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Biomedical subjects

R S More

Publications and source records attributed to R S More.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Changes in vessel wall plasminogen activator activity and smooth muscle cell proliferation and activation after arterial injury.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to examine changes in vessel wall fibrinolytic activity following angioplasty and to assess any relationship to changes in smooth muscle cell proliferation and activation. METHODS: Balloon angioplasty was performed to the iliac arteries of New Zealand White rabbits and vessel wall changes assessed at 2 h, 1 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 1 month postprocedure. Tissue-type (tPA) and urokinase-type (uPA) plasminogen activator activity was assessed using chromogenic substrate assays, while smooth muscle cell proliferation and activation was monitored using expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) respectively. RESULTS: Intimal thickening progressively increased up to 1 month. uPA activity increased at 2 h [1.94(SEM 0.19) v 1.59(0.05) U.mg-1 tissue for control vessels, P = 0.03], remained increased at 24 h, but by 7 d had decreased to below control levels and remained low. In contrast, tPA activity fell significantly at 2 h [0.9(0.3) v 1.96(0.13) micrograms.mg-1 tissue for control vessels, P = 0.03], remained low at 24 h, but by 7 d had reverted back to control levels [2.19(0.39) micrograms.mg-1]. PCNA positivity of the media increased at day 1, reached maximum on day 7 [16.9(5.1)% positively staining cells] before returning to baseline by 1 month. PCNA positivity of the intima first evident at day 7 [0.7(0.3)%], reached a maximum at day 14 [4.1(0.4)%]. bFGF expression increased early at 2 h [mean(SE) positively staining cells: 15.7(5.3)% v 11.2(4.8)% for control vessels] and continued to increase, reaching a maximum in the media at day 7 [59(8.6)%] and in the intima at day 14 [57.5(5.7)%]. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon injury produced an initial fall in tPA and rise in uPA activity. tPA increased back to control levels by 7 d, while uPA fell to below control levels at 7 d and 1 month. This would be compatible with a mechanism whereby acute injury suppressed tPA and upregulated uPA activity, with increased tPA activity acting as a marker for vessel repair.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1994

Monitoring anticoagulation following intracoronary procedures: which method?

We have assessed bedside kits for monitoring the activated partial thromboplastin time and the activated clotting time by comparing them with laboratory activated partial thromboplastin time values. To determine the accuracy of anticoagulation we have concurrently measured the plasma heparin concentrations, and plasma prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentrations. Serial samples were taken from patients undergoing elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n = 14). Readings were taken pre-procedure, 30 min after administration of a heparin bolus (10,000 U) and 1, 2 and 3 h after commencement of a constant heparin infusion (15 U/kg/h) postprocedure. Activated partial thromboplastin time results obtained with the bedside kit compared reliably with laboratory values (r = 0.8), were rapidly available and were reflected by appropriate changes in prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 and heparin concentrations. However, the relationship between activated partial thromboplastin time values and activated clotting time was less precise (r = 0.59). Therefore, for routine and frequent monitoring of anticoagulation with heparin, a bedside activated partial thromboplastin time kit provides adequate control of therapy but in instances were particularly tight control of anticoagulation is required, use of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentrations may be more appropriate.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1994

A time sequence of vessel wall changes in an experimental model of angioplasty.

A detailed temporal sequence of vessel wall changes in a rabbit model of balloon angioplasty, to the iliac arteries, at 30 min, 2 h, day 1, day 3, day 7, day 14, 1 month, and 3 months was established using light microscopy, immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and electron microscopy. Complete endothelial denudation with extensive platelet and fibrin deposition was evident early. Intimal thickening, characterized by myointimal hyperplasia, was observed at day 7 and reached a maximum at 1 month. Re-endothelization was complete by day 14. Cellular proliferation, seen early at day 1, reached a maximum at day 7 for the media and day 14 for the intima before returning to baseline levels by 1 month. This simple model of angioplasty with its reproducible myointimal hyperplasia should prove useful for assessing any potential agents for inhibiting this process.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1994

Assessment of myointimal cellular kinetics in a model of angioplasty by means of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression.

