A New Score for Determining Thrombus Burden in STEMI Patients: The MAPH Score.

AIM: to investigate whether the MAPH score, which is a new score that combines blood viscosity biomarkers such as mean platelet volume (MPV), total protein and hematocrit, can be used to predict thrombus burden in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. METHODS: A total of 473 consecutive patients with STEMI were included in the study. Intracoronary tirofiban/abciximab infusion was applied to patients with thrombus load ≥3 and these patients (n = 71) were defined as the patient group with high thrombus load. MPV, age, hematocrit and total protein values of the patients were recorded. High shear rate (HSR) and low shear rate (LSR) were calculated from total protein and hematocrit values. Cut-off values were determined for high thrombus load by using Youden index, and score was determined as 0 or 1 according to cut-offs. The sum of the scores was calculated as the MAPH score. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 59.6 ± 12.6 (n = 354 male, 74.8%). There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender, HT and DM (P = .127, P = .402 and P = .576, respectively). In the group with high thrombus load; total protein, MPV and hematocrit values were higher (P < .001, P = .001 and P = .03, respectively). Comparison of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the MAPH score had better performance in predicting higher thrombus load than both other self-containing parameters and HSR and LSR. CONCLUSION: The MAPH score may be a new score that can be used to determine thrombus burden in STEMI patients.

Endogenous fibrinolysis-Relevance to clinical thrombosis risk assessment.

The development of an obstructive luminal thrombus is pathological and considered a failure of endogenous fibrinolysis. The consequences may be fatal, or result in lasting downstream organ damage. Therefore, assessment of endogenous fibrinolytic status in an individual may identify those at risk of occlusive thrombus formation and provide prognostic information. Arterial thrombi are more platelet rich and more resistant to fibrinolysis than venous thrombi. Several recent studies using global tests of fibrinolysis in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have shown that despite dual antiplatelet therapy, patients with impaired fibrinolytic status have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, compared with those with effective fibrinolytic function. Such data add significantly to the predictive value of established cardiovascular risk factors and conventional biomarkers. Most data reported have been obtained with the Global Thrombosis Test and the turbidimetric plasma clot lysis assay. A few small studies in patients with ischaemic stroke suggest a similar predictive role of fibrinolytic status assessment in these patients. Studies reporting an association between impaired fibrinolysis and future venous thrombotic events are limited, and in the form of case-control studies. Viscoelastic assays may have a role in the prediction of venous thromboembolic risk. Assays of fibrinolytic function should be used to obtain a more accurate risk of future thrombotic events, particularly in the setting of ACS. The availability of point-of-care tests helps facilitate this and should encourage future studies to assess personalised antithrombotic treatment combinations to optimise fibrinolytic status and reduce thrombosis risk.

High Thrombus Burden in Patients With COVID-19 Presenting With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is thought to predispose patients to thrombotic disease. To date there are few reports of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by type 1 myocardial infarction in patients with COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the demographic, angiographic, and procedural characteristics alongside clinical outcomes of consecutive cases of COVID-19-positive patients with STEMI compared with COVID-19-negative patients. METHODS: This was a single-center, observational study of 115 consecutive patients admitted with confirmed STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention at Barts Heart Centre between March 1, 2020, and May 20, 2020. RESULTS: Patients with STEMI presenting with concurrent COVID-19 infection had higher levels of troponin T and lower lymphocyte count, but elevated D-dimer and C-reactive protein. There were significantly higher rates of multivessel thrombosis, stent thrombosis, higher modified thrombus grade post first device with consequently higher use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and thrombus aspiration. Myocardial blush grade and left ventricular function were significantly lower in patients with COVID-19 with STEMI. Higher doses of heparin to achieve therapeutic activated clotting times were also noted. Importantly, patients with STEMI presenting with COVID-19 infection had a longer in-patient admission and higher rates of intensive care admission. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with STEMI and concurrent COVID-19 infection, there is a strong signal toward higher thrombus burden and poorer outcomes. This supports the need for establishing COVID-19 status in all STEMI cases. Further work is required to understand the mechanism of increased thrombosis and the benefit of aggressive antithrombotic therapy in selected cases.

