(Circulation. 2006;113:e728-e732.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Clinician Update |
From Robarts Research Institute (A.R.L.), and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.R.L.) and Department of Medical Biophysics (A.R.L., R.K.), University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario; and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville (C.P.).
Correspondence to Alexandra Lucas, MD, Robarts Research Institute, 100 Perth Dr, PO Box 5015, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 2K8 (e-mail arl{at}robarts.ca); after July 1, 2006, c/o Linda H. Horne, Assistant to Dr Carl Pepine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 1600 SW Archer Rd, Box 100277, Gainesville, FL 326100277.
| Introduction |
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B and mitogen-activated protein kinases.14 This results in a cascade of proinflammatory molecules such as interleukin (IL)-6 that drive C-reactive protein (CRP) production, chemokines that act as chemoattractants, and serine proteases that drive thrombosis, all of which contribute to inflammation and pathogen clearance.
Accumulating evidence supports a central role for inflammation in preclinical atherosclerosis, with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as a principle clinical expression.4 Indeed, ACS, ischemic brain syndrome (stroke/transient ischemic attack), and peripheral arterial occlusion14 result from a chronic inflammatory process, as well as disorders of lipid metabolism, modified by genetic and environmental factors. Arterial wall function and structure are modulated by interactions between injurious agents, blood vessel wall elements and monocytes, T lymphocytes, and platelets. Invading mononuclear cells release enzymes (eg, matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs]) that degrade collagen and elastin, thereby allowing cells to invade by disrupting matrix layers that otherwise stabilize developing plaque (Figures 1 and 2
). Clot forming and inflammatory pathways then work in tandem to accelerate local macrophage and T-cell activation, which contributes to plaque erosion or rupture, forming a surface on which activated platelets may initiate thrombosis and microembolism and perhaps lead to continuing inflammation.
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In vulnerable patients, atherosclerosis develops under the influence of conditions that traumatize the endothelium, eg, aging, elevated blood pressure, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and potentially infections. Inflammation is documented by increased temperature in unstable plaque and an increase in circulating leukocytes consistent with the rubor, calor, and tumor of classic description.3,4 Lesion susceptibility is greatest in vascular branches or curvatures with altered hemodynamics (Figure 1C and 1D) where endothelial proliferation, apoptosis, and permeability increase. Expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines facilitates recruitment of macrophages laden with oxidized lipid (foam cells) and weakening of the fibrous cap. Platelet and leukocyte microaggregates at sites of plaque erosion release cytokines and other factors (eg, CD40 ligand [CD40L] and receptor, CRP, local angiotensin II, tissue-type plasminogen activator and inhibitor, IL-1, IL-6, MMPs, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules) are all important contributors to and/or markers for inflammatory processes involved in atherothrombosis (Figure 2). What specifically initiates and maintains this inflammation is unclear, but it is intriguing that rates of ACS and stroke/transient ischemic attack increase during acute infections.2,4
Genetic predisposition to accelerated plaque growth and rupture also is under investigation. For example, Asp299Gly polymorphism in human TLR4 impairs signaling,5 and polymorphism in chemokine ligand 2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and 2578G and CX3CR1 chemokine receptor V249I alleles6 that direct monocyte and T cells to sites of arterial injury are associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) disease. Other recent work has identified high-risk genotypes associated with inflammation and restenosis. The inflammatory mediators discussed above, specifically leukocytes, CRP, IL-1, IL-6, MMPs, MCP-1, plasminogen activator and inhibitor, serum amyloid A, CD40L, tumor necrosis factor alpha-
,14 and a newer marker called LIGHT (lymphotoxinlike inducible protein that competes with glycoprotein D for binding herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells), provide sensitive markers for ACS when combined with assessment of risk factors.
| Antiinflammatory Actions of Therapies for ACS |
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| Case Study |
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Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Therapy
Plaque erosion and rupture release extrinsic coagulation factors, tissue factor, and factor VII and activate platelets that also release inflammatory mediators such as CD40L. Prothrombotic and proinflammatory agents increase in concert with fibrinogen, a mediator of arterial thrombosis, and cardiac troponin, a marker of myocyte damage in ACS. These changes correlate with elevations in CRP.1,2,4
The antiplatelet agents aspirin, which is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor,7 and clopidogrel, which is a thienopyridine adenosine diphosphate receptor antagonist,8 as well as the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists9 and low-molecular-weight10 and unfractionated heparins, are beneficial and antiinflammatory in ACS patients. Studies confirming a clear association between inhibition of platelets and thrombosis, inflammation, and long- or short-term prognosis are ongoing. CRP levels are suppressed by aspirin,7 clopidogrel,8 and GP IIb/IIIa antagonists9; CD40L and CD62 are reduced with clopidogrel.
The patient described above has no contraindications to these therapies; aspirin and heparin reduce risk of progression to an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and mortality. It was reasonable to wait until catheterization, given the patients stability, before administering clopidogrel or GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, but both would likely be used with recurrent ischemia, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and stent implantation. Aspirin and clopidogrel have continuing benefit over the long term after PCI; however, clopidogrel and the GP IIb/IIIa antagonists may increase risk of bleeding with bypass surgery.
Lipid-Lowering Therapy
Excess lipids, particularly many of the neoepitopes that result from LDL oxidation, are immunogenic and lead to proatherogenic consequences such as endothelial cell dysfunction, thrombosis, and macrophage activation. These events may lead to plaque rupture.
