Emerging hematological targets and therapy for cardiovascular disease: From bench to bedside

Review

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Authors: Ana Villegas, Fernando A Gonzalez, Leopoldo Llorente, Santiago Redondo

Published Date September 2008 Volume 2008:2(3) Pages 397 - 407

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/BTT.S2911

Ana Villegas, Fernando A Gonzalez, Leopoldo Llorente, Santiago Redondo

Service of Hematology and Hemotherapy, Hospital Clinico Universitario San Carlos, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and a major part of its pathophysiology remains obscure. Some hematological targets have been related to the development and clinical outcome of this disease, especially soluble cytokines, leukocytes, red blood cells, hemostatic factors and platelets, and bone-marrow vascular progenitors. These emerging factors may be modulated by current antiatherosclerotic pharmacotherapy, target-designed novel drugs or progenitor cell therapy. The aim of current review article is to comprehensively review the role of these antiatherosclerotic targets and therapy.

Keywords: atherosclerosis, blood, progenitor cells, cytokines, therapy