Microvascular platelet aggregation and thrombosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage: A review and synthesis.

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been associated with numerous pathophysiological sequelae, including large artery vasospasm and microvascular thrombosis. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of experimental animal model studies and human autopsy studies that explore the temporal-spatial characterization and mechanism of microvascular platelet aggregation and thrombosis following SAH, as well as to critically assess experimental studies and clinical trials highlighting preventative therapeutic options against this highly morbid pathophysiological process. Upon review of the literature, we discovered that microvascular platelet aggregation and thrombosis occur after experimental SAH across multiple species and SAH induction techniques in a similar time frame to other components of DCI, occurring in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus across both hemispheres. We discuss the relationship of these findings to human autopsy studies. In the final section of this review, we highlight the important therapeutic options for targeting microvascular platelet aggregation and thrombosis, and emphasize why therapeutic targeting of this neurovascular pathology may improve patient care. We encourage ongoing research into the pathophysiology of SAH and DCI, especially in regard to microvascular platelet aggregation and thrombosis and the translation to randomized clinical trials.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Coronary Artery Disease: The Debacle of the Aspirin Era?

Long-standing aspirin is the cornerstone to prevent recurrence of thrombotic events in patients with ischemic heart disease. However, clopidogrel, a more potent antiplatelet agent, is preferred over aspirin in targeted populations, including those with a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, clopidogrel offers superior oral tolerance, and it may reduce the rates of intracranial hemorrhages compared with aspirin. However, an extensive inhibition of the coagulation cascade seems to be reasonable to minimize thrombotic events in such patients. After several failed exploratory investigations in the past with vitamin K antagonists, the newest direct oral anticoagulants may represent an alternative. To counterbalance bleeding complications, a low dose of these agents should be considered. Few publications have already showed promising results with the combination of clopidogrel and low-dose direct oral anticoagulants. Further investigations should be addressed to elucidate whether this is the downfall of the aspirin era for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events.

Impact of Smoking on Platelet Reactivity and Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Findings From the ADAPT-DES Study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a potent risk factor for coronary artery disease; however, prior studies describe increased platelet inhibition with clopidogrel among smokers, and some studies report improved outcomes among smokers, a finding described as the smoker's paradox. This study assessed the relationship between platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions among current smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS: ADAPT-DES (Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug-Eluting Stents) was a prospective, multicenter registry of patients treated with coronary drug-eluting stents. Platelet reactivity was assessed by the VerifyNow point-of-care assay; high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as P2Y12 reaction units >208. A propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis was performed to determine the relationship between current smoking, platelet reactivity, and subsequent adverse events. RESULTS: Among 8582 patients, 22.6% were active smokers at the time of their percutaneous coronary intervention procedure. Current smokers were younger and had fewer comorbidities compared with nonsmokers. Current smokers had lower mean P2Y12 reaction units and lower rates of HPR compared with nonsmokers. Current smokers had similar rates of adverse events compared with nonsmokers. HPR was associated with higher rates of adverse events for both smokers and nonsmokers; however, there was evidence of interaction between smoking status and the effect of HPR. Smokers with HPR had significantly higher rates of stent thrombosis. Adverse event rates were highest among current smokers with HPR. CONCLUSIONS: Current smoking was associated with lower P2Y12 reaction units and lower rates of HPR on average; however, the combination of current smoking and HPR was associated with high rates of stent thrombosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00638794.

Reasons for the Failure of Platelet Function Testing to Adjust Antiplatelet Therapy: Pharmacodynamic Insights From the ARCTIC Study.

