Circulating Microparticles and Coronary Plaque Components Assessed by Virtual Histology Intravascular Ultrasound of the Target Lesion in Patients with Stable Angina

High levels of microparticles (MPs) circulate in the blood of patients with atherosclerotic diseases where they can serve as potential biomarkers of vascular injury and cardiovascular outcome. We used virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) to evaluate the relationship between the levels of circulating MPs and the coronary plaque composition in patients with stable angina. We included 35 patients with stable angina (22 men, age 64 ± 9 years) and a de novo target lesion. Preintervention gray-scale and VH-IVUS analysis was performed across the target lesion. Volumetric analysis was performed over a 10-mm-long segment centered at the minimum luminal site. Blood samples were obtained from the femoral artery before coronary angioplasty. MPs were measured using a solid-phase capture assay from a commercial kit. We divided participants into either a low MPs group or high MPs group based on the median value of MPs. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. The plaque burden and remodeling index were similar between the groups. The presence of VH-IVUS-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma was not different between the groups. The percentage of the necrotic core (NC) was significantly higher in the high MPs group than in the low MPs group, both in planar (17.0 ± 8.8% vs. 24.1 ± 6.9%, p = 0.012) and volumetric analyses (17.0 ± 4.8% vs. 22.1 ± 4.3%, p = 0.002). Circulating MPs were positively correlated with the percentage of the NC area at the minimal luminal site (r = 0.491, p = 0.003) and the percentage of the NC volume (r = 0.496, p = 0.002). Elevated levels of circulating MPs were associated with the amount of NC in the target lesion in those with stable angina, suggesting a potential role of circulating MPs as a biomarker for detecting unstable plaque in patients with stable angina.     

Smoking in Relation to Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden,Volume and Composition on Intravascular Ultrasound

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cigarette smoking and coronary atherosclerotic burden, volume and composition as determined in-vivo by grayscale and virtual histology (VH) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Methods and Results

Between 2008 and 2011, (VH-)IVUS of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients undergoing coronary angiography. To account for differences in baseline characteristics, current smokers were matched to never smokers by age, gender and indication for catheterization, resulting in 280 patients available for further analysis. Coronary atherosclerotic plaque volume, burden, composition (fibrous, fibro-fatty, dense calcium and necrotic core) and high-risk lesions (VH-IVUS derived thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), plaque burden ≥70%, minimal luminal area ≤4.0 mm²) were assessed. Cigarette smoking showed a tendency towards higher coronary plaque burden (mean±SD, 38.6±12.5% in current versus 36.4±11.0% in never smokers, p = 0.080; and odds ratio (OR) of current smoking for plaque burden above versus below the median 1.69 (1.04–2.75), p = 0.033). This effect was driven by an association in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (current smokers, plaque burden 38.3±12.8% versus never smokers, plaque burden 35.0±11.2%, p = 0.049; OR 1.88 (1.02–3.44), p = 0.042). Fibrous tissue tended to be lower in current smokers (mean±SD, 57.7±10.5% versus 60.4±12.6%, p = 0.050) and fibro-fatty tissue was higher in current smokers (median[IQR], 9.6[6.0–13.7]% versus 8.6[5.8–12.2]%, p = 0.039). However, differences in percentage necrotic core and dense calcium could not be demonstrated. Also, no differences were found with regard to high-risk lesions.

Conclusions

An association between smoking and degree of coronary atherosclerosis was present in patients undergoing coronary angiography who presented with ACS. Although smoking was associated with higher fibro-fatty percentage, no associations could be demonstrated with percentage necrotic core, nor with VH-IVUS derived TCFA lesions. Since the magnitude of the differences in both degree and composition of atherosclerosis was modest, clinical relevance of the findings may be questioned.     

