title: Circulating endothelial cells, plaque rupture and acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: Acute coronary syndromes are the most common cause of death in the Western world. Plaque rupture is most commonly associated with acute coronary events, although they primarily involve a complex interplay of numerous initiating and perpetuating factors. The identification of coronary atherosclerotic plaques that are prone to rupture and can lead to acute coronary events is being intensely studied. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been detected in association with endothelial injury and may reflect damage to the vascular tree. In this article, the authors evaluate a recent publication investigating CECs using an automated and clinically feasible CEC three-channel fluorescence microscopy assay.
authors.affiliation: The Heart Institute, Kaplan Medical Center, POB 1, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimoni
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George