A detailed temporal assessment of cellular proliferation was carried out by means of immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen in a normolipemic rabbit model of balloon angioplasty to the iliac arteries. Assessment was made at 30 minutes, 2 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 1 month and 3 months after the procedure. Intimal hyperplasia was first noted at day 3; a prominent layer was formed by day 14. Cellular proliferation in the vessel media was observed as early as day 1 (percentage of positive-staining cells 0.5% +/- 0.2%), reaching a maximum by day 7 (16.9% +/- 5.1%) before returning to baseline levels by 1 month (0.2% +/- 0.02%); in the intima, cellular proliferation was first noted at day 7 (0.7% +/- 0.3%) and reached a maximum at day 14 (4.1% +/- 0.4%) before returning to baseline levels at 1 month (0.3% +/- 0.1%). Use of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in this model of angioplasty provided a simple and reproducible method of assessing cellular proliferation after vascular injury and may prove useful for monitoring the effects, in experimental models, of agents for reducing myointimal hyperplasia.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1994

The effect of different nitrate preparations on plasma heparin concentrations and the activated partial thromboplastin time.

There is evidence that intravenous nitrates which are frequently used in acute coronary syndromes may interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin. We compared the effect of two different nitrate preparations on the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), anti-thrombin III activity (AT III) and plasma heparin levels in patients (n = 50) undergoing routine percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for stable angina. Patients were randomized to either: (1) intravenous heparin and nitroglycerin (GTN); or (2) intravenous heparin and isosorbide dinitrate. The APTT, plasma heparin concentration and AT III activity were measured before PTCA and at 2 and 4 hours after commencement of infusions. Both groups received identical doses of heparin. Group 1 patients received a constant dose of 16.6 micrograms/minute of GTN, and group 2 patients received 33.3 micrograms/minute of isosorbide dinitrate. At 4 hours the median APTT ratio was significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 2 (2.6 versus 4.5) (P < 0.05) as was the plasma heparin concentration (0.18 U/ml versus 0.32 U/ml (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in APTT ratios or plasma heparin concentrations were noted at any of the other sample times. AT III activity was not significantly different between the groups at any sample time. Within-group analysis showed significantly lower APTT ratio and heparin concentrations at 4 hours compared with the respective 2 hour values. These results would suggest that there is a potential impairment of anticoagulation with low-dose intravenous nitroglycerin and to a lesser extent with low-dose isosorbide dinitrate. Early and frequent monitoring may therefore be appropriate when intravenous nitrates and heparin are used in combination.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1994

Absence of a prothrombotic state in restenotic patients?

AIMS: To determine whether, in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), there are prothrombotic markers indicating those with a predisposition to restenosis. METHODS: Venous blood samples were obtained from patients undergoing PTCA for chronic stable angina. Patients with restenotic lesions, conduit stenoses or occlusive lesions were not included in the study. Samples were assayed for coagulation factors (fibrinopeptide A, antithrombin III, protein C), fibrinolytic factors [tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), alpha 2 antiplasmin, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1)] and markers of platelet activation (platelet factor 4, beta thromboglobulin). RESULTS: Of 46 patients who underwent successful PTCA, restenosis, defined as loss in absolute gain of more than 50%, occurred in 16 (35%). The minimal luminal diameter (mean +/- SD) at follow-up in those who had suffered restenosis was 1.07 +/- 0.7 mm compared with 1.73 +/- 0.5 mm in the non-restenotic patients. However, no significant differences in the levels of markers of platelet activation, coagulation factors, or fibrinolytic factors were observed between the two groups. The only significant difference between the groups was a higher platelet count in the restenotic patients [median (interquartile range): 263 (247-278) versus 224 (175-263), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients who suffer restenosis following PTCA appear to have no clearly detectable pre-existing imbalance in their prothrombotic/antithrombotic status. Although the platelet count was higher in restenotic patients, the levels of markers of platelet activation were no different in the two groups. Thus, it is at present unlikely that simple blood assays before PTCA assessing an individual's 'thrombotic state' can help to predict which of the 30-40% of patients undergoing PTCA will suffer restenosis.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1993

Therapeutic levels of nitroglycerin do not affect the uptake and release of heparin by endothelial cells in vitro.

