The Effects of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Inflammatory Profile in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure of Different Severity.

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are common pathophysiological characteristics of chronic heart failure (CHF). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are recognized as useful markers of vascular damage and endothelial repair. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on EPCs and inflammatory profile in CHF patients of different severity. Forty-four patients with stable CHF underwent a 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program. They were separated into two different subgroups each time, according to the median peak VO2, predicted peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, and ejection fraction. EPCs, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured. Flow cytometry was used for the quantification of EPCs. Mobilization of EPCs increased and the inflammatory profile improved within each severity group (p < 0.05) after the cardiac rehabilitation program, but there were no statistically significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). A 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program has similar beneficial effects on the mobilization of EPCs and on the inflammatory profile in patients with CHF of different severity.

Coronary Artery Aneurysms: Comprehensive Review and a Case Report of a Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm.

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare anatomical disorders of the coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis and Kawasaki disease are the principal causes of CCAs, while other causes including genetic factors, inflammatory arterial diseases, connective tissue disorders, endothelial damage after cocaine use, iatrogenic complications after interventions and infections, are also common among patients with CAAs. Although there is a variety of noninvasive methods including echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, coronary angiography remains the gold standard diagnostic method. There is still no consensus about the most appropriate therapeutic strategy. Medical therapy including antiplatelets, anticoagulants, statins and ACEs are preferred either in patients with atherosclerosis, inflammatory status and stable CAAs, while percutaneous or surgery interventions are usually applied in patients with acute coronary syndrome due to a CAA culprit, obstructive coronary artery disease or large saccular aneurysms at a high risk of rupturing.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A review of diagnostic methods and management strategies.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare non-atherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndromes defined as non-iatrogenic, non-traumatic separation of the coronary artery wall. The most common profile is a middle-aged woman between 44 and 53 years with few cardiovascular risk factors. SCAD is frequently linked with predisposing factors, such as postpartum, fibromuscular dysplasia or other vasculopathies, connective tissue disease and hormonal therapy, and it is often triggered by intense physical or emotional stress, sympathomimetic drugs, childbirth and activities increasing shear stress of the coronary artery walls. Patients with SCAD usually present at the emergency department with chest discomfort, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat or fluttery. During the last decades, the most common problem of SCAD was the lack of awareness about this condition which has led to significant underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. However, modern imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography, intravascular ultrasound, coronary angiography or magnetic resonance imaging have contributed to the early diagnosis of the disease. Treatment of SCAD remains controversial, especially during the last years, where invasive techniques are being used more often and in more emergent cardiac syndromes. Although conservative treatment combining aspirin and beta-blocker remains the recommended strategy in most cases, revascularization could also be suggested as a method of treatment in specific indications, but with a higher risk of complications. The prognosis of SCAD is usually good and long-term mortality seems to be low in these patients. Follow-up should be performed on a regular basis.

A Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Increases the Acute Response of Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Maximal Exercise in Heart Failure Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation program on the acute response on endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells after maximal exercise in patients with chronic heart failure of different severity. Methods: Forty-four chronic heart failure patients were enrolled in a 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program. All patients underwent an initial maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test before and a final maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test after the cardiac rehabilitation program. The patients were divided in two groups of severity according to the median value of peak VO2. Blood was collected at 4 time points; 2 time points at rest, and 2 time points after each cardiopulmonary exercise test. Five endothelial cellular populations were quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Although there was a higher increase in the mobilization of subgroups of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells after the final cardiopulmonary exercise test compared to the initial test within each severity group (p < 0.05), no significant differences between severity groups were observed (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program had similar beneficial effects on the acute response of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells after maximal exercise in patients with chronic heart failure of different severity.

Exercise Training Effects on Circulating Endothelial and Progenitor Cells in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue worldwide with increased prevalence and a high number of hospitalizations. Patients with chronic HF and either reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) present vascular endothelial dysfunction and significantly decreased circulating levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). EPCs are bone marrow-derived cells involved in endothelium regeneration, homeostasis, and neovascularization. One of the unsolved issues in the field of EPCs is the lack of an established method of identification. The most widely approved method is the use of monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis via flow cytometry. The most frequently used markers are CD34, VEGFR-2, CD45, CD31, CD144, and CD146. Exercise training has demonstrated beneficial effects on EPCs by increasing their number in peripheral circulation and improving their functional capacities in patients with HFrEF or HFmrEF. There are two potential mechanisms of EPCs mobilization: shear stress and the hypoxic/ischemic stimulus. The combination of both leads to the release of EPCs in circulation promoting their repairment properties on the vascular endothelium barrier. EPCs are important therapeutic targets and one of the most promising fields in heart failure and, therefore, individualized exercise training programs should be developed in rehabilitation centers.