The interplay between zinc concentration and lymphocyte count may play a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease development.
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PURPOSE: The normal healthy valve is devoid of inflammatory cells, however background of aortic stenosis (AS) may include inflammatory processes. Moreover, the link between hyperparathyroidism and heart failure is postulated. Simple whole blood analysis with indices is a beneficial tool in cardiovascular diseases' assessment. The purpose of the study was to evaluate correlation between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and simple blood parameters in severe AS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 62 patients with severe AS. Patients with inflammatory or autoimmune co-morbidities were excluded. Blood samples were collected, and clinical and demographic data were analyzed. RESULTS: The final study group comprised 55 patients (31 females, 56.4%; mean age 77.13 (SD 6.76)). In 23 patients (41.8%), PTH concentration was markedly increased. The study group was divided into two subgroups according to the PTH concentration. Patients from both groups did not differ significantly in terms of age and co-morbidities. PTH concentration correlated positively with monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) (p â= â0.008, Spearman rho 0.356) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p â= â0.047, Spearman rho 0.269), creatinine level (p â= â0.001, Spearman rho 0.425) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR-MDRD) (p â= â0.009, Spearman rho -0.349). The multivariable logistic regression with backward analysis revealed MLR (p â= â0.029) and GFR (p â= â0.028) as independent significant predictors of abnormal PTH values. The receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was performed for the model of MLR and GFR-MDRD (AUC â= â0.777), yielding the sensitivity of 60.9% and specificity of 90.6%. CONCLUSIONS: PTH concentration correlates with monocyte-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in calcified AS.