Table 1.

Study population: inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria	Exclusion criteria
Case groups
Age >18 years  Stable Angina diagnosed in accordance with ESC guidelines  Stress test positive for ischemia	Recent PTCA (1 month for BMS, 1 year for DES) Inheritable metabolic disorders Malignancies Autoimmune diseases Hepatic (transaminases ≥2 the upper limits of normal) or renal (creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL) dysfunction
Control groups
Age >18 years  Indications for coronary angiography different from angina/myocardial infarction	Previous or present diagnosis of CAD Coronary, carotid or peripheral arteries ATS Moderate/severe hypertension or hypertension-induced organ damage (i.e. Left ventricular hypertrophy) Inheritable metabolic disorders Malignancies Autoimmune diseases Hepatic (transaminases ≥2 the upper limits of normal) or renal (creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL) dysfunction