BACKGROUND: In the ARCTIC trial (Assessment by a Double Randomization of a Conventional Antiplatelet Strategy Versus a Monitoring-Guided Strategy for Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation and of Treatment Interruption Versus Continuation One Year After Stenting), treatment adjustment following platelet function testing failed to improve clinical outcomes. However, high-on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) is considered as a predictor of poor ischemic outcome. This prespecified substudy evaluated clinical outcomes according to the residual platelet reactivity status after antiplatelet therapy adjustment. METHODS: We analyzed the 1213 patients assigned to the monitoring arm of the ARCTIC trial in whom platelet reactivity was evaluated by the VerifyNow P2Y12 test before percutaneous coronary intervention and during the maintenance phase (at 14 days). HPR was defined as platelet reaction unit≥235U. The primary ischemic end point, a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, or urgent revascularization and the safety end point of major bleeding were assessed according to the platelet reactivity status. RESULTS: Before percutaneous coronary intervention, 35.7% of patients displayed HPR (n=419). During the acute phase, between percutaneous coronary intervention and the 14-day platelet function testing, ischemic (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.74-1.18]; P=0.58) and safety outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 0.22-7.59]; P=0.78) were similar in HPR and non-HPR patients. During the maintenance phase, the proportion of HPR patients (n=186, 17.4%) decreased by 56%. At 1-year, there was no difference for the ischemic end point (5.9% versus 6.0%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.40-1.58]; P=0.51) and a nonsignificant higher rate of major bleedings (2.7% versus 1.0%, hazard ratio, 2.83 [95% CI, 0.96-8.41]; P=0.06) in HPR versus non-HPR patients. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of HPR was halved after platelet function testing and treatment adjustment but without significant ischemic benefit at 1 year. HPR seems more as a modifiable risk marker than a risk factor of ischemic outcome. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00827411.

Relationship Between Stent Diameter, Platelet Reactivity, and Thrombotic Events After Percutaneous Coronary Artery Revascularization.

Small vessel diameter and residual platelet reactivity are independent predictors of thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to determine whether an interaction exists between residual platelet reactivity and stent diameter regarding the occurrence of stent thrombosis and other adverse events after PCI. We stratified patients in the prospective ADAPT-DES registry who underwent single-lesion PCI according to if they received a small diameter stent (SDS, defined as a stent with a diameter of 2.25 mm). Patients receiving an SDS were compared with patients receiving a stent ≥2.5 mm using Kaplan-Meier rates and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. We defined major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis (ST). Among 5,608 patients who underwent single-lesion PCI in ADAPT-DES, 222 (4.0%) patients received an SDS. Patients with an SDS were more likely than patients without an SDS to have 3-vessel disease but received, on average, fewer stents and were less likely to present with a thrombotic lesion. Receiving versus not receiving an SDS was associated with increased risk of ST (adjusted hazard ratio 4.35, 95% confidence interval 1.95 to 9.73, p <0.001) as well as MACE (adjusted hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.11 to 2.75, p = 0.02). There was no statistical interaction between platelet reactivity and SDS regarding ST (p = 0.12) or MACE (p = 0.51). In conclusion, PCI with small drug-eluting stents is associated with a high risk of thrombotic events, including ST. Further studies should explore whether alternative treatment strategies are appropriate in small vessels.

Acute myocardial infarction in a young elite cyclist: a missed opportunity.

A 27-year-old elite-level professional cyclist presented to the emergency department with a 6-hour history of chest pain and vomiting after prematurely aborting a competitive event. ECG demonstrated anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, and blood tests revealed a grossly elevated high-sensitivity troponin T. Emergent coronary angiography confirmed the presence of a thrombus in the mid-left anterior descending artery with possible spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The patient recovered well following balloon angioplasty and thrombus aspiration, despite delayed recognition, invasive investigation and intervention.

Arterial and venous thrombosis by high platelet count and high hematocrit: 108 521 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether high platelet count or high hematocrit predict risk of thrombosis in individuals from the general population. OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that individuals from the general population with high platelet count or high hematocrit have high risk of arterial and venous thrombosis. METHODS: We prospectively followed 108 521 individuals from The Copenhagen General Population Study for a median of 8 years. Platelet count and blood hematocrit were measured at study entry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for individuals with platelet counts in the top 5 percentiles (>398 × 109 /L) vs in the 25th-75th percentiles (231-316 × 109 /L) were 1.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-2.24) for arterial thrombosis in the brain (38 and 26 events/10 000 person-years) and 0.82 (95%, 0.61-1.11) for arterial thrombosis in the heart (23 and 28 events/10 000 person-years). For individuals with hematocrit values in the top 5 percentiles (women/men: >45/>48%) vs the 25th-75th percentiles (women/men: 38.1-42/41.1-45%), hazard ratios were 1.27 (95% CI, 0.91-1.75) for arterial thrombosis in the brain (40 and 26 events/10 000 person-years) and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.06-2.00) for arterial thrombosis in the heart (43 and 25 events/10 000 person-years). Neither high platelet count nor high hematocrit was associated with risk of venous thromboembolism. When excluding individuals with myeloproliferative neoplasia from the main analyses, results on risk of thrombosis were similar. In this prospective study, high platelet counts were associated with 1.8-fold risk of arterial thrombosis in the brain, whereas high hematocrit was associated with 1.5-fold risk of arterial thrombosis in the heart.

Platelet reactivity inhibition following ticagrelor loading dose in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor induces more potent platelet reactivity (PR) inhibition with reduced interindividual variability compared to clopidogrel. Although on-clopidogrel PR was shown to correlate with ischemia and bleeding events, no study has investigated the relationship between on-ticagrelor PR and outcome. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between on-ticagrelor PR, assessed by the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein index (VASP), and thrombotic and bleeding events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We performed a prospective, multicenter observational study on patients treated with PCI for ACS. The VASP index was used to assess PR after ticagrelor loading dose (LD). The primary endpoint was the link between major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and PR. RESULTS: Among the 530 patients with ACS included, 183 (34.5%) were admitted for ST elevation myocardial infarction. We observed high potency and limited interindividual variability after the ticagrelor LD (VASP 19.1% ± 16.6%). At 1 month, 21 (3.8%) MACE and 29 (5.5%) bleedings ≥ 2 according to the Bleedings Academic Research Consortium (BARC) scale were recorded. Neither MACE nor bleeding was associated with PR (P = .34 and P = .78, respectively). However, there was a strong association between PR and the occurrence of definite acute stent thrombosis (P = .03). Platelet reactivity was the only factor associated with acute definite stent thrombosis. CONCLUSION: In patients receiving a ticagrelor LD while undergoing PCI for ACS, PR using the VASP did not predict MACE or bleeding, but it was significantly associated with the occurrence of definite acute stent thrombosis.

Acute myocardial infarction and transient elevated anticardiolipin antibody in a young adult with possible familial hypercholesterolemia: a case report : Anticardiolipin antibody and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can lead to premature coronary heart disease. Anticardiolipin antibody may be a contributor for thrombosis. Here, we report an adult with possible FH suffered from premature myocardial infarction that may be triggered by transient increased anticardiolipin antibody. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old male had presented with a history of 2-h chest pain and numbness of left upper arm before 5 days. The electrocardiogram (ECG) had demonstrated inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI). Five days later he was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as acute MI and possible FH (premature coronary heart disease, low density lipoprotein cholesterol of 5.90 mmol/L) with increased anticardiolipin antibody (up to 120 RU/ml). Other auto-antibodies including ß2-glicoprotein antibodies IgM, IgA, IgG, lupus anticoagulant (LA), antinuclear antibodies, anti-myocardial antibody were normal. Coronary artery angiography (CAG) showed right coronary artery was total occlusion from the middle segment. Then he underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with a stent. Four days later, he was discharged with complete recovery. CAG showed intra-stent restenosis and anticardiolipin antibody level was normal and the patient had no any symptoms at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transient elevated anticardiolipin antibody may be a trigger or biomarker of cardiac thrombotic events in younger atherosclerotic patients.