Intravenous heparin and nitroglycerin are frequently given in combination to patients with acute coronary syndromes such as unstable angina and post myocardial infarction angina. Heparin is prescribed since it has been shown that intracoronary thrombus formation is important in the pathophysiology of these acute conditions. However, it has been demonstrated that intravenous nitroglycerin can interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin. The exact mechanism of the interaction is unknown but it has been suggested that there is a direct effect on plasma heparin characterised by a reduction in circulating plasma heparin levels. Heparin binds to the surface of endothelial cells in a process that is time dependent, reversible and exhibits saturation kinetics. A possible mechanism of the observed effects on the plasma heparin levels produced by nitroglycerin may be the altered handling of heparin by endothelial cells. We have investigated this further by assessing the effects of therapeutic doses of nitroglycerin on heparin uptake and release by endothelial cells, using 35S labelled heparin and human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1993

Lone atrial fibrillation and anticoagulant therapy.

Assessment of risk of thromboembolism and potential benefit of prophylaxis with long-term anticoagulant therapy in lone atrial fibrillation is hampered by a lack of consensus regarding definition of lone atrial fibrillation. In general, patients less than 60 years of age with normal left ventricular function and left atrial size have a low risk of thromboembolic events and are unlikely to gain any significant benefit with anticoagulants; however, patients older than 60 years with impaired left ventricular function, enlarged left atrium, and/or associated conditions such as hypertension have an increased risk of thromboembolism and would benefit from long-term anticoagulant therapy. Decisions regarding anticoagulant usage would be simplified by using a scoring system containing clinical and investigational variables.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentrations for monitoring anticoagulation therapy with heparin.

We have compared the activated partial thromboplastin time with measurement of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentrations (ELISA assay) during a 24-h period in a group of patients (n = 10) who had undergone elective coronary angioplasty and were anticoagulated post-procedure with heparin 1000 U/h. Four hours after the procedure all the patients were adequately anticoagulated according to activated partial thromboplastin time (median ratio 4.7:1) and the prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentration was significantly lower than pre-angioplasty values (0.5 vs 1.4 nmol/l, p = 0.04). At 24 h the median activated partial thromboplastin time ratio was still higher than the pre-procedure value (1.35 vs 0.9, p < 0.01), but the prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentration had risen to 2.1 nmol/l, with more variability in individual results within the patient group for the prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentration than for activated partial thromboplastin time (interquartile ranges (Q1, Q3) prothrombin fragment F1 + 2, 1.2-2.5; activated partial thromboplastin time, 1.2-1.5). The activated partial thromboplastin time is the standard method of monitoring the anticoagulant effect of heparin but may not fully reflect the functional coagulation status and accurately identify individual patients with less than adequate anticoagulation. Prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 concentrations may provide a more reliable indicator in individual patients of functional coagulation status in certain important situations where anticoagulation is critical such as following complicated coronary angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1993

A targeted antithrombotic conjugate with antiplatelet and fibrinolytic properties which reduces in vivo thrombus formation.

