Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents) - Volume 9, Issue 3, 2011

The metabolic syndrome (MS) has become the new epidemic of this century. Although its associated pathologies may vary, the most common are hypertension, central obesity, dyslipidemia, low High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), high Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), and type-2 diabetes. Several others can be present, such as hypertriglyceridemia, cardiopathies, atherosclerosis, altered levels of sex hormones, hypogonadism in m Read More

Tirofiban is a nonpeptide tyrosine derivative that together with eptifibatide (both small molecules) and abciximam belongs to the group of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Though similar to abciximab in that it has a high affinity for the GP IIbIIIa inhibitor receptor, tirofiban dissociates from it much faster tan abciximab, what makes its action reversible in a few hours. Initially used upstream for treatment of patients with non Read More

Platelets play an essential role in the regulation of hemostasis and thrombosis and controlling their level of activation is central to prevention of occlusive clot formation and stroke. Although a number of anti-platelet targets have been identified to address this issue including COX-1, the P2Y12 receptor, the integrin αIIbβ3, and more recently the protease-activated receptor-1, these targets often result in a significant increased ri Read More

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a sequel of a variety of cardiovascular and systemic diseases. Heterozygous mutation of BMPRII, a member of the TGFβ superfamily is the commonest genetic defect so far identified in PH. Recent advances have contributed a great deal to the understanding of the disease; however, the actual mechanism/s is not yet clear. Endothelial damage is the key underlying feature of PH. The main effects Read More

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a relatively common event in patients with advanced-stage liver cirrhosis, even in patients with a compensated disease. Because of the protean clinical manifestation of PVT, ranging from massive variceal bleeding and mesenteric infarction to the complete absence of any symptom, it is mandatory to provide an early diagnosis and a prompt management. However, even if various treatment Read More

Chronic pressure overload and atherosclerosis are primary etiologic factors for cardiac hypertrophy and failure. However, mechanisms underlying the transition from hypertrophy to heart failure are incompletely understood. We analyzed the development of heart failure in mice with chronic pressure overload induced by aortic constriction and compared the results with aged apolipoprotein E-deficient mice suffering from adv Read More