Abstract Background Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reflects long-term glycemic control and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events among diabetic non-diabetic patients. The specific impact HbA1c upon atheroma progression incident relative to the presence other factors remains uncertain. Purpose We tested hypothesis that on-treatment levels independently associate coronary measured...

BACKGROUND Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) processes big endothelin-1 (ET-1) to ET-1, a peptide implicated in atheroma formation. ECE-1 exists in 2 isoforms (ECE-1alpha and ECE-1beta), the result of alternative splicing of a common gene. Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) is a genetically distinct metallopeptidase that degrades the natriuretic peptides. These peptides mediate antiproliferative ...

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the links between chronic fat-cholesterol intake, postprandial lipaemia and atherogenesis in New Zealand White rabbits. Adult rabbits were fed on either a low-fat control diet (LF) or a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HF). Rabbits received a test meal containing [3H]cholesterol and [14C]triolein on days 0 and 63 for the LF group and days 14, 28, 42,...

BACKGROUND The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) responds to various stresses by upregulation of ER chaperones, but prolonged ER stress eventually causes apoptosis. Although apoptosis is considered to be essential for the progression and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques, the influence of ER stress and apoptosis on rupture of unstable coronary plaques remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Coronary a...

OBJECTIVE To assess changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macula in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors or subclinical ischemia. DESIGN Prospective and observational study. METHODS A total of 152 healthy men underwent cardiovascular examination, including quantification of subclinical atheroma plaques by artery ultrasound scans, blood analysis, and a complete ophthalmic ...

BACKGROUND From a therapeutic viewpoint, it is important to differentiate the underlying causes of embolism in patients with cryptogenic stroke, such as aortic arch atheroma, patent foramen ovale, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We investigated the clinical and radiological characteristics of these 3 common causes of cryptogenic embolism to develop models for decision making in etiologic wo...

BACKGROUND Despite favorable effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor torcetrapib failed to slow atherosclerosis progression and increased mortality. We investigated the relationship between lipid changes and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Intravascular ultras...

BACKGROUND Proteolytic enzyme activity in lipid-rich atheroma may promote plaque rupture and precipitate acute coronary syndromes. This study tested the hypothesis that lipid lowering stabilizes plaques by reducing proteolytic activity. METHODS AND RESULTS We produced experimental atheroma in 33 rabbits by balloon injury and an atherogenic diet (0.3% cholesterol and 4.7% coconut oil) for 4 mo...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to treat coronary artery disease is now commonplace. The occurrence of microemboli during invasive procedures such as cardiac angiography and bypass surgery is well documented, although neurological complications are relatively uncommon. To date, no investigation has been undertaken of the frequency or natur...