Autoimmune and inflammatory responses may have an additive effect in postpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty restenosis

Effects of Preoperative WBC Count on Post-CABG Surgery Clinical Outcome

OBJECTIVE

White blood cells (WBCs) play a major role in inflammation, with effects on the vascular wall, the microvascular blood flow, and endothelial cells and endothelial function. Previous studies have shown that a high WBC count may increase the risk of cardiovascular complication rate and mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between preoperative WBC count and the post-CABG clinical outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective study that was based on 239 patients who underwent CABG surgery in our medical center. Statistical analysis estimated the effect of WBC count in postoperative clinical outcomes, including atrial fibrillation, length of stay, readmission rate, and death.

RESULTS

The preoperative WBC count was associated with longer hospitalization length (B = 0.392, P < 0.01). A preoperative WBC count >8150/μL predicted a longer stay (Z = 2.090, P = 0.03). A low lymphocyte count was associated with atrial fibrillation (B = -0.543, P = 0.03). Female patients were older (Z = 2.920, P < 0.01), had impaired renal function (Z = -3.340, P < 0.01), and had a higher rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation (df 2 = 3.780, P = 0.05) and readmission (df 2 = 5.320, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative WBC count may have an effect on the postoperative clinical outcome in patients undergoing CABG. Surgeons should pay more attention to patients' WBC count and sex and plan surgery and postoperative management accordingly.

Enhanced inflammatory response to coronary stenting marks the development of clinically relevant restenosis

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of coronary stenting on the release of cytokines and cell-mediated immunity factors and to evaluate the association between inflammation and clinical outcomes at 6 months.

BACKGROUND

Circulating levels of inflammatory markers and cytokines are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndromes and are related to an unfavorable outcome. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of coronary stenting on the release of cytokines and cell-mediated immunity factors and to evaluate the association between inflammation and clinical outcomes at 6 months.

METHODS

Forty patients with single native coronary artery disease treated with stenting were enrolled. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected before and 6 h, 48 h, and 12 weeks after stenting. Serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (markers of inflammation) and serum-soluble interleukin-2 receptor for T-lymphocyte activation (sIL2-R, marker of cell-mediated immunity) were measured. Patients also were evaluated clinically one, 3, and 6 months post-stenting or when they presented with cardiovascular symptoms to identify major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, MI, revascularization).

RESULTS

Concentrations of interleukins 6 and 8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha peaked at 6 h (11.0, 12.6, and 5.3 pg/ml, respectively). The peak level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.77 mg/dL) occurred 48 h post stenting, while sIL2-R peaked (495 U/ml) at 12 weeks. Patients who experienced restenosis had higher levels of C-reactive protein at 48 h (4.94 vs. 1.84 mg/dl; P = 0.043) and of IL-8 at 6 h (26.75 vs. 13.55 pg/mL; P = 0.048) than those without restenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory markers are released into the peripheral circulation early after coronary stenting, and increased levels of some are associated with clinically relevant restenosis.

Angioplasty and noncardiac surgery: risks of myocardial infarction

Prophylactic percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is one revascularization strategy employed to reduce risks of cardiac complications after noncardiac surgery in certain patients. Reduced adverse cardiac event rates are at least partially offset by costs and complications of angioplasty. Patients who undergo noncardiac surgery within 90 days of coronary angioplasty may be at increased risk for postoperative cardiac complications.

Inflammatory response after intervention assessed by serial C-reactive protein measurements correlates with restenosis in patients treated with coronary stenting

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that a higher degree of inflammatory response to coronary stenting, as measured by the change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after intervention in patients with stable or unstable angina, would be related to a higher risk of in-stent restenosis.

METHODS

We studied 1800 consecutive patients with stable or unstable angina treated with coronary stenting. C-reactive protein levels were serially measured before and after the intervention. The difference (Delta) between highest CRP values after intervention and CRP values before intervention was calculated. Patients were grouped into tertiles according to DeltaCRP values. The primary end point was angiographic restenosis (diameter stenosis > or = 50% at 6-month angiography). The secondary end point was clinical restenosis, defined as target vessel revascularization performed in the presence of angiographic restenosis and symptoms or signs of ischemia.

