MIF and aortic stenosis: MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor)-associated gene expression was significantly enhanced in fast-progressive AS accompanied by significantly elevated MIF plasma levels (mean±SEM; 6877±379.1 versus 9959±749.1; P<0.001), increased platelet activation, and decreased intracellular MIF expression indicating enhanced MIF release upon platelet activation (CD62P, %: median [interquartile range], 16.8 [11.58–23.8] versus 20.55 [12.48–32.28], P=0.005; MIF, %: 4.85 [1.48–9.75] versus 2.3 [0.78–5.9], P<0.001).