Updated Expert Consensus Statement on Platelet Function and Genetic Testing for Guiding P2Y12 Receptor Inhibitor Treatment in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is the standard treatment for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The availability of different P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) with varying levels of potency has enabled physicians to contemplate individualized treatment regimens, which may include escalation or de-escalation of P2Y12-inhibiting therapy. Indeed, individualized and alternative DAPT strategies may be chosen according to the clinical setting (stable coronary artery disease vs. acute coronary syndrome), the stage of the disease (early- vs. long-term treatment), and patient risk for ischemic and bleeding complications. A tailored DAPT approach may be potentially guided by platelet function testing (PFT) or genetic testing. Although the routine use of PFT or genetic testing in percutaneous coronary intervention-treated patients is not recommended, recent data have led to an update in guideline recommendations that allow considering selective use of PFT for DAPT de-escalation. However, guidelines do not expand on when to implement the selective use of such assays into decision making for personalized treatment approaches. Therefore, an international expert consensus group of key leaders from North America, Asia, and Europe with expertise in the field of antiplatelet treatment was convened. This document updates 2 prior consensus papers on this topic and summarizes the contemporary updated expert consensus recommendations for the selective use of PFT or genotyping in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Platelet-Rich Emboli in Cerebral Large Vessel Occlusion Are Associated With a Large Artery Atherosclerosis Source.

Background and Purpose- Nearly 30% of large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke clots are from an unknown source. We assessed histological clot composition in a series of patients with large vessel occlusion and investigated correlations between clot composition and stroke pathogenesis. Methods- As part of the multi-institutional STRIP registry (Stroke Thromboembolism Registry of Imaging and Pathology), consecutive emboli retrieved during mechanical thrombectomy were stained using Martius Scarlett Blue and analyzed using machine learning software. We assessed proportions of red blood cells, fibrin, platelets, and white blood cells. Correlations between clot components and stroke pathogenesis (large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, and stroke of undetermined pathogenesis) were assessed using SPSS22. Results- One hundred five patients were included. The proportion of platelet-rich clots (55.0% versus 21.2%; P=0.005) and percentage of platelet content (22.1±4.2% versus 13.9±14.2%; P=0.03) was significantly higher in the large artery atherosclerosis group compared with the cardioembolic group. The proportion of platelet-rich clots (50.0% versus 21.2%; P=0.024) was also significantly higher in the cryptogenic group compared with cardioembolic cases. Large artery atherosclerosis and cryptogenic cases had a similar proportion of platelet-rich clots (55.0% versus 50.0%; P=0.636). There was no significant difference between stroke pathogenesis and the other major clot components. Conclusions- High platelet content of emboli is associated with a large artery atherosclerosis etiology of large vessel occlusion.

Relationship Between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Thrombus Burden in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Increased coronary thrombus burden is known to be a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) can be used as a surrogate marker of pro-inflammation which is closely related to prothrombotic state. We aimed to evaluate the association between CAR and coronary thrombus burden in patients who presented with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients who presented with ACS and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups as high thrombus burden and low thrombus burden. The study population included 347 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (169 [48.7%]) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (178 [51.3%]). The CAR was significantly higher in patients with higher thrombus burden (24.4 [1.2-30.2] vs 31.9 [2.2-31.3], P < .001). Independent predictors for increased thrombus burden were higher CRP level (odds ratio [OR]: 0.047; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004-0.486; P = .010), lower serum albumin level (OR: 0.057; 95% CI: 0.033-0.990; P = .049), higher CAR (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.03-1.23; P = .008), higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.05-1.31; P = .004), and baseline troponin I level (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.13; P = .017). Novel CAR can be used as a reliable marker for increased coronary thrombus burden that is associated with adverse CV outcomes.

Postmortem IgE determination in coronary artery disease.

