Current Vascular Pharmacology - Volume 11, Issue 1, 2013

Chronic arterial occlusion leads to growth of collaterals - a process termed arteriogenesis, in which macrophages play a prominent role in remodelling and growth. However, a detailed analysis which of distinct macrophage subpopulations involved in arteriogenesis has never been performed. In the present study the temporal and spatial distribution of macrophage subtypes during arteriogenesis in a rat model with Read More

Objective: Lack of the adhesion molecule CD44 reduces collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis) in a murine hindlimb model. CD44 function is influenced by expression of 10 alternatively spliced exons (v1-v10), with unknown effects on arteriogenesis. As the variant exon CD44v3 binds heparan sulphate and facilitates preservation of growth factors, we hypothesized that the variably spliced exon region of CD44, especiall Read More

Objective: The adaptive growth of blood vessels is important to prevent tissue loss following arterial occlusion. Extravasation of monocytes is essential for this process. The peptidase CD26 targets SDF-1 alpha, a chemokine regulating monocyte trafficking. We hypothesized that blocking SDF-1 alpha inactivation, using a commercially available CD26 inhibitor, accelerates perfusion recovery without detrimental side effects Read More

Hif-1α, a master regulator of ischemia-responsive gene induction, controls pro-angiogenic gene expression of VEGF-A, flt-1, IGF-1 and erythropoietin, rendering its overexpression an attractive tool for therapeutic neovascularization. Utilizing an adenoviral vector system, we investigated the efficacy of selective pressure-regulated venous retroinfusion of an enhanced Hif-1α mutant (Hif-1α/VP16) in a randomiz Read More

Aims: Recent data have demonstrated the feasibility of therapeutic induction of coronary collateral growth (arteriogenesis); however, mechanisms of action of such therapeutic collateral stimulation in humans are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential mechanisms, especially the involvement of arteriogenesis-relevant genes. Methods and Results: A total of 52 patients were randomized into two groups: subcuta Read More

Antiplatelet therapy plays an important role in the management of atherosclerotic disease and numerous studies have shown their efficacy in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Antiplatelets are given in patients subjected to lower limb bypass aiming not only to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity but also improve graft patency. Various antiplatelet agents have been used for this purpose. The Read More

Statins exert several beneficial effects on patients with peripheral arterial disease, whether managed conservatively or undergoing open surgical/endovascular procedures. Statins improve perioperative and long-term mortality and morbidity rates in these patients. There is also evidence that statins improve infrainguinal bypass graft patency rates and are associated with reduced graft restenosis and amputation Read More

Stroke is a devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide every year. Female stroke victims have higher mortality rates and they do not re-cover as well as men. Women's longevity and different vascular risk factor burden like a larger prevalence of atrial fibrillation play a role. Women also have unique risk factors such as oral contraception, pregnancy, estrogen decrease after the menopause and hormone replacemen Read More

In recent years, we have witnessed a revolution in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The development and improvement of drug eluting stents (DES) have lowered the incidence of restenosis to one-digit figures. In the search for a superior efficacy, animal models have played a key role. The classical swine model of coronary stenting remains the preferred model to measure restenosis, although the rabbit iliac artery Read More

Objectives: Some early trials comparing intensive glucose control in type 2 diabetics with an acute myocardial infarction (MI) reported a decrease in mortality over a short period of follow up leading to a presumption of improved survival with intensive glucose control. Later data refuted this hypothesis. The 2009 ACC/AHA focused update on ST elevation MI gave a weak recommendation for the use of an insulin based regime Read More

Background: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have been shown to play a role in cardiovascular protection by reducing ischemia reperfusion injury, producing anti-inflammatory effects, and promoting angiogenesis. EETs are regulated through conversion to less active corresponding diols by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Inhibition of sEH enhances the beneficial properties of EETs and has been investigated as a possible tre Read More

Introduction/Aim: We reviewed the literature for studies evaluating the effects of statins on vascular patients undergoing open surgical or endovascular procedures. Methods: MEDLINE was searched using the search terms “statins and vascular surgery”, “statins and endovascular procedures”, “statins and perioperative effects” and “statins and postoperative complications”. Results: Preoperative statin use is associ Read More