Microarray gene expression profiling of whole blood samples obtained from both patients with ischemic heart disease and from healthy control subjects. Ischemic heart disease patients were between ages 40 - 55 years and comprised two subgroups: acute myocardial infarction (n=6) and angina pectoris (n=6) patients. All patients had angiographically confirmed ischemic heart disease.
The asymptomatic controls (n=11) were matched for age and gender and common risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension. The controls were considered healthy based on their ECG recordings and did not have a personal or family history of ischemic heart disease.