Vascular tissue plasminogen activator and the development of coronary artery disease in heart-transplant recipients

Article Abstract:

Low levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) may be associated with transplant failure and severe coronary heart disease in recipients of heart transplants. Researchers analyzed heart muscle biopsies, coronary angiography, and heart function in 78 recipients of heart transplants. Three month after transplantation, 38 of the recipients had normal levels of t-PA in arteries feeding the heart and 40 had low levels of t-PA. During a mean follow-up of 32.5 months, coronary heart disease developed in 24% of the recipients with normal t-PA levels and in 78% of the recipients with low t-PA levels. One (2.6%) of the recipients with normal t-PA levels and 12 (30%) of the recipients with low t-PA levels died or required another heart transplant due to graft failure. Low t-PA levels may be associated with inhibition of natural anticlotting agents.

Research, Tissue plasminogen activator

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Endothelial activation and development of coronary artery disease in transplanted human hearts

Article Abstract:

Activation of the endothelium inside the coronary arteries of a transplanted heart may indicate the development of coronary artery disease in the transplanted heart and potential graft failure. Endothelium is the lining inside blood vessels. Researchers took biopsies of endothelium from 121 donor hearts before and after transplantation and analyzed the samples for evidence of activation. None of the hearts had activated endothelium at the time of transplant but 43 developed activated endothelium within 3 months. Endothelial activation was associated with coronary artery disease in the transplanted heart and graft failure.

Health aspects, Development and progression, Coronary heart disease, Organ transplant recipients, Endothelium

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Cardiac-Specific Troponin I Levels and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease and Graft Failure Following Heart Transplantation

Article Abstract:

Elevated blood levels of cardiac troponin I appears to be a risk factor for graft rejection in patients who receive a heart transplant. Cardiac troponin I is a protein produced by the heart that is released into the blood when heart tissue is damaged. In a study of 110 heart transplant recipients, those with elevated blood levels of cardiac troponin I were four times more likely to develop coronary artery disease in the transplanted heart and three times more likely to reject the transplant.

Risk factors

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