Aim: Factor VII activating protease (FSAP) is a plasma serine protease involved in hemostasis and remodeling processes. Increased levels of circulating FSAP during pregnancy and in women using oral contraceptives (OCs) indicate that the hormonal status critically influences FSAP expression. In this respect, the aim of this study was to quantify nicotine modulation of FSAP expression in human monocytes/macrophages isolated from healthy female smokers and non-smokers, and from women who use OCs and smoke.

This study shows that the GRS accurately stratifies risk of intra-hospital mortality in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and can guide patient triage and management.

The treatment of typical AFL using a hexapolar catheter with a multipolar, duty-cycled, bipolar-unipolar RF generator offers comparable effectiveness relative to conventional RF while providing improved procedural efficiency.

This case illustrates that skin necroses, thrombocytopenia and thromboembolism can be independent signs of immunologically induced platelet aggregation.