Tissue Iron Distribution Assessed by MRI in Patients with Iron Loading Anemias

Bone marrow, spleen, liver and kidney proton transverse relaxation rates (R2), together with cardiac R2* from patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and non-transfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT) have been compared with a control group. Increased liver and bone marrow R2 values for the three groups of patients in comparison with the controls have been found. SCD and PNH patients also present an increased spleen R2 in comparison with the controls. The simultaneous measurement of R2 values for several tissue types by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has allowed the identification of iron distribution patterns in diseases associated with iron imbalance. Preferential liver iron loading is found in the highly transfused SCD patients, while the low transfused ones present a preferential iron loading of the spleen. Similar to the highly transfused SCD group, PNH patients preferentially accumulate iron in the liver. A reduced spleen iron accumulation in comparison with the liver and bone marrow loading has been found in NTDT patients, presumably related to the differential increased intestinal iron absorption. The correlation between serum ferritin and tissue R2 is moderate to good for the liver, spleen and bone marrow in SCD and PNH patients. However, serum ferritin does not correlate with NTDT liver R2, spleen R2 or heart R2*. As opposed to serum ferritin measurements, tissue R2 values are a more direct measurement of each tissue’s iron loading. This kind of determination will allow a better understanding of the different patterns of tissue iron biodistribution in diseases predisposed to tissue iron accumulation.     

高频超声探查甲状腺结节内钙化的临床价值

目的：探讨甲状腺钙化在诊断和鉴别诊断甲状腺姑节中的临床意义。方法：回顾性分析经超声检查和手术病理证实的77例甲状腺结节患者的临床资料。结果：超声检查与病理对照分析显示：良性20例,结节性甲状腺肿18例,恶性56例,其中乳头状癌50例,乳头状增生1例。良性结节中超声声像图钙化多表现为均匀强回声光斑,光团或弧形光团,后方伴声影。恶性结节中钙化表现为“针尖样”、“砂粒样”、“点状”的微钙化,后方声影可有可无。结论：依据甲状腺结节内钙化的形态大小,可以鉴别甲状腺结节的良恶性。     

Osteoprotegerin,Pericytes and Bone-Like Vascular Calcification Are Associated with Carotid Plaque Stability

Background and Purpose

Vascular calcification, recapitulating bone formation, has a profound impact on plaque stability. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of bone-like vascular calcification (named osteoid metaplasia = OM) and of osteoprotegerin on plaque stability.

Methods

Tissue from carotid endarterectomies were analysed for the presence of calcification and signs of vulnerability according to AHA grading system. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), pericytes and endothelial cells were sought using immuno-histochemistry. Symptoms and preoperative imaging findings (CT-scan, MRI and Doppler-scan) were analyzed. Human pericytes were cultured to evaluate their ability to secrete OPG and to influence mineralization in the plaque.

Results

Seventy-three carotid plaques (49 asymptomatic and 24 symptomatic) were harvested. A significantly higher presence of OM (18.4% vs 0%, p<0.01), OPG (10.2% of ROI vs 3.4% of ROI, p<0.05) and pericytes (19% of ROI vs 3.8% of ROI, p<0.05) were noted in asymptomatic compared to symptomatic plaques. Consistently, circulating OPG levels were higher in the plasma of asymptomatic patients (3.2 ng/mL vs 2.5 ng/mL, p = 0.05). In vitro, human vascular pericytes secreted considerable amounts of OPG and underwent osteoblastic differentiation. Pericytes also inhibited the osteoclastic differentiation of CD14+ cells through their secretion of OPG.

Conclusions

OPG (intraplaque an plasmatic) and OM are associated with carotid plaque stability. Pericytes may be involved in the secretion of intraplaque OPG and in the formation of OM.     

