title: Clinical significance of macrophage colony stimulating factor levels in acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to ascertain whether macrophage colony stimulating factor (MCSF) serum levels, measured during the acute phase of coronary syndromes (ACS), are useful to predict short term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four consecutive patients (mean age: 66+/-12), admitted to the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of Palermo University Hospital (Italy) affected by ACS were observed; 39 patients showed a non ST elevation (NSTEMI) and 35 showed a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). During the hospital stay, all patients underwent echocardiography and 84% of patients received coronary angiography. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serum levels of MCSF, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, I troponin and complete lipid pattern.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in MCSF concentrations for STEMI versus NSTEMI patients (326.65+/-143.87 vs 297.15+/-110.43 pg/mL, P=NS). Higher levels of MCSF (363.00+/-147.61 vs 251.00+/-186.69, P=0.03) and CRP (1.04+/-0.40 vs 0.97+/-0.50 mg/L, P=0.03) were found in patients with a worst in hospital stay (recurrence of angina, re-infarction, death) and with a more severe coronary artery disease (330.03+/-241.51 vs 223.61+/-128.29 pg/mL, P=0.04 and 1.14+/-0.50 vs 0.60+/-0.22 mg/L, P=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCSF levels are useful in the prediction of short term prognosis in ACS patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. novog@unipa.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Assennato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Turturici
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Balistreri
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novo
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D019210:Troponin I; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein