Cation used before admission, hematological, biochemical characteristics (including troponin I and BNP values), and angiographic characteristics. Variables that showed either a significant result (p,0.05) or were near statistical significance (p,0.1) were included in the multivariate stepwise logistic regression model to determine those independently related to end-points. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was Epigenetic Reader Domain constructed to determine optimal cut-off values. Kaplan ?Meier survival curves for TRAIL dichotomized at optimal ROC 
were constructed, and statistical signifikance was calculated using log rank test. All tests were 2sided, and a p value ,0.05 was considered statistically significant. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois).Blood sampling for apoptotic molecules measurements and laboratory analysisApoptotic molecules were analyzed from venous blood samples obtained on the morning of the day following coronary angiography. Blood was drawn from the antecubital vein in 7 ml standard serum syringes. Syringes were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 15 min; serum was stored at 270uC for batch analysis. Serum concentrations of reported molecules were measured using commercially available Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) assays (Fas and TRAIL: R D Systems, MN, USA; BNP: USCN Life Science Inc., TX, USA). Intra-assay coefficients of variations were 2.67 for Fas, 3.36 for TRAIL and 13.2 for BNP. The lower cut-off value 1662274 was 20 pg/mL for sFas, 2.9 pg/mL for sTRAIL, and 31.2 pg/mL for BNP. The upper detection limit for BNP was 2000 pg/mL. All measurements were performed by staff who were unaware of the clinical data.Results Clinical resultsThree-hundred and 
twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Follow-up was completed for 295 patients, complete information was not available for remaining 25 patients. While information from the health insurance service confirmed the patients were not dead, we had no way of assessing the other Epigenetic Reader Domain End-point of the study. Therefore their data was not analyzed. Twenty-six (8.8 , group End-point) of 295 patients met at least one of pre-defined endpoints within 6 months of follow-up. Twelve (4.1 ) had died, and 14 (4.7 ) had been hospitalized for heart failure. Additionally, eleven (3.7 ) patients had undergone re-MI and 3 (1 ) had had a stroke. The remaining 269 patients did not experience any of the pre ?specified endpoints (group End-point free). Baseline clinical characteristics, index event characteristics, medications at admission, important laboratory parameters and angiographic characteristics of both groups (i.e. End-point and End-point free) are summarized in Table 1.Blood sampling for biochemistry and hematologyBlood sampling for BNP was done at the same time-point as blood sampling for Fas and TRAIL. Troponin was measured at admission, 6?2 hours later, on day 2 and in day 3. Additional sampling was done at discretion of treating physician. Blood samples for biochemistry (e.g. serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, glucose, liver enzymes) and hematology (e.g. hemoglobin level, leukocyte count, platelet count) were taken at admission.Procedural (angiographic) characteristicsResults from coronary angiographies were 23115181 analyzed by two experienced cardiologists. Left main coronary stenosis was definedPrognosis in ACS Patients by Apoptotic MoleculesTable 1. Characteristics of studied patients regarding their medical history, inde.Cation used before admission, hematological, biochemical characteristics (including troponin I and BNP values), and angiographic characteristics. Variables that showed either a significant result (p,0.05) or were near statistical significance (p,0.1) were included in the multivariate stepwise logistic regression model to determine those independently related to end-points. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was constructed to determine optimal cut-off values. Kaplan ?Meier survival curves for TRAIL dichotomized at optimal ROC were constructed, and statistical signifikance was calculated using log rank test. All tests were 2sided, and a p value ,0.05 was considered statistically significant. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 15.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois).Blood sampling for apoptotic molecules measurements and laboratory analysisApoptotic molecules were analyzed from venous blood samples obtained on the morning of the day following coronary angiography. Blood was drawn from the antecubital vein in 7 ml standard serum syringes. Syringes were centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 15 min; serum was stored at 270uC for batch analysis. Serum concentrations of reported molecules were measured using commercially available Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) assays (Fas and TRAIL: R D Systems, MN, USA; BNP: USCN Life Science Inc., TX, USA). Intra-assay coefficients of variations were 2.67 for Fas, 3.36 for TRAIL and 13.2 for BNP. The lower cut-off value 1662274 was 20 pg/mL for sFas, 2.9 pg/mL for sTRAIL, and 31.2 pg/mL for BNP. The upper detection limit for BNP was 2000 pg/mL. All measurements were performed by staff who were unaware of the clinical data.Results Clinical resultsThree-hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in the study. Follow-up was completed for 295 patients, complete information was not available for remaining 25 patients. While information from the health insurance service confirmed the patients were not dead, we had no way of assessing the other end-point of the study. Therefore their data was not analyzed. Twenty-six (8.8 , group End-point) of 295 patients met at least one of pre-defined endpoints within 6 months of follow-up. Twelve (4.1 ) had died, and 14 (4.7 ) had been hospitalized for heart failure. Additionally, eleven (3.7 ) patients had undergone re-MI and 3 (1 ) had had a stroke. The remaining 269 patients did not experience any of the pre ?specified endpoints (group End-point free). Baseline clinical characteristics, index event characteristics, medications at admission, important laboratory parameters and angiographic characteristics of both groups (i.e. End-point and End-point free) are summarized in Table 1.Blood sampling for biochemistry and hematologyBlood sampling for BNP was done at the same time-point as blood sampling for Fas and TRAIL. Troponin was measured at admission, 6?2 hours later, on day 2 and in day 3. Additional sampling was done at discretion of treating physician. Blood samples for biochemistry (e.g. serum creatinine, serum urea nitrogen, glucose, liver enzymes) and hematology (e.g. hemoglobin level, leukocyte count, platelet count) were taken at admission.Procedural (angiographic) characteristicsResults from coronary angiographies were 23115181 analyzed by two experienced cardiologists. Left main coronary stenosis was definedPrognosis in ACS Patients by Apoptotic MoleculesTable 1. Characteristics of studied patients regarding their medical history, inde.
