Circulating endothelial cells, plaque rupture and acute coronary syndromes

Abstract

Evaluation of: Damani S, Bacconi A, Libiger O et al. Characterization of circulating endothelial cells in acute myocardial infarction. Sci. Transl. Med. 4(126), 126ra33 (2012).

Acute coronary syndromes are the most common cause of death in the Western world. Plaque rupture is most commonly associated with acute coronary events, although they primarily involve a complex interplay of numerous initiating and perpetuating factors. The identification of coronary atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to rupture and can lead to acute coronary events is being intensely studied. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been detected in association with endothelial injury and may reflect damage to the vascular tree. In this article, the authors evaluate a recent publication investigating CECs using an automated and clinically feasible CEC three-channel fluorescence microscopy assay.

Keywords::

• acute coronary syndrome
• coronary atherosclerosis
• endothelial cells
• plaque rupture
• vulnerable patient
• vulnerable plaque

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.