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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue
Published on: October 8, 2016
Circulating endothelial cell count as a diagnostic marker for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes
Jacques Quilici1, Nathalie Banzet, Philippe Paule
1Département de Cardiologie, Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France.
Circulating endothelial cell (CEC) counts serve as an early, specific marker for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Combining CEC counts with troponin I improves early ACS diagnosis, especially when troponin levels are initially normal.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Endothelial cell shedding occurs in various vascular disorders.
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are released from damaged endothelium.
- Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS) require timely diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of circulating endothelial cell (CEC) count for non-ST-elevation ACS.
- To evaluate CEC count as an early diagnostic marker compared to troponin I.
- To explore the combined diagnostic potential of CEC count and troponin I.
Main Methods:
- CEC counts were measured in 200 patients (60 with non-ST-elevation ACS, 40 controls) at 0, 4, and 8 hours post-admission.
- CEC counts were compared with troponin I levels.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Elevated CEC counts (>3 cells/mL) were observed in 32 ACS patients, indicating early detection.
- CEC elevation occurred significantly sooner than troponin I elevation.
- A subgroup of ACS patients with normal troponin I showed high CEC counts, improving early diagnosis by 30%.
Conclusions:
- CEC count is an early, specific, and independent diagnostic marker for non-ST-elevation ACS.
- A combined strategy of CEC count and troponin I offers an effective diagnostic approach.
- CEC measurement aids in early ACS diagnosis, particularly in troponin-negative cases.
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