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Qazi S, Gona PN, Oyama-Manabe N, Salton CJ, O'Donnell CJ, Manning WJ, Chuang ML. Prevalence and distribution of aortic plaque by sex and age group among community-dwelling adults. Clin Imaging 2023; 94:79-84. [PMID: 36495849 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Atherosclerosis of the aorta is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and vascular events. We aim to describe the prevalence and distribution of non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the descending aorta as quantified by noncontrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a community-dwelling cohort of adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used CMR to quantify noncalcified aortic plaque in 1726 participants (aged 65 ± 9 years, 46.7% men) from the Cohort Study Offspring cohort. ECG-gated, fat-suppressed, T2-weighted, black blood turbo spin echo sequence was used to acquire 36 transverse slices covering the descending aorta from just below the arch to the aortoiliac bifurcation. Plaque was defined as discrete luminal protrusions ≥1 mm; these were manually traced, then summed to determine total descending aortic plaque (DAP) and segmental thoracic and abdominal aortic plaque (TAP, AAP). Participants were stratified by sex and age group (<55, 55-64, 65-74, ≥75y). A healthy referent group (without clinical cardiovascular disease, smoking, diabetes, impaired renal function; (N = 768, 43.8% men) was used to determine upper 90th percentile cutpoints for DAP and AAP which were then applied to the overall study cohort. RESULTS Prevalence of DAP was similar between men (47.3%) and women (48.9%), p = 0.50, as was AAP prevalence (men: 44.5%, women: 46.7%, p = 0.16); TAP was less prevalent in both sexes (men: 8.9%, women: 7.1%, p = 0.15). Both prevalence and burden of DAP, AAP and TAP increased with advancing age. CONCLUSION Noncalcified plaque prevalence, visualized on CMR, in community-dwelling adults is similar between the sexes, and both prevalence and burden of aortic plaque increase with greater age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadia Qazi
- The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, United States of America; Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - Philimon N Gona
- The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, United States of America; Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Noriko Oyama-Manabe
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Carol J Salton
- Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, United States of America; Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Warren J Manning
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America; Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America; Department of Radiology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Michael L Chuang
- Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Senguttuvan NB, Kumar S, Lee WS, Mishra S, Cho JH, Kwon JE, Hyeon SH, Jeong YS, Won H, Shin SY, Lee KJ, Kim TH, Kim CJ, Kim SW. Plaque Vulnerability as Assessed by Radiofrequency Intravascular Ultrasound in Patients with Valvular Calcification. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165885. [PMID: 27806099 PMCID: PMC5091909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiac valvular calcification is associated with the overall coronary plaque burden and considered an independent cardiovascular risk and prognostic factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of valvular calcification and plaque morphology and/or vulnerability. Methods Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess valvular calcification in 280 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound (Virtual Histology IVUS, VH-IVUS). A propensity score–matched cohort of 192 patients (n = 96 in each group) was analyzed. Thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) was defined as a necrotic core (NC) >10% of the plaque area with a plaque burden >40% and NC in contact with the lumen for ≥3 image slices. A remodeling index (lesion/reference vessel area) >1.05 was considered to be positive. Results Patients were divided into two groups: any calcification in at least one valve (152 patients) vs. no detectable valvular calcification (128 patients). Groups were similar in terms of age, risk factors, clinical diagnosis, and angiographic analysis after propensity score-matched analysis. Gray-scale IVUS analysis showed that the vessel size, plaque burden, minimal lumen area, and remodeling index were similar. By VH-IVUS, % NC and % dense calcium (DC) were greater in patients with valvular calcification (p = 0.024, and p = 0.016, respectively). However, only % DC was higher at the maximal NC site by propensity score-matched analysis (p = 0.029). The frequency of VH-TCFA occurrence was higher depending on the complexity (p = 0.0064) and severity (p = 0.013) of valvular calcification. Conclusions There is a significant relationship between valvular calcifications and VH-IVUS assessment of TCFAs. Valvular calcification indicates a greater atherosclerosis disease complexity (increased calcification of the coronary plaque) and vulnerable coronary plaques (higher incidence of VH-TCFA).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharath Kumar
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Wang-Soo Lee
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Sundeep Mishra
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jun Hwan Cho
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Jee Eun Kwon
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Seong Hyeop Hyeon
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Yun Sang Jeong
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Hoyoun Won
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Seung Yong Shin
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Kwang Je Lee
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Tae Ho Kim
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Chee Jeong Kim
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
| | - Sang-Wook Kim
- Heart Research Institute, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, 06973, Korea
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Li W, Luo S, Luo J, Liu Y, Huang W, Chen J. Association between abdominal aortic plaque and coronary artery disease. Clin Interv Aging 2016; 11:683-8. [PMID: 27279740 PMCID: PMC4878660 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s104425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Currently, the association between abdominal aortic plaques and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not yet been clarified clearly. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques by ultrasound imaging and to explore its association with CAD in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS Between October 2014 and June 2015, a prospective study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology at Guangdong General Hospital, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. Ultrasound scanning of the abdominal aortas was performed in 1,667 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Clinical characteristics and coronary profile were collected from the patients. RESULTS Of the 1,667 study patients (male, 68.9%; mean age, 63±11 years) undergoing coronary angiography, 1,268 had CAD. Compared with 399 patients without CAD, 1,268 patients with CAD had higher prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques (37.3% vs 17%, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, abdominal aortic plaques served as independent factors associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio =2.08; 95% confidence interval =1.50-2.90; P<0.001). Of the 1,268 patients with CAD, the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques was 27.0% (98/363) in patients with one-vessel disease, 35.0% (107/306) in patients