The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce LDL and plaque progression in coronary arteries, along with risk of CV events.11 Statin use before PCI has the potential to reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) and improve 1-year survival. Statin-mediated immunomodulation assessed by reduction in inflammatory markers is, in part, independent of the magnitude of lipid lowering, and reduced inflammation may relate to the early benefit observed in ACS. Survival benefit after PCI is associated with reduced CRP levels, and high-dose statins are considered the preferred approach.
Studies using peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-
(PPAR
) agonists (eg, fibrates) have suggested antiinflammatory actions. These agents have antiatherogenic effects in experimental models, and some clinical trials (Veterans Administration HDL Intervention Trial [VA-HIT], Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study [DAIS])12 have shown a reduction in CV events. Large randomized trials in ACS, however, are lacking.
Additional reduction in lipids with combination therapy has been proposed with ezetimibe and niacin. Ezetimibe blocks cholesterol absorption and augments statin-mediated reduction in lipid and CRP levels, but data are lacking to document clinical outcome benefits. Experimentally, high-density lipoprotein has potent antiinflammatory actions and is increased by statins and high-dose nicotinic acid. A novel therapeutic approach in ACS with intravenous apolipoprotein A1 Milano as a synthetic high-density lipoprotein resulted in rapid resorption of coronary atheroma detected by intravascular ultrasound.13
In our case, there are no contraindications to lipid-lowering therapy, and statins, specifically high-dose statins, are clearly indicated to reduce early inflammation and plaque burden and to improve long-term outcomes.
| Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Active Agents |
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Mrs C. has no contraindication to angiotensin II active agents and has hypertension. Findings on physical examination suggest insulin resistance, and she subsequently developed congestive heart failure. Therefore, she is likely to benefit from angiotensin II and aldosterone active agents. The degree to which the antiinflammatory actions of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system contribute to clinical benefit is unknown. Adding an aldosterone antagonist would have benefit if her heart failure is associated with reduced ejection fraction or if she remains hypertensive.
Antianginals: ß-Blockers, Calcium Antagonists, and Nitrates
Antiatherosclerosis effects have been suggested for all of these antianginal agents in multiple experimental models and some randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials.16 How this effect relates to antiinflammation pathways or the documented reduction in adverse outcomes in patients with MI, heart failure, or hypertension with ß-blockers is not clear. Observed antiatherogenic effects of ß-blockers could be due to combined central nervous system actions leading to reduced peripheral sympathetic nerve discharge; hemodynamic changes caused by reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and contractility; and biochemical systems leading to increased production of prostacyclins, inhibition of platelet accumulation, decreased affinity of LDL to proteoglycans, decreased endothelial injury, and even inhibition of renin.
Most calcium antagonists have antioxidant effects and reduce experimental inflammatory cell invasion. In regions of inflamed atheroma, nitric oxide levels are low, leading to reduced vasodilatation; conversely, excess nitric oxide can form highly reactive peroxynitrite. Dihydropyridine-type calcium antagonists increase nitric oxide, block lipid peroxidation, and may be associated with reduction in CV events.17
Therapeutic Approaches to Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, and the Metabolic Syndrome
Poor glycemic control is closely associated with increased inflammation and a range of clinical events such as MI, stroke, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, microvascular disease, and renal failure. Weight loss and improved glucose control are cornerstones of treatment, reducing microvascular but not necessarily macrovascular complications. This remains one of the more difficult long-term challenges.
Some newer glycemic control agents target PPAR
, improve insulin resistance, and reduce inflammation and reperfusion injury after MI or stroke/transient ischemic attack.18 Evidence from observational, experimental, and surrogate outcome studies suggests these agents reduce macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes, and several trials are testing this hypothesis. Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial in Macrovascular Events (PROactive),18 the first to be reported, found that pioglitazone reduced the composite outcome all-cause mortality, MI, or stroke with beneficial trends across all CV outcomes except heart failure and edema. Other studies indicate that these agents also reduce CRP, MMP-9, and MCP-1 while reducing plaque progression in patients without diabetes, independently of glycemic control. More studies are needed in patients with and without diabetes to fully characterize the mechanism of benefit.
Our patient with diabetes would be a candidate for a PPAR
agonist, but her heart failure is a relative contraindication because of the risk of fluid retention.
PCI and Coated Stent Implants
PCI is frequently used in ACS to reperfuse patients with STEMI, control angina, and avert progression to vascular occlusion in some cases. Although vascular trauma from PCI denudes endothelium and initiates vascular wound healing with early inflammation and smooth muscle cell proliferation, there is generally a reduction in systemic markers of inflammation after PCI.19 Genetic analyses suggest markers for increased risk of restenosis. The improved blood flow and reduced stasis at sites where stenosis is removed also may reduce the intense inflammation seen in unstable plaque before intervention, but this remains speculative. Some investigators have detected increased inflammation at sites of coated stent implants,20 which may have implications for early thrombotic occlusion in the absence of adequate antiplatelet therapy.
PCI of the right coronary artery stenosis in Mrs C. is certainly a reasonable approach, given her recent unstable symptoms.
| Newer Experimental Treatments |
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| Acknowledgments |
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Disclosures
Dr Lucas serves as a consultant and on the Advisory Board for Viron Therapeutics, Inc. She has also received research support from and has an ownership interest in Viron Therapeutics, Inc. The other authors report no conflicts.
| References |
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