RESULTS

No relationship was found between CRP values at baseline and angiographic restenosis (P = .88). On the other hand, the change between baseline and peak postintervention CRP values strongly correlated with angiographic restenosis (30.5% in the upper tertile with DeltaCRP values >11.8 mg/L, 25.3% in the middle tertile with DeltaCRP values 3.0-11.8 mg/L, and 21.5% in the lower tertile with DeltaCRP values < 3.0 mg/L, P = .002) as well as with clinical restenosis (P = .01). Patients in the upper tertile had the highest risk of restenosis even after adjustment for other covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

The inflammatory response to coronary stenting as assessed by the change in CRP correlates with the development of in-stent restenosis. These findings provide strong support for the role of inflammation in restenosis.

Anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies are Associated with Restenosis after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to palliate cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) has been associated with high restenosis rates, possibly related to increased inflammation associated with this disease. Whether markers of immunologic rejection are associated with restenosis in this population is unknown. The goal of the study was to determine the predictors of restenosis after PCI for CAV.

METHODS

Records were reviewed retrospectively from a single, high-volume cardiac transplant center. Clinical, angiographic, and immunologic data were collected on all patients postorthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) that had subsequent PCI. Restenosis was defined as greater than 50% stenosis at the previous intervention site.

RESULTS

PCI was successfully performed on 62 de novo lesions in 40 patients an average of 6.8+/-3.9 years after OHT. Angiographic follow-up data was available for 79%, with an average follow-up of 1.54+/-1.22 years. The 1-year restenosis rate was 49% (64% for balloon percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and 33% for coronary stenting [P=0.09 for difference]). The frequency of immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen was highly associated with risk of restenosis (hazard ratio [HR] 11.33, P=0.01). Greater stenosis severity and smaller target vessel diameter were also predictors of restenosis as in the nontransplant population.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that in patients postPCI for CAV, humoral allo-immunity may contribute to restenosis and that IgG antibodies to MHC class I antigen may help predict the risk of restenosis after PCI in this population.

Pre-existing anticardiolipin antibodies and development of restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty

Immune mechanisms play a critical role in cardiovascular disease. Cardiolipins are candidate autoantigens with a prothrombotic activity of their corresponding antibodies. We investigated the influence of pre-existing immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies on restenosis after coronary balloon angioplasty and their interaction with tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1, von Willebrand factor and lipoprotein (a) in 132 patients with stable angina pectoris using immunoassays. Thirty percent of patients developed angiographically proven restenosis estimated by three independent experienced angiographers; 12% of all patients developed recurrent restenoses at the same site during a follow-up period of 2 years. Circulating IgM aCL antibodies categorized by quartiles predicted recurrent restenoses (logistic regression, for trend P < 0.04) with an increase of relative risk (RR) per quartile of 2.09. The predictive value of IgM aCL antibodies was unchanged adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors (P = 0.028, RR = 2.69), extent of coronary artery disease (P = 0.014, RR = 2.73) and inflammatory parameters (P = 0.025, RR = 2.79), but lost significance adjusting for other prothrombotic parameters (P = 0.24, RR = 1.76). IgM aCL antibodies positively correlated with lipoprotein (a) (r = 0.23, P = 0.04). However, there was no significant interaction between their influences on recurrent restenoses. The other prothrombotic parameters did not predict single or recurrent restenoses. In conclusion, IgM aCL antibodies may help to identify a group of patients at high risk for recurrent restenoses after coronary balloon angioplasty.

Prospective evaluation of hydroperoxide plasma levels and stable nitric oxide end products in patients subjected to angioplasty for coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress appears to be involved in several processes that contribute to atherogenesis and restenosis following vascular intervention.

METHODS

The aim of our study was to evaluate prospectively the plasma concentrations of a hydroperoxide (ROOH) and nitric oxide end product (NO(x)) in patients subjected to coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and routine control angiography 6 months after the initial procedure. We prospectively studied 48 consecutive patients (39 men, nine women, mean age 52 years) with stable angina who underwent successful elective angioplasty. A vascular segment was considered successfully treated when the residual luminal narrowing in the dilated segment immediately after angioplasty was <50%. Angiographic follow-up was obtained in all of the patients. Plasma samples were drawn at baseline (before angioplasty) and serially after angioplasty (1, 3 and 6 months afterwards). Hydroperoxides were determined by the FOX II assay (ferrous oxidation in xylenol orange, Pierce Rockford, IL). Nitrate was converted in the presence of NO3 reductase. The Griess reagent was used for the measurement of NO2.

