Related Experiment Videos

Hepatocyte growth factor and cardiovascular thrombosis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Noritake Hata1, Akira Matsumori, Shinya Yokoyama

  • 1Department of Intensive Care Unit, Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Chiba, Japan. hata-n@nms.ac.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|July 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels are higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome and other thrombotic conditions. This study found increased serum HGF correlates with the presence of thrombi in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a known marker for atherosclerosis and thrombi synthesis.
  • The direct relationship between HGF and confirmed coronary thrombi has not been previously established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum HGF concentrations and the presence of coronary thrombi in patients presenting with chest pain.

Main Methods:

  • Serum HGF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 107 patients with chest pain.
  • Thrombi presence was assessed via angiography, intravascular ultrasonography, angioscopy, and computed tomography.

Main Results:

  • Serum HGF was significantly elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina, acute aortic dissection, and pulmonary thromboembolism compared to stable angina.
  • Patients with confirmed thrombi exhibited higher serum HGF concentrations than those without (326.7 pg/ml vs 226.9 pg/ml).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum HGF concentrations are correlated with the presence of thrombi.
  • This finding applies to patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, acute aortic dissection, and pulmonary thromboembolism.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management01:28

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...