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Saponjski J, Stojanovich L, Stanisavljevic N, Djokovic A, Vojinovic R, Kocic S, Nikolic S, Matic P, Filipovic B, Djulejic V, Colovic V, Bogosavljevic N, Aleksandric D, Kostic D, Brkic Georgijevski B, Misovic M, Colic N, Saponjski D. Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Atherosclerotic Plaques on Carotid Arteries in Patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome: The Role of MDCT Angiography. Diseases 2023; 11:131. [PMID: 37873775 PMCID: PMC10594423 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11040131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by arterious and venous thrombosis, miscarriage, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the blood. As we know, APS is also characterised by accelerated atherosclerotic degeneration with an increased risk of thrombosis in all blood vessels, including the carotid arteries. Carotid artery stenosis can manifest in many different ways. The aim of this study is to present the results of our multidetector computerised tomography angiography (MDCTA) analysis of the carotid arteries in patients with primary and secondary APS compared with a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study examined 50 patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and 50 patients with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS). The results were compared with a control group also comprising 50 patients. The groups were analysed with respect to age, sex and the presence of well-established risk factors for vascular disease. The study was conducted using MDCTA, where we analysed the quantitative and qualitative (morphologic) characteristics of carotid artery lesions. RESULTS Patients from the control group had significantly elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in comparison with patients with PAPS and SAPS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). The results show that carotid artery lesions were significantly more common in patients with APS (PAPS, n = 40, CI95: 0.50-0.75, p = 0.0322 and SAFS, n = 54, CI95: 0.59-0.80, p = 0.0004) than within the control group (n = 23). There was a statistically significant difference between patients with APS and the control group with respect to lesions in the distal segments (n = 27, CI95: 0.67-0.95, p = 0.0001), bulbi and proximal segments (n = 21, CI95: 0.84-1.00, p = 0.000005). The number of patients with one lesion (L) (n = 27) was significantly greater than the number of those with three (n = 10, CI95: 0.56-0.86, p = 0.0051) or four (n = 3, CI95: 0.73-0.98, p = 0.00001) lesions. There were also more patients with two lesions (n = 24) than those with four (n = 3) (CI95: 0.71-0.97, p = 0.00005). Carotid artery stenosis was shown as a percentage of the carotid artery lumen diameter (%DS). Stenosis of up to 30%, was more common in patients in the PAPS group (n = 12) than in the control group (n = 3) (CI95: 0.52-0.96, p = 0.0201), while the SAPS group (n = 17) had an even larger disparity (CI95: 0.62-0.97, p = 0.0017). We observed a highly significant difference in the frequency of stenoses between 30% and 50% DS between the PAPS group (n = 24) and the control group (n = 7) (CI95: 0.59-0.90, p = 0.0023), as well as the SAPS group (n = 30) (CI95: 0.65-0.92, p = 0.0002). A qualitative analysis of plaque morphology revealed that patients with PAPS had significantly more soft tissue lesions (n = 23) compared with calcified lesions (n = 2) (CI95: 0.74-0.99, p = 0.00003), as well as more mixed plaques (n = 9) and calcified plaques (n = 2) (CI95: 0.48-0.98, p = 0.0348). Patients within the SAPS group had significantly more soft tissue (n = 35) than calcified lesions (n = 3) (CI95: 0.79-0.98, p = 0.00000021), as well as more mixed lesions (n = 21) compared with calcified (n = 3) (CI95: 0.68-0.97, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that subclinical manifestations of carotid artery lesions were more common in patients with APS. We came to the conclusion that MDCTA is an accurate diagnostic method because it is a safe method that provides us with a great quantity of accurate information about the characteristics of atheromatous plaques, which aids us in the further planning of treatment for patients with APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovica Saponjski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (V.D.); (N.B.)
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
| | - Ljudmila Stojanovich
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
- University Hospital Medical Center “Bezanijska Kosa”, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Aleksandra Djokovic
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
- University Hospital Medical Center “Bezanijska Kosa”, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Radisa Vojinovic
- Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- University Clinical Center of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | | | - Simon Nikolic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kosovksa Mitrovica, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Predrag Matic
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases “Dedinje”, 111040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Vuk Djulejic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (V.D.); (N.B.)
| | - Vladan Colovic
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
| | - Nikola Bogosavljevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (V.D.); (N.B.)
- Institute for Orthopedic Diseases “Banjica”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Dejan Kostic
- Military Medical Academy, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (D.K.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Miroslav Misovic
- Military Medical Academy, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (D.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Nikola Colic
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
| | - Dusan Saponjski
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (V.D.); (N.B.)
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia (A.D.); (V.C.)
