[2] There are many factors involved in the process of creating CECs, including: reduced interaction between the endothelial cells and basement membrane proteins, damaged endothelial cellular adhesion molecules, mechanical injury, decreased survival of cytoskeletal proteins, and inflammation.
[11] If the heart muscles have prolonged ischemia this may lead to the detachment of endocardial endothelial cells which can also create CEC.
Conversely, diseased individuals who suffer from cardiovascular problems, such as MIs, have elevated CEC levels found within the blood.
[15] The HD-CEC assay identifies these markers based on reaction with specific antibodies as well as morphological characteristics of their cytoplasm and nuclei.
[15] Researchers are hoping that the HD-CEC test will be used to predict cardiovascular diseases such as acute MI, angina and heart failure[13] and analyze vascular damage.