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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2005;25:2470.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

Stimulated Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release as a Marker of Endothelial Function in Humans

James J. Oliver; David J. Webb; David E. Newby

From Centre for Cardiovascular Science (J.J.O., D.J.W., D.E.N.), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Correspondence to Dr James J. Oliver, Clinical Pharmacology Unit and Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Rd S, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU. E-mail James.Oliver{at}ed.ac.uk

Series Editor: William Haynes Previous Brief Reviews in this Series:

•Choudhury RP, Fuster V, Badimon JJ. Fisher EA, Fayad ZA. MRI and characterization of atherosclerotic plaque: emerging applications and molecular imaging. 2002;22:1065–1074.
•Bonetti PO, Lerman LO, Lerman A. Endothelial dysfunction: a marker of atherosclerotic risk. 2003;23:168–175.
•Oliver JJ, Webb DJ. Noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness and risk of atherosclerotic events. 2003;23:554–566.
•Madjid M, Zarrabi A, Litovsky S, Willerson JT, Casscells W. Finding vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques: is it worth the effort? 2004;24:1775–1782.
•Morrow JD. Quantification of isoprostanes as indices of oxidant stress and the risk of atherosclerosis in humans. 2005;25:279–286.
•Feinbloom D, Bauer KA. Assessment of hemostatic risk factors in predicting arterial thrombotic events. 2005;25:2043–2053.

The initiation, modulation, and resolution of thrombus associated with eroded or unstable coronary plaques are critically dependent on the efficacy of endogenous fibrinolysis. This is dependent on the cellular function of the surrounding endothelium and vascular wall. In particular, the acute release of tissue plasminogen activator from the endothelium makes an important contribution to the defense against intravascular thrombosis. Here, we describe the rationale and methodology for, and clinical relevance of, assessing acute endothelial tissue plasminogen activator release in humans. The investigation of endothelial fibrinolytic function has the potential to provide major new insights into the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, and to shape future therapeutic interventions.

Local release of tissue plasminogen activator from the endothelium is an important defense against intravascular thrombosis and can be assessed in vivo in humans. We describe the rationale and methodology for, and clinical relevance of, assessing acute endothelial tissue plasminogen activator release in humans.

Key Words: arterial thrombosis • endothelial function • endothelium • fibrinolysis • thrombosis

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