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Wang X, Nai YH, Gan J, Lian CPL, Ryan FK, Tan FSL, Chan DYS, Ng JJ, Lo ZJ, Chong TT, Hausenloy DJ. Multi-Modality Imaging of Atheromatous Plaques in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Integrating Molecular and Imaging Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11123. [PMID: 37446302 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common and debilitating condition characterized by the narrowing of the limb arteries, primarily due to atherosclerosis. Non-invasive multi-modality imaging approaches using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear imaging have emerged as valuable tools for assessing PAD atheromatous plaques and vessel walls. This review provides an overview of these different imaging techniques, their advantages, limitations, and recent advancements. In addition, this review highlights the importance of molecular markers, including those related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, in PAD pathophysiology. The potential of integrating molecular and imaging markers for an improved understanding of PAD is also discussed. Despite the promise of this integrative approach, there remain several challenges, including technical limitations in imaging modalities and the need for novel molecular marker discovery and validation. Addressing these challenges and embracing future directions in the field will be essential for maximizing the potential of molecular and imaging markers for improving PAD patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Wang
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Ying-Hwey Nai
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Julian Gan
- Siemens Healthineers, Singapore 348615, Singapore
| | - Cheryl Pei Ling Lian
- Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
| | - Fraser Kirwan Ryan
- Infocomm Technology Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
| | - Forest Su Lim Tan
- Infocomm Technology Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
| | - Dexter Yak Seng Chan
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore 768828, Singapore
| | - Jun Jie Ng
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre, Singapore 119074, Singapore
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Zhiwen Joseph Lo
- Vascular Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Woodlands Health, Singapore 258499, Singapore
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Tze Tec Chong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 168752, Singapore
- Surgical Academic Clinical Programme, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
- Vascular SingHealth Duke-NUS Disease Centre, Singapore 168752, Singapore
| | - Derek John Hausenloy
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre, Singapore 169609, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6HX, UK
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Saponjski J, Stojanovich L, Saponjski J, Mirilovic M, Saponjski D. Abdominal pain in patient with antiphospholipid syndrome-the role of MDCT angiography on visceral blood vessels. Immunol Res 2017; 65:1150-1155. [PMID: 29134567 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-017-8968-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease defined by accelerated atherosclerosis, arterial and venous thrombosis, fetal loss, and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the serum and which leads to the occurrence of various vascular events. Nonspecific abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms due to changes on visceral blood vessels. The goal of our work is to show the results we obtained in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography examination of visceral arteries, comparing patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS) with control group. In this study, we analyzed 50 patients with primary PAPS and 50 patients, with secondary SAPS. The results were compared to 50 patients in the control group. The groups were compared in terms of age, gender, and the most common risk factors except for the lipid status, since controls had significantly higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The study was conducted on 64-MDCT, on which we analyzed quantitative and morphological characteristics of the blood vessel lesions. Patients from the control group had statistically significant elevation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the patients with SAPS and PAPS (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05). The results showed that the frequency of changes is statistically (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) more common in patients with PAPS and SAPS than in the control group. Statistically significant difference between the groups was found in superior and inferior mesentery arteries. Analyzing the number of lesions, there was statistically high difference between the patients with one and two lesions than in patients with four or more lesions (p < 0.001), lower difference compared to the patients with three lesions (p < 0.01), while there was low, but yet statistically important difference between the patients with three lesions and those with five or more blood vessel lesions (p < 0.05). Analyzing percentage of diameter stenosis, we established that the lesions in the groups of 0-30% diameter stenosis (DS) and 30-50% DS in patients with PAPS (n = 42) and SAPS (n = 44) are more common than in the control group (n = 18, p < 0.05). Analyzing the qualitative characteristics of plaques, we established significantly higher frequency of soft tissue and mixed lesions than calcified ones in patients with PAPS and SAPS (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). Our study showed that the subclinical manifestation of the changes on visceral arteries is more common in patients with APS. Patients with abdominal pain were those with two or more lesions, and according to our results, majority had PAPS. Because of its safety and accuracy, the method of choice is MDCT angiography in monitoring the progression of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovica Saponjski
- Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Ljudmila Stojanovich
- Internal Medicine, "Bezanijska Kosa", University Medical Center, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Saponjski
- Centar for Nuclear Medicine and PET, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milorad Mirilovic
- Head of Institute for Statistic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Saponjski
- Center for radiology and MR, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Reiber JHC, De Sutter J, Schoenhagen P, Stillman AE, Vande Veire NRL. Cardiovascular imaging 2016 in the International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2017; 33:761-770. [PMID: 28315986 PMCID: PMC5406479 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-017-1111-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johan H C Reiber
- Department of Radiology, Division of Image Processing, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Johan De Sutter
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Maria Middelares Gent and University Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul Schoenhagen
- Department of Radiology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Arthur E Stillman
- Department of Radiology, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nico R L Vande Veire
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Maria Middelares Gent and Free University Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
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