Increased circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been observed in patients with vascular injury associated with acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, and congestive heart failure. Decreased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been observed in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction. Subjects were recruited from patients referred for overnight polysomnograms; 17 subjects had OSA and 10 control subjects did not have OSA. All subjects lacked vascular disease and risk factors for vascular disease. Peripheral blood was obtained from fasting subjects in the morning, following sleep studies. CECs and EPCs were quantified using magnetic bead separation with UV epifluorescence microscopy and flow

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disorder characterized by abnormal increased vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. In this review we discuss the pathophysiology, genetic basis and clinical features of this disorder. Current therapy of PAH is based on an understanding of its pathogenesis, and we review current treatment options based on the pathophysiology of the disease. We discuss three promising novel therapies studied in animal models and human tissue. All three therapies appear to prevent and reduce pulmonary arterial medial hyperplasia through their anti-proliferative and/or pro-apoptotic effects: serotonin transporter inhibitors by blocking serotonin uptake; dichloroacetate by activating voltage-gated potassium channels; and simvastatin by preventing activation of small GTPases.

A 55 year old male presented with a complaint of dyspnea and non productive cough. He was found to have right paratracheal opacity on Chest X ray. Chest CT scan revealed right sided azygos lobe. An azygos lobe is a rare congenital variant of the right lung, usually diagnosed as an incidental finding.