European journal of internal medicine
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To identify factors associated with the progression of giant cell arteritis (GCA)-related or associated aortic dilations. ⋯ This study suggests that aortic inflammation, as well as atheromatous disease, might participate in the fast progression of aortic dilation in GCA.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Apr 2024
Clopidogrel induced reduction in neutrophil count: An overlooked beneficial effect?
Complement-stimulated neutrophils are able to adhere to the endothelium and damage endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. These blood cells participate in the early stages, growth and complications of atherosclerotic plaques. Recent findings, based on mendelian randomization analysis, support the concept that high neutrophil counts are a causal risk factor for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. Clopidogrel decreases leukocyte count and inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndromes; this off-target effect, which is independent of the antiplatelet action, may help explaining secondary prevention data showing a superiority of clopidogrel over aspirin in reducing new cardiovascular events.