Infection-Induced Coronary Dysfunction and Systemic Inflammation in Piglets Are Dampened in Hypercholesterolemic Milieu
Introduction: The synergism of infection with conventional cardiovascular risk factors in early life atherosclerosis is much debated. We hypothesized that coronary arterial injury correlates with infection recurrence and pathogen burden, and is further aggravated by hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Forty-two Go ̈ ttingen minipigs were assigned to repeated intra-tracheal inoculation of either saline,