Mapping Intravascular Ultrasound Controversies in Interventional Cardiology Practice

Intravascular ultrasound is a catheter-based imaging modality that was developed to investigate the condition of coronary arteries and assess the vulnerability of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in particular. Since its introduction in the clinic 20 years ago, use of intravascular ultrasound innovation has been relatively limited. Intravascular ultrasound remains a niche technology; its clinical practice did not vastly expand, except in Japan, where intravascular ultrasound is an appraised tool for guiding percutaneous coronary interventions. In this qualitative research study, we follow scholarship on the sociology of innovation in exploring both the current adoption practices and perspectives on the future of intravascular ultrasound. We conducted a survey of biomedical experts with experience in the technology, the practice, and the commercialization of intravascular ultrasound. The collected information enabled us to map intravascular ultrasound controversies as well as to outline the dynamics of the international network of experts that generates intravascular ultrasound innovations and uses intravascular ultrasound technologies. While the technology is praised for its capacity to measure coronary atherosclerotic plaque morphology and is steadily used in clinical research, the lack of demonstrated benefits of intravascular ultrasound guided coronary interventions emerges as the strongest factor that prevents its expansion. Furthermore, most of the controversies identified were external to intravascular ultrasound technology itself, meaning that decision making at the industrial, financial and regulatory levels are likely to determine the future of intravascular ultrasound. In light of opinions from the responding experts'', a wider adoption of intravascular ultrasound as a stand-alone imaging modality seems rather uncertain, but the appeal for this technology may be renewed by improving image quality and through combination with complementary imaging modalities.     

瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者的疗效及对血清细胞因子的影响

目的:分析瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者的疗效及对血清细胞因子的影响。方法:将80例心脏瓣膜病并发房颤患者依据简单随机法分为对照组和观察组,每组40例。对照组采用心脏瓣膜置换术治疗,观察组采用心脏瓣膜置换术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗,比较两组窦性心律转复情况,手术情况,手术前后心功能、血清金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)、基质金属蛋白酶-1(MMP-1)和基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)水平的变化以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:观察组术后当天、术后1月、术后3月及术后6月的窦性心律转复率均显著高于对照组(P0.05),体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间及术后24 h引流量均明显多于对照组(P0.05)。两组呼吸机使用时间和监护室时间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后6个月,两组左室舒张末期内径、左室收缩末期内径、血清MMP-1和MMP-9水平均较术前显著下降,且观察组以上指标明显低于对照组;两组LVEF及血清TIMP-1水平较术前显著上升,且观察组以上指标均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。两组术后均无严重并发症发生。结论:瓣膜手术同期射频消融改良迷宫术治疗心脏瓣膜病并发房颤安全有效,早期窦性心律的转复率高,且可改善患者血清TIMP-1、MMP-1、MMP-9水平。     

Patient-Specific Detection of Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations as Assessed by Arterial Spin Labeling in Drug-Resistant Epileptic Patients

Electrophysiological and hemodynamic data can be integrated to accurately and precisely identify the generators of abnormal electrical activity in drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for quantitative noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF), can provide a direct measure of variations in cerebral perfusion associated with the epileptic focus. In this study, we aimed to confirm the ASL diagnostic value in the identification of the epileptogenic zone, as compared to electrical source imaging (ESI) results, and to apply a template-based approach to depict statistically significant CBF alterations. Standard video-electroencephalography (EEG), high-density EEG, and ASL were performed to identify clinical seizure semiology and noninvasively localize the epileptic focus in 12 drug-resistant focal epilepsy patients. The same ASL protocol was applied to a control group of 17 healthy volunteers from which a normal perfusion template was constructed using a mixed-effect approach. CBF maps of each patient were then statistically compared to the reference template to identify perfusion alterations. Significant hypo- and hyperperfused areas were identified in all cases, showing good agreement between ASL and ESI results. Interictal hypoperfusion was observed at the site of the seizure in 10/12 patients and early postictal hyperperfusion in 2/12. The epileptic focus was correctly identified within the surgical resection margins in the 5 patients who underwent lobectomy, all of which had good postsurgical outcomes. The combined use of ESI and ASL can aid in the noninvasive evaluation of drug-resistant epileptic patients.     