Allergic, IgE-mediated inflammation is thought to play a role in atherogenesis and atherosclerotic disease progression. In this study, total IgE and mast cell tryptase were measured in a series of forensic autopsy cases including non-allergic cardiac deaths (14 cases with minimal or no coronary atherosclerosis, 14 cases with significant coronary artery atherosclerosis without acute coronary thrombosis, and 14 cases with significant coronary artery atherosclerosis and acute coronary thrombosis or myocardial infarction) and non-allergic non-cardiac deaths (21 cases with death due to hanging and 21 cases with death due to intracranial gunshot wounds), in order to correlate laboratory results with morphological findings and compare them to conclusions reported in the clinical setting. In cardiac death cases, postmortem serum total IgE levels were increased in 7 out of 42 cases and mast cell tryptase levels were increased in 3 out of 42 cases. In non-cardiac death cases, postmortem serum total IgE levels were not increased in 39 out of 42 cases and mast cell tryptase levels were not increased in any of these cases. These preliminary findings seem to indicate that a portion of coronary deaths characterized by coronary artery atherosclerosis of various severities are also characterized by increased total IgE and mast cell tryptase levels, thus corroborating the data previously reported in both clinical and forensic literature on this topic as well as the necessity of combining morphological investigations focusing on the heart and coronary arteries with biochemical analyses.

Combination of Mean Platelet Volume and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We hypothesized that the combination of a high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) would be a stronger predictor of future cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Both NLR and MPV were measured in 364 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. The primary end point was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis. The median values of NLR and MPV were 2.8 and 8.2 fL, respectively. There were 26 MACEs during a median follow-up duration of 29.3 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the higher NLR group had a significantly higher MACE rate than the lower NLR group and that the higher MPV group had a significantly higher MACE rate than the lower MPV group (log-rank: P = .0064 and P = .0004, respectively). The cumulative MACE-free survival can be further stratified by the combination of NLR and MPV. This value was especially useful in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). By multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the combination of high NLR and high MPV was independently associated with MACE ( P = .026). The combination of a high NLR and high MPV is an independent predictor of MACE after PCI, especially in patients with ACS.

Update on pathological platelet activation in coronary thrombosis.

Although coronary thrombosis (CT) is integral to cardiovascular outcomes, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. CT may occur in case of atherosclerotic plaque erosion/rupture, or even after stenting implantation. Platelets (PLT) activation is the keystone of atherothrombosis and depends on many dysregulated elements, including endothelial dysfunction, oxidized lipoproteins, and immune response. Besides the classical view of PLT as an effector of hemostatic response, a new repertoire of PLT activities is emerging. PLT lipidome oxidation is a self-maintaining process which promotes PLT reactivity, coagulation cascade, and inflammatory cell activation. PLT-innate immune cell interaction is also sustained by neutrophil extracellular traps and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. Other noteworthy emerging mechanisms are implicated in the crosstalk between PLT and surrounding cells. Especially, microvesicles (MVs) released from PLT may extend their signaling network far beyond the classical cell-cell interactions. Moreover, the recognition of noncoding RNA in PLT MVs introduce another layer of complexity in terms of intercellular signaling by a direct regulation of messenger RNA profile and gene expression in the recipient cells. The aim of this narrative review is to update the recent advance in CT and intracoronary stent thrombosis, including causal factors and potential translation of experimental evidence into the clinical setting.

Emergence of omega-3 fatty acids in biomedical research.

Shortly after the discovery that linoleic acid was an essential fatty acid in 1930, α-linolenic acid also was reported to prevent the fatty acid deficiency syndrome in animals. However, several prominent laboratories could not confirm the findings with α-linolenic acid, and as a result there was a loss of interest in omega-3 fatty acids in lipid research. Even the findings that a prostaglandin can be synthesized from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is necessary for optimum retinal function generated only limited interest in omega-3 fatty acids. The breakthrough came in the 1970s when Dyerberg and Bang reported that the low incidence of atherosclerotic coronary disease in Greenland Eskimos was due to the high marine lipid content of their diet. They subsequently found that EPA, which was increased in Eskimo plasma, inhibited platelet aggregation, and they concluded that the low incidence of coronary artery disease was due to the anti-thrombotic effect of EPA. This stimulated widespread interest and research in EPA and DHA, leading to the present view that, like their omega-6 counterparts, omega-3 fatty acids have important physiological functions and are essential fatty acids.