RT Journal
A1 Madjid M, Musher DM
T1 Preventing myocardial infarction with vaccination: Myths and realities
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2010
FD May 5
VO 303
IS 17
SP 1751
OP 1752
DO 10.1001/jama.2010.571
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.571
AB 
Many clinical studies supported by basic experiments suggest that infections may trigger an acute coronary syndrome. The role of respiratory infections, especially influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia, in acute coronary syndrome in high-risk patients has been well documented.1- 3 Such infections can cause an exaggerated inflammatory response in a high-risk atherosclerotic plaque, which may be followed by destabilization of the plaque, activation of the coagulation cascade, vascular thrombosis, and subsequent myocardial infarction (MI). Given the high prevalence of coronary heart disease and its risk factors in the population and the frequency of influenza and pneumonia, it is likely that each year thousands of patients might develop cardiovascular events after having such infections. This potentially causal effect has immense clinical implications, because it offers a potential method for preventing cardiovascular events by preventing or treating these infections.4