RESULTS

The overall angiographic restenosis rate was 35%. There were no significant differences in clinical variables between the patients with or without restenosis. The baseline levels (0.8+/-0.09 vs. 0.6+/-0.2 micromol/l) as well as the concentrations of authentic lipid hydroperoxide in plasma after 1 month (0.7+/-0.09 vs. 1.0+/-0.2 micromol/l) and 6 months (0.8+/-0.1 vs. 1.0+/-0.2 micromol/l) were similar in both groups. Three months after the angioplasty a significant increase in the ROOH level was noticed in the patients with restenosis (0.9+/-0.1 vs. 1.4+/-0.2, P=0.04). Plasma levels of NO(x) were similar in both groups at baseline (23.6+/-2.1 vs. 22.7+/-2.6 micromol/l) and 1 month after procedure (24.4+/-2.2 vs. 23.4+/-3.3 micromol/l). However, in patients with restenosis significant decreases in stable NO end products were observed 3 and 6 months after PTCA (18.1+/-1.5 vs. 13.3+/-1.7, P=0.04; 14.2+/-1.0 vs. 8.7+/-1.3, P=0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with angiographic restenosis a significant increase in lipid peroxidation accompanied by a reduction in the stable end products of nitric oxide in plasma is observed several months after PTCA.

[Late T-lymphocyte and monocyte activation in coronary restenosis. Evidence for a persistent inflammatory/immune mechanism?]

AIMS

This study was made to determine if restenosis after percutaneous coronary angioplasty is associated with acute or chronic inflammatory/immunologic activity, and explored possible relationships with latent infection.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Forty-six consecutive patients underwent elective PTCA and 6 months of angiographic follow-up. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained at baseline, 24-48 h, and 4-6 months post-intervention. Flow-cytometric methods were used to measure early and late circulating leukocyte activation status. Il-6 and TNF-alpha cytokines, and Il-2 soluble receptor concentrations were determined in all plasma samples. Chlamydia pneumoniae and Cytomegalovirus antibody assays were performed to detect infectious disease.

RESULTS

Angiographic coronary stenosis developed in 27 out of 46 patients. At 6 months of follow-up, these patients showed a significant increase in circulating cytotoxic T-lymphocytes CD3+/CD56+ (18.8 7.1 vs 6.12 2.7%; p = 0.005) and activated monocytes (CD11b: 1,383 624 vs 990 484 MFI, p = 0.025; CD64: 76.0 28.7 vs 56.7 21.8 MFI; p = 0.014), with no apparent relation to increased cytokines or latent infectious disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Restenosis appears to be associated to inflammatory and immunological activity that persists 6 months after coronary intervention. No relationship was found with the infections studied. The presence of inflammatory activity 4-6 months after PTCA suggess that pharmacological therapeutic interventions to prevent restenosis should be maintained for months.

Delayed re-endothelialization and T-cell infiltration following intracoronary radiation therapy in the porcine model

PURPOSE

To evaluate the late induction of apoptosis following intracoronary radiation (IR) and the effects of IR on inflammatory cells.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Porcine coronaries were injured by balloon overstretch followed by either 0 or 15 Gy of 192Ir prescribed to 2 mm from the center of the source. Swine were euthanized at 3, 7, and 14 days posttreatment, and arteries were stained for markers of smooth muscle cells (SMCs alpha-actin), T cells (CD3), macrophages, endothelial cells, and apoptotic nuclei (terminal uridine nick end labeling, TUNEL). Intimal area (IA) and IA corrected for medial fracture length (IA/FL) were quantified by digital image analysis, which was also used to quantify the distribution of immunostain-positive cells in the adventitia, media, and neointima, respectively.

RESULTS

IA/FL was significantly reduced following treatment with 15 Gy, in association with decreased SMC density. Following injury and IR, TUNEL- and CD3-positive cell density increased significantly, and density of macrophages was increased in the adventitia and neointima. Staining for endothelial cells revealed a delay of re-endothelialization after radiation treatment.

