Is interleukin-18 correlated with endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation in patients with unstable angina?
The aim of the study was to assess the interaction between interleukin-18 (IL-18, a cytokine with a central role in the inflammatory cascade) and the presence of endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic profile in patients with unstable angina and proven coronary artery disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study EDIT-ACS (Endothelial Dysfunction, Inflammation and Thrombosis in Acute Coronary Syndromes) was set in the Cardiology Department of our Institute, and inclusions were performed between June-November 2004. We included 40 consecutive patients with unstable angina hospitalized in our Department (mean age = 60.2 +/- 8.8 years, 57.5% male), as well as 20 normal pts as a control population,matched for age and sex (mean age = 61.9 +/- 8.6 years, 58.3% male). All pts had the following biological studies performed: interleukin-18 (IL-18), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, leukocyte count, and Von Willebrand factor, as well as platelet activity parameters (mean platelet volume, MPV an
