Research Paul Van Herck

Abstract

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is one of the major health issues in the Western world. It is known that myocardial infarction can severely affect the prognosis of a patient. More research in this area is needed. Miniaturisation of the technology has made it possible to perform measurements in the human coronary circulation. This technological development offers an unique opportunity to study pathophysiological processes in humans. The vasoreactivity of the microcirculation can for instance be assessed by measuring the flow in basal and hyperemic conditions. Furthermore it is possible to perform simultaneous pressure-flow measurements. With the use of adapted software these signals can be combined and a pressure-flow loop of the coronary circulation can be made. Extrapolation of the diastolic pressure-flowrelation to the pressure-axis (X-axis) can give us an estimation of the zero flow pressure. The slope of this diastolic relation can also learn us something about the conductance of the coronary circulation. Nowadays one has realised that myocardial infarction triggers an inflammatory cascade which is accompanied by the release of numerous cytokines. Their prognostic implications can no longer be denied. The mechanisms that relate acute phase proteins to short and long term prognosis are unclear. New data suggest that impairment of the endothelial function by an inflammatory response creates a link between systemic inflammation and ischemic coronary syndromes. The purpose of this project is to gain more insight in the pathophysiology of the coronary circulation after infarction by perfoming intracoronary measurements and by measuring inflammatory cytokines.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vrints Christiaan
• Co-promoter: Bosmans Johan
• Co-promoter: Claeys-Maenhaut Magda
• Fellow: Van Herck Paul

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is one of the major health issues in the Western world. It is known that myocardial infarction can severely affect the prognosis of a patient. More research in this area is needed. Miniaturisation of the technology has made it possible to perform measurements in the human coronary circulation. This technological development offers an unique opportunity to study pathophysiological processes in humans. The vasoreactivity of the microcirculation can for instance be assessed by measuring the flow in basal and hyperemic conditions. Furthermore it is possible to perform simultaneous pressure-flow measurements. With the use of adapted software these signals can be combined and a pressure-flow loop of the coronary circulation can be made. Extrapolation of the diastolic pressure-flowrelation to the pressure-axis (X-axis) can give us an estimation of the zero flow pressure. The slope of this diastolic relation can also learn us something about the conductance of the coronary circulation. Nowadays one has realised that myocardial infarction triggers an inflammatory cascade which is accompanied by the release of numerous cytokines. Their prognostic implications can no longer be denied. The mechanisms that relate acute phase proteins to short and long term prognosis are unclear. New data suggest that impairment of the endothelial function by an inflammatory response creates a link between systemic inflammation and ischemic coronary syndromes. The purpose of this project is to gain more insight in the pathophysiology of the coronary circulation after infarction by perfoming intracoronary measurements and by measuring inflammatory cytokines.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vrints Christiaan
• Co-promoter: Bosmans Johan
• Co-promoter: Claeys Marc
• Fellow: Van Herck Paul

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vrints Christiaan
• Fellow: Van Herck Paul

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project