CONCLUSION

Increased T-cell infiltration at the medial tear following IR, perhaps due to incomplete re-endothelialization, may indicate incomplete healing. The elevated apoptosis of these infiltrating T cells may indicate a mechanism for the resolution of inflammation.

Activation of the immune system and coronary artery disease: the role of anti-endothelial cell antibodies

On the basis of the role of immuno-mediated inflammation in atherosclerosis we investigated, (1) the prevalence of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in ischaemic heart disease (IHD); (2) if beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2-GPI) was the target antigen of AECA; (3) the relationship between AECA, tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). In 93 consecutive IHD patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and 105 controls AECA were detected by ELISA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). AECA positive sera were evaluated for anti-beta2-GPI antibodies by ELISA. TF and TFPI plasma levels were assessed by ELISA. Twelve of 93 (12.9%) IHD patients and only one of 105 controls (0.95%) were AECA positive. The prevalence of AECA was higher in unstable angina (UA) than in effort angina (EA) (P=0.01). Three of 12 AECA positive sera resulted positive for anti-beta2-GPI and showed a marked decrease in EC-binding when tested on HUVEC cultured in serum-free medium. The binding was restored by the addition of beta2-GPI. TF and TFPI levels were similar in AECA positive and AECA negative patients. The rate of angiographically documented clinical recurrences was 66.7% in the AECA positive and 14.8% in the AECA negative group (P=0.0004) with a significant relationship between restenosis and AECA (P<0.0001), unchanged by the inclusion of cardiovascular risk factors in the regression model. Our results suggest a 'role' for AECA in the immune-mediated inflammation in UA beta2-GPI is not the only AECA target antigen. AECA are not responsible for high TF and TFPI levels. The high rate of clinical recurrences after PTCA, confirmed by angiography, in AECA positive patients is in line with such a role and suggests further large-scale 'ad hoc' studies.

Influence of serum amyloid A on the decrease of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in active sarcoidosis

OBJECTIVE

We have previously observed low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in active sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of serum amyloid A (SAA) on this lipid disorder.

METHODS

Eighty five untreated sarcoid patients, 40 with active disease and 45 with inactive disease, were recruited. Sarcoidosis activity was evaluated by means of clinical, chest X-ray, gallium-67 scan, serum angiotensin converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptidase A) values, and pulmonary function tests. Analysis of lipoprotein metabolism included: serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL(2)-cholesterol, HDL(3)-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and triglyceride concentrations. Serum amyloid A protein and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were measured.

RESULTS

In active sarcoidosis we found significantly reduced levels of HDL-cholesterol (1.17+/-0.36 vs. 1. 44+/-0.39 mmol/l, P=0.002), HDL(3)-cholesterol (0.78+/-0.23 vs. 1. 02+/-0.21 mmol/l, P<0.0001), and apo A-I (1.36+/-0.29 vs. 1.61+/-0. 27 g/l, P<0.0001) and significantly increased levels of triglyceride (1.51+/-0.64 vs. 1.03+/-0.46 mmol/l, P<0.0001), and apo B (1.14+/-0. 25 vs. 0.99+/-0.27 g/l, P=0.012) versus inactive sarcoidosis. Serum amyloid A concentrations were significantly increased in the patients with active disease (155.45+/-154.01 mg/ml) compared to the inactive sarcoid patients (89.70+/-65.36 mg/ml) (P=0.011). There were no significant differences in cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL(2)-cholesterol or LCAT values between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-cholesterol (regression coefficient b=-1.96; S.E.=0.87; P=0.02) and SAA (regression coefficient b=0.01; S.E.=0.004; P=0.01) were the two variables independently associated with disease activity. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between SAA levels and both HDL-cholesterol (r=-0.39; P=0.01) and apo A-I (r=-0.35; P=0.03) levels, in the active sarcoid group. Conversely, no correlation was found in the inactive sarcoid group.

CONCLUSION

The low HDL-cholesterol and apo A-I concentrations seen in active sarcoid patients are associated with a significant increase of SAA levels. We suggest that the displacement of apo A-I by SAA on HDL accounts for the lower level of HDL-cholesterol seen in active sarcoidosis.