Blood Protein Helps Predict Heart Patient Prognosis
 (NY, Reuters Health, 3/19/03)

Dr. Christopher Heeschen of the University of Frankfort in Germany, and colleagues, measured the levels of the protein CD40 in the blood of 1088 people who had acute coronary syndrome. CD40 is released by platelets, the cells that promote blood clot formation, and is associated with inflammation. The researchers gave half of the patients abciximab, a drug that prevents platelets from sticking together, and the other half a placebo. The data gathered over 6 months showed that the placebo group subjects with high CD40 were nearly 3 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with lower levels. Subjects in the abciximab group showed a 63% lower heart attack risk among patients with high CD40 levels; but no significant difference for patients with low CD40 levels. These findings suggest that testing for CD40 can help predict whether a cardiovascular patient is likely to benefit from anti-clotting medications.