超声造影技术评价颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的临床研究

目的:探讨超声造影技术评价颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的临床价值,为动脉粥样硬化诊断准确性提供参考。方法:根据实时超声造影检查的回声图像特点将该院53例(59个斑块)颈动脉粥样硬化斑块患者分为软斑组(24个)、混合斑组(18个)、硬斑组(17个),比较3组的造影增强率、造影增强程度分级,并对各类型斑块的时间-强度进行定量分析。结果:59个斑块中有40个呈现不同程度的增强,增强率为67.80%,其中软斑组、混合斑组、硬斑组超声增强率分别为87.50%、72.22%、35.29%,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);造影增强程度Ⅰ级和Ⅲ级在三组间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),其中硬斑组造影增强程度Ⅰ级个数较软斑组和混合斑组多,软斑组造影增强程度Ⅲ级个数较混合斑组和硬斑组多,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);软斑组达峰时间、平均渡越时间均低于混合斑组和硬斑组,斑块峰值强度高于混合斑组和硬斑组,混合斑组达峰时间、平均渡越时间均低于硬斑组,斑块峰值强度高于硬斑组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:超声造影技术可无创性地通过造影增强实时反映出颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内的新生血管情况,提供参数成像与定量分析,正确评价斑块的稳定性。     

Adiponectin Profile in Asian Patients Undergoing Coronary Revascularization and Its Association With Plaque Vulnerability: IDEAS‐ADIPO Study

Despite potent insulin‐sensitizing, anti‐inflammatory, and antiatherogenic effects in animal studies, the relationship between serum adiponectin level and coronary artery disease in patients remains unclear. We determined the adiponectin profile in a cohort of multiethnic Asian patients with coronary artery disease, and the association between serum adiponectin level and culprit lesion necrotic core (NC) content. Ninety‐four Asian patients (BMI, 25.3 ± 3.7 kg/m²) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited. The serum adiponectin level was measured (n = 94), and the baseline virtual histology intravascular ultrasound examination was analyzed (n = 88). The median level of adiponectin was 3.7 µg/ml (interquartile range, 2.8–4.5 µg/ml). The serum adiponectin level was below 10 µg/ml in 90 patients (95.7%) and below 6 µg/ml in 80 patients (85.1%). There was a significant association between ethnicity and serum adiponectin level (P = 0.048). The median adiponectin level was highest among the Chinese, followed by the Malay and the Indians. Serum adiponectin levels were positively associated with culprit lesion NC content. A 1‐µg/ml increase in log adiponectin was associated with a 3.04% (95% confidence interval: 0.33–5.44) increase in culprit lesion NC content. This association remains significant after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and procedural indication. We found a low serum level of adiponectin in Asian patients and a significant ethnic effect on serum adiponectin level. Increased serum adiponectin levels were independently associated with increased culprit lesion NC burden, suggesting a role for adiponectin in modulating coronary plaque vulnerability.     

ABO Blood Groups in Patients with Congenital and Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease

ABO blood groups were determined in 404 patients who had cardiac surgery for heart disease; 136 of these patients had rheumatic valvular heart disease and 268 had congenital heart disease. The incidence of each ABO blood group was compared to a control series of 2171 patients by means of the ϰ² test. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of ABO blood group when patients with congenital and rheumatic valvular heart disease were compared with the control group.     

IL-10 Genetic Polymorphisms Were Associated with Valvular Calcification in Han,Uygur and Kazak Populations in Xinjiang,China

Objective

Valvular calcification occurs via ongoing endothelial injury associated with inflammation. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine and 75% of the variation in IL-10 production is genetically determined. However, the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 and valvular calcification has not been studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between valvular calcification and IL-10 genetic polymorphisms in the Han, Uygur and Kazak populations in China.

Patients and Methods

All of the participants were selected from subjects participating in the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS) study. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1800871 and rs1800872 of the IL-10 gene were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Three independent case-control studies involving the Han population, the Uygur population and the Kazak population were used in the analysis.

