Sunday 22 June 2003 75 species (ROS)- producing homologues of the enzymatic subunit (Nox2) of phagocytic NADPH oxidase in non-phagocytic cells. Interestingly in these cells, ROS produced by the Nox2 homologue(s), was shown to play a role in various regulatory processes, including cell death, prolif- eration and aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate if human cardiomyocytes express Nox2. Methods: We studied the expression of Nox2 in human cardiomyocytes using Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. To analyze the putative expression of Nox2 in human heart disease, we studied cardiac samples of patients that had died subsequent to acute myocardial infarc- tion (AMI). Results: Both in Western blot and immunohistochemical studies Nox2 expression was found in normal human cardiomyocytes. In patients with AMI, a significant increase in Nox2 expression was found both in vi- able and in jeopardized cardiomyocytes in the infarcted area. Also in the remote-from-infarction area, Nox2 expression was present in cardiomy- ocytes, but was not increased. Conclusions: We conclude that Nox2 or homologue(s) is expressed in normal and jeopardized human cardiomyocytes. This expression is in- creased in patients with AMI, suggesting a role of this ROS-producing Nox2 homologue(s) in the human heart after AMI. Dr Niessen is a recipient of the Dr E Dekker program of the Netherlands Heart Foundation (D99025) This study was financially supported by the Netherlands Heart Founda- tion, grant 2002B010 377 Does aerobic training lead to a more active lifestyle in patients with chronic heart failure R. Berg-Emons van den 1 , A.H.M.M. Balk 2 , J.B.J. Bussmann 1 , H.J. Stam 1 1 Erasmus Medical Center, Rehabilitation Medicine, Rotterdam, Netherlands; 2 Erasmus Medical Center, Thoraxcenter, Rotterdam, Netherlands Aims: To assess whether aerobic training leads to a more active lifestyle in patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF). Furthermore, effects of training on quality of life (QoL) and on several physiological and non- physiological parameters were studied, as well as relationships between changes in these parameters and changes in level of everyday physical activity (PA) and QoL. Methods: Patients with stable CHF (n=34, NYHA II and III, mean (SD) age 59 (11) years) were randomly assigned to a training (n=18) or con- trol group (n=16). The training group participated in a 3-month aerobic training program, the control group received standard treatment. Pre- and posttreatment measurements were performed on level of everyday PA (activity monitor, based on accelerometry), QoL, exercise capacity, NYHA classification, fear of movement, satisfaction with everyday PA, feelings of being disabled, depression and anxiety. Results: Aerobic training did -at group level- not result in a more active lifestyle or improved QoL. However, training improved (p<0.05) peak power (20%), 6 minute walk distance (10%), muscle strength (10-20%), and depression (-1.3 unit). Significant correlations were found between changes in peak oxygen uptake and changes in level of everyday PA (r=0.58, p=0.01) and between changes in muscle strength (knee exten- sion) and changes in level of everyday PA (r=0.48, p=0.05). Changes in QoL were related with changes in non-physiological parameters (feel- ings of being disabled and anxiety; r=0.50, p=0.04 and r=0.47, p=0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The training program did at group level not result in a more active lifestyle or improved quality of life. However, the correlations that were found between changes in parameters suggest that aerobic training has the potential to increase levels of everyday PA in CHF. Supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation. 378 Value of Troponin I in patients with pulmonary embolism without hemodynamic deterioration G.-A. Dan, A. Dan, D. Gologanu, C. Stanescu, D. Sipciu, R. Gheorghe, I. Daha University Hospital Colentina, Cardiology, Bucharest, Romania Stratifying risk in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is crucial in thera- peutic decision-making. In this regard rapid identification of right ventric- ular dysfunction (RVD) is a cornerstone. As the right ventricle is rapidly injured by the abrupt elevation of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), the rise in troponin I (TnI) could be a sensitive and specific marker for a higher risk APE. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the va- lidity of TnI as a prognostic marker in patients with less severe APE. We included 31 consecutive patients (pts, mean age 52±15 yrs) with APE without haemodynamic instability. Pts with acute ecg ischemic changes, left ventricular dysfunction and elevated creatine kinase were excluded. Sixteen pts. had TnI > 0.06 ng/ml (group A) and 15 pts. had TnI < 0.04 ng/ml (group B). There were no significant differences between the basal characteristics of the two groups. The APE diagnosis was confirmed with previously validated methods including lung scan and helical computed tomography. PAP and RVD (dilatation, abnormalities of wall motion, de- pressed RV function and severe tricuspid regurgitation) were evaluated with echo-Doppler examination. The initial evaluations were performed within 4,7 ± 1,1 hours after admission. The follow-up period was 11 ± 2 months. RVD at admission was more frequent in group A than in group B (81% vs. 46%, p < 0.03). PAP at admission was also more elevated in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Also, at follow-up a significant RVD was more encountered in group A pts. than in group B (p < 0.05). At the end of the follow-up period PAP was more elevated in group A than in group B (49 ± 13 mmHg vs. 29 ± 11 mmHg, p < 0.05). During the follow-up period the pts. in group A suffered more hospitalizations for clinically manifest heart failure than pts. in group B (62% vs. 30%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: TnI seems to be a marker of right ventricular involvement even in stable APE and correlates with the increase of afterload and magnitude of APE. Elevated TnI could represent a predictor of poor middle-term prognosis. 379 Role of carotid intima-media thickening and hla typing for assessment of activity in takayasu arteritis S. Seth, N. Goyal, G. Kaur, S. Kumar, N.K. Mehra, K.K. Talwar All India Institute Of Medical Science, Cardiology, New Delhi, India Background: The evaluation of disease in patients with takayasu arteritis (TA) is difficult due to absence of any definitive test for this purpose. Presence of carotid intima-medial thickening (CIMT) has been suggested as a possible marker of inflammation and disease activity. HLA subtypes have been associated with various manifestations and may be different for active patients. Methods: We evaluated 23 patients of TAwith clinical examination, lab investigations including esr, echocardiography, angiography, assessment of CIMT and HLA typing. Activity was assessed with NIH criteria. Results: We found that active patients are more likely to have constitu- tional symptoms, raised ESR (100% vs 47%), LV dysfunction (50% vs 13%), HT (75% vs 60%), and involvement of renal arteries (75% vs 60%) and less likely to involve subclavian artery (50% vs 73%) in comparison to non-active patients. Active patients are more likely to have type V (Numano’s classification) takayasu arteritis. Carotid intima medial thickness was also more in active patients (>0.08 cm) in comparison to non-active patients. 62.5% of the active patients had increased CIMT even in the absence of obstructive carotid involvement. In contrast 27% of the non active patients had CIMT increased. 80% of the active patients were HLA-B52 positive compared to only 16.6% of the inactive patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, our series of takayasu arteritis patients shows