OBJECTIVE: Potent therapy that could be locally delivered to inhibit blood factor-vessel wall interaction and which would remain localised to the site of damage may avoid the side effects of systemic drugs in the treatment of disorders such as subacute thrombosis of saphenous vein grafts and intravascular stents. We therefore assessed the feasibility of developing a targeted antithrombotic conjugate by covalently cross-linking urokinase to a monoclonal antibody to platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (M735) and a monoclonal antibody against damaged endothelium (P14G11). METHODS: Conjugation was carried out using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate as the cross-linking reagent. The conjugate was assessed in vitro and in an in vivo model of thrombosis and local delivery. RESULTS: The conjugate formed, ATC(3), retained specificity for damaged endothelial cells and platelets and had urokinase activity of approximately 10,000 IU.mg-1 protein. Persistence of urokinase activity on binding to intact platelets and scratch damaged endothelial monolayer preparations was confirmed. Platelet aggregation studies (using ADP and collagen) revealed complete inhibition by ATC(3) at a dose of 5 micrograms.ml-1 while an unconjugated mixture of M735 (20 micrograms.ml-1), P14G11 (20 micrograms.ml-1), and urokinase (200 IU.ml-1) failed to inhibit completely platelet aggregation induced by ADP. In an in vivo model of thrombosis and vascular injury, local delivery of ATC(3) significantly reduced the weight of thrombus formed [median 13 mg (interquartile range 9-20)] compared to an unconjugated mixture of M735, P14G11 and urokinase [35 mg (28-45)] and urokinase alone [41 mg (33-55)]. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to produce a targeted antithrombotic conjugate which retains activity of all its individual components.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effect of locally applied tissue-type plasminogen activator on venous fibrinolytic activity: in vitro and in vivo investigations.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to see if topically applied tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) would enhance the fibrinolytic activity of saphenous vein prepared before coronary artery surgery, persist in the vessel wall after perfusion, and reduce thrombus formation after vascular injury. METHODS: Varying doses of tPA were applied to the intimal surface of the saphenous vein obtained from patients before coronary artery surgery. After flushing, biopsies were incubated on fibrin plates and areas of lysis quantified. Samples treated with tPA (1 mg.ml-1) were perfused in vitro for 30 minutes. Fibrinolytic activity was assessed on fibrin plates and tPA activity (in tissue extract) measured with chromogenic assays. The effect of locally applied tPA on thrombus formation was quantified with a rat vena cava model based on vascular injury and stasis. RESULTS: Local application of 1 mg.ml-1 tPA enhanced fibrinolysis under static conditions [median (interquartile range) of diameter of lysis.mm-1 (n = 8 both groups), treated vein 16.5 (14.1-17.9), control 8.5 (5.75-10.37) (p < 0.05)]. This enhanced activity was retained after in vitro perfusion [median (interquartile range) of areas of lysis.mm-2 (n = 8 all groups), treated vein 170.8 (132.8-205.1), control (unperfused) 69.5 (45.2-87.6), perfused (untreated) 76.7 (58.3-98.9) (p < 0.01)]. Specific tPA activity in these samples was also increased (p < 0.05). Local application of tPA (1 mg.ml-1) to damaged rat vena cava reduced subsequent thrombus formation [median thrombus weight.mg-1 (interquartile range) (n = 8), tPA treated 2.5 (0.25-5.75), control 38.5 (32-43) (p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Locally applied tPA enhances the fibrinolytic activity of damaged vessel wall, persists after perfusion, and reduces thrombus formation after vascular injury. This method of treating conduits before their use as vascular grafts merits further study to see if it is effective in reducing early graft thrombosis while maintaining systemic haemostasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Heparin after angioplasty: an unresolved issue?

Restenosis following coronary angioplasty remains a significant problem. Experimental work suggests that appropriate use of heparin may be beneficial through inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. Possible mechanisms of this effect in various models, are discussed. Limited clinical studies to date, however, have failed to show therapeutic efficacy. Possible reasons for this lack of effect are discussed and the importance of assessing heparin in appropriate clinical trials is emphasized.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1993

Angiographic restenosis after angioplasty: comparison of definitions and correlation with clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess which of the currently used definitions of restenosis most closely indicates degree of recurrence and clinical status by 1) correlating percentage luminal renarrowing with restenosis defined according to each of four definitions, and 2) evaluating which definition was best predicted by clinical recurrence. METHODS: Quantitative angiography in 125 patients was undertaken either at time of early clinical presentation or at 6-month follow-up after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Absolute luminal diameters measured before and after PTCA and at follow-up were plotted as the percentage return from post-PTCA toward pre-PTCA value. All patients were also defined as restenosed or not restenosed according to each of the four definitions. RESULTS: The angiographic restenosis rate varied from 31% to 47%. Other than for "loss of 50% absolute gain," all definitions defined restenosis in some patients, despite the degree of return from post-PTCA to pre-PTCA value being less than 50%. Early recurrent symptoms predicted angiographic restenosis best, irrespective of angiographic definition, whereas history of recurrent angina or positive exercise testing alone at follow-up were poor predictors (range, 0.46 to 0.54). The predictive value increased (0.75 to 0.87) when exercise testing was positive in patients complaining of angina. The definition "loss of 2 standard deviations" gave the lowest values for positive or negative predictive values irrespective of clinical parameter. CONCLUSIONS: "Loss of 50% absolute gain" may be the best compromise definition. Patients admitted early with angina should undergo recatheterization, whereas exercise tests should be reserved for patients who complain of angina at routine follow-up.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