Results

For the Han and Kazak populations, rs1800871 was found to be associated with valvular calcification in the recessive model, and the difference remained statistically significant following multivariate adjustment (p<0.001, p=0.031, respectively). For the Han, Uygur and Kazak populations, rs1800872 was found to be associated with valvular calcification in the dominant model, and the difference remained statistically significant following multivariate adjustment (p<0.001, p=0.009, and p=0.023,respectively)

Conclusion

Both rs1800871 and rs1800872 of the IL-10 gene are associated with valvular calcification in the Han and Kazak populations in China. Rs1800872 is also associated with valvular calcification in the Uygur population.     

老年冠心病患者的颈动脉超声特征与胆红素血脂综合指数、斑块稳定性的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨老年冠心病患者的颈动脉超声特征与胆红素血脂综合指数、斑块稳定性的相关性。方法：选择2021年1月至2022年12月来我院诊治的冠心病患者120例。检测所有患者的TC、LDL-C、HDL-C、TBIL、血清I型前胶原羧基端前肽、组织蛋白酶K、基质金属蛋白酶-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9水平,并行颈动脉超声进行检查,确定颈动脉内膜中层厚度,同时行冠状动脉造影,确定冠状动脉病变支数及冠状动脉病变积分。分析不同冠状动脉病变组的颈动脉块数、颈总动脉的超声血流参数及生化指标水平,分析不同颈动脉内膜中层厚度患者的生化指标水平,分析不同冠状动脉病变积分患者的生化指标水平,分析120例冠心病患者颈动脉超声特征及胆红素血脂综合指数、血清斑块稳定性指标的相关性。结果：三支病变组的颈动脉内膜中层厚度、Gokmen积分、TC/（HDL-C+TBIL）、LDL-C/（HDL-C+TBIL）、I型前胶原羧基端前肽、组织蛋白酶K、基质金属蛋白酶-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9水平明显较单支及双支病变组高,双支病变组的以上指标明显较单支病变组高（P均<0.05）,单病变组的TBIL明显较双支及三支高（P<0.05）,其在双支及三支病变组间无统计学意义（P>0.05）。内膜正常组的TC/（HDL-C+TBIL）、LDL-C/（HDL-C+TBIL）、I型前胶原羧基端前肽、组织蛋白酶K、基质金属蛋白酶-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9水平明显较内膜增厚组及斑块形成组高,内膜增厚组以上指标明显较斑块形成组高（P均<0.05）,内膜正常组的TBIL明显较内膜增厚组与斑块形成组高（P<0.05）,而内膜增厚组与斑块形成组间对比无统计学意义（P>0.05）。冠状动脉病变积分≤5分组的TC/（HDL-C+TBIL）、LDL-C/（HDL-C+TBIL）、I型前胶原羧基端前肽、组织蛋白酶K、基质金属蛋白酶-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9水平明显较6~10分组及11~15分组高,6~10分组以上指标明显较11~15分组高（P均<0.05）,≤5分组的TBIL明显较6~10分组与11~15分组高（P<0.05）,而在6~10分组与11~15分组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。不同组间的TC、LDL-C、HDL-C水平对比无统计学意义（P>0.05）。颈动脉内膜中层厚度、Gokmen积分与TC/（HDL-C+TBIL）、LDL-C/（HDL-C+TBIL）、I型前胶原羧基端前肽、组织蛋白酶K、基质金属蛋白酶-1、基质金属蛋白酶-9水平均呈正比（P<0.05）;颈动脉内膜中层厚度、Gokmen积分与TC、LDL-C、HDL-C、TBIL水平无相关性（P>0.05）。结论：老年冠心病患者的冠状动脉病变越严重,其颈动脉超声特征、胆红素血脂综合指数、斑块稳定性不断恶化,颈动脉超声特征指标与胆红素血脂综合指数、斑块稳定性指标水平呈正相关。     

