Principal Investigators:

Israel Gotsman MD, Chaim Lotan MD, Ayala Stabholz DD

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is an increasingly prevalent disease having a significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the pathogenesis and factors that influence this disease may enable reduction or prevention of adverse ischemic events thus improving prognosis. Periodontal pathogens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and periodontitis has been associated with IHD in some epidemiological studies. However, this relation is still controversial and it is unclear if this association is incidental or has a cause-effect relationship. More conclusive and direct evidence is needed. This study will evaluate the effect of periodontal disease on the severity of IHD in patients with both stable and unstable coronary disease undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Patients will have a clinical assessment of their periodontal status and this will be correlated with angiographic findings for the severity of coronary artery disease. Periodontal status will also be compared with the clinical activity of IHD in these patients. In addition, the effect of periodontal disease as a predictor of outcome will be evaluated by following these patients for the occurrence of future ischemic events including acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction and mortality. Periodontal pathogens as possible agents implicated in atherosclerosis and IHD will be evaluated by examining specific pathogens cultured from the periodontal surface of these patients. Markers of inflammation including sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell counts, platelets, fibrinogen and the level of a number of cytokines, e.g., IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF? will also be determined. Demonstrating a definite relation between periodontal disease and the severity of IHD and the effect on future ischemic events will strengthen a cause-effect relation between periodontal diseases and IHD.

Status
Recruiting of patients