Relationship between Urinary Level of Phytate and Valvular Calcification in an Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pathological calcification generally consists of the formation of solid deposits of hydroxyapatite (calcium phosphate) in soft tissues. Supersaturation is the thermodynamic driving force for crystallization, so it is believed that higher blood levels of calcium and phosphate increase the risk of cardiovascular calcification. However several factors can promote or inhibit the natural process of pathological calcification. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between physiological levels of urinary phytate and heart valve calcification in a population of elderly out subjects. A population of 188 elderly subjects (mean age: 68 years) was studied. Valve calcification was measured by echocardiography. Phytate determination was performed from a urine sample and data on blood chemistry, end-systolic volume, concomitant diseases, cardiovascular risk factors, medication usage and food were obtained. The study population was classified in three tertiles according to level of urinary phytate: low (<0.610 μM), intermediate (0.61–1.21 μM), and high (>1.21 μM). Subjects with higher levels of urinary phytate had less mitral annulus calcification and were less likely to have diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. In the multivariate analysis, age, serum phosphorous, leukocytes total count and urinary phytate excretion appeared as independent factors predictive of presence of mitral annulus calcification. There was an inverse correlation between urinary phytate content and mitral annulus calcification in our population of elderly out subjects. These results suggest that consumption of phytate-rich foods may help to prevent cardiovascular calcification evolution.     

Water Transport in Intact Yeast Cells as Assessed by Fluorescence Self-Quenching

Intact yeast cells loaded with 5- and-6-carboxyfluorescein were used to assess water transport. The results were similar to those previously reported for protoplasts assessed by using either fluorescence or light scattering, and the activation energies were 8.0 and 15.1 kcal mol⁻¹ (33.4 and 63.2 kJ mol⁻¹) for a strain overexpressing AQY1 aquaporin and a parental strain, respectively.     

实时灰阶超声造影股浅静脉瓣膜返流时间与病变严重程度的相关性探讨

目的:探讨超声造影股浅静脉瓣膜返流与病变严重程度的关系。方法:回顾性分析55例63条诊断为原发性深静脉功能不全患者的临床和超声造影资料,记录股浅静脉瓣膜返流时间和CEAP临床表现分级,并进行两者的相关性分析。结果:统计学分析表明,CEAP临床表现分级与瓣膜返流时间无相关性;但溃疡肢体组与非溃疡肢体组的股浅静脉瓣膜返流时间比较,两组有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:超声造影检查股静脉瓣膜返流时间有可能预测患肢静脉性溃疡的发生。     

维持性血液透析患者血清sTWEAK水平与冠状动脉钙化的相关性研究

目的:探讨维持性血液透析患者血清可溶性肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡微弱诱导剂(s TWEAK)水平与冠状动脉钙化的关系。方法:选择维持性血液透析患者60例和健康对照组30例,采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附技术测定其血清s TWEAK水平,采用多层螺旋CT(MSCT)测定其冠状动脉钙化积分(CACs),比较两组的血清s TWEAK水平、CACs,并分析二者的相关性及血液透析患者冠状动脉钙化的危险因素。结果:血液透析患者血清s TWEAK水平显著低于正常对照组,分别为186.23(148.35,220.74)pg/m L和265.13(210.91,298.22)pg/m L,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。CACs>400的血液透析患者血清s TWEAK水平显著高于CACs≤400者,分别为220.73(189.70,251.67)pg/m L和146.07(138.43,180.11)pg/m L,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。Spearman等级相关分析显示血液透析患者的血清s TWEAK水平与患者的CACs呈明显正相关(r=0.482,P<0.01)。多因素逐步回归分析显示影响血液透析患者CACs严重程度的因素有血清s TWEAK水平、年龄、透析龄、糖尿病(P<0.05)。结论:维持性血液透析患者血清s TWEAK水平较正常人降低,但在血液透析患者s TWEAK范围内,高水平的血清s TWEAK水平与重度冠状动脉钙化相关;血清s TWEAK可能参与了血液透析患者冠状动脉钙化的发生、发展。