with two-vessel disease, and 44.7% (268/599) in patients with three-vessel disease. Stepwise increases in the prevalence of abdominal aortic plaque was found depending on the number of stenotic coronary vessels (P<0.001; P-value for trend <0.001). In an ordinal logistic regression model, abdominal aortic plaques served as independent factors associated with the severity of CAD according to the number of stenotic coronary vessels (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The prevalence of abdominal aortic plaques was higher in patients with CAD than in those without CAD. Abdominal aortic plaque was an independent factor associated with the presence and severity of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Cardiology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Songyuan Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfang Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiyan Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Eid M, De Cecco CN, Schoepf UJ, Mangold S, Tesche C, Varga-Szemes A, Suranyi P, Stalcup S, Ball BD, Caruso D. The Role of MRI and CT in the Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis in an Aging Population. CURRENT RADIOLOGY REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40134-016-0141-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging-based computational fluid dynamics/fluid-structure interaction pilot study to detect early vascular changes in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Cardiol 2015; 36:851-61. [PMID: 25577225 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-014-1071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes have cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) detectable differences in thoracic aortic wall properties and hemodynamics leading to significant local differences in indices of wall shear stress, when compared with age-matched control subjects without diabetes. Pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes were recruited from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and compared with controls. All underwent morning CMR scanning, 4-limb blood pressure, brachial artery reactivity testing, and venipuncture. Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics modeling with fluid-structure interaction, based on CMR data, determined regional time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI). Twenty type 1 diabetic subjects, median age 15.8 years (11.6-18.4) and 8 controls 15.4 years (10.3-18.2) were similar except for higher glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and triglycerides for type 1 diabetic subjects. Lower flow-mediated dilation was seen for those with type 1 diabetes (6.5) versus controls (7.8), p = 0.036. For type 1 diabetic subjects, the aorta had more regions with high TAWSS when compared to controls. OSI maps appeared similar. Flow-mediated dilation positively correlated with age at diabetes diagnosis (r = 0.468, p = 0.038) and hemoglobin A1c (r = 0.472, p = 0.036), but did not correlate with aortic distensibility, TAWSS, or OSI. TAWSS did not correlate with any clinical parameter for either group. CMR shows regional differences in aortic wall properties for young diabetic patients. Some local differences in wall shear stress indices were also observed, but a longitudinal study is now warranted.
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Yüce G, Türkvatan A, Yener Ö. Can aortic atherosclerosis or epicardial adipose tissue volume be used as a marker for predicting coronary artery disease? J Cardiol 2014; 65:143-9. [PMID: 24954286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2014.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Revised: 01/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether aortic atherosclerosis or epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume on multidetector computed tomography (CT) can predict the presence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Coronary CT angiography was performed in 202 cases of CAD that were known or based on suspicion. Based on coronary CT angiography results, the patients with significant stenosis (≥50%) and without significant stenosis (<50%) were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, aortic atherosclerosis, and EAT volume. RESULTS Significant coronary artery stenosis was detected in 92 cases (45.5%). Although EAT volume was higher in the patients with significant stenosis, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. The presence of calcification in the descending aorta was significantly higher in the patients with significant stenosis than the patients without significant stenosis (50.4% and 15.4%, respectively, p=0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy rates of the presence of calcification in the descending aorta in predicting the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis were respectively found as 53.8%, 84.4%, 74.6%, 68.1%, and 70.3%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy rates of the ≥2.45mm wall thickness of the descending aorta in predicting the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis were respectively found as 75.3%, 74.3%, 71.4%, 77.9%, and 74.8%. CONCLUSION There is a strong relationship between thoracic aortic atherosclerosis and CAD. However, the relationship between EAT volume and CAD is not significant. The presence of aortic atherosclerosis can be used as an additional marker together with traditional cardiovascular risk factors for predicting CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Yüce
- Department of Radiology, Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Aysel Türkvatan
- Department of Radiology, Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Özlem Yener
- Department of Radiology, Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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Chuang ML, Gona P, Oyama-Manabe N, Manders ES, Salton CJ, Hoffmann U, Manning WJ, O'Donnell CJ. Risk factor differences in calcified and noncalcified aortic plaque: the Framingham Heart Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2014; 34:1580-6. [PMID: 24833796 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.114.303600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factor (RF) correlates of aortic plaque (AP) detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), which mainly shows noncalcified plaques, and by noncontrast computed tomography (CT), which best depicts calcified plaques, in community-dwelling adults. APPROACH AND RESULTS A total of 1016 Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort members (64 ± 9 years; 474 men) underwent CMR and CT of the aorta. Potential RFs for AP (age; sex; body mass index; blood pressure; low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; fasting glucose; C-reactive protein; prevalent hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking; use of antihypertensive, diabetes mellitus, or lipid-lowering drugs) were compared between participants, with zero versus nonzero AP by CMR and by CT. Candidate RFs attaining P<0.05 for difference with either imaging modality were entered into multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, and other RFs. Odds ratios were calculated for modality-specific prevalence of AP. Associations between RFs and continuous measures of AP were assessed using Tobit regression. Prevalence of CMR and CT AP was 49% and 82%, respectively. AP burdens by CMR and CT were correlated, r=0.28, P<0.0001. Increasing age and smoking were associated with prevalent AP by both CMR and CT. Additionally, prevalent AP by CMR was associated with female sex and fasting glucose and prevalent AP by CT with hypertension treatment and adverse lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS AP by CMR and CT are both associated with smoking and increasing age, but other RFs differ between calcified and noncalcified AP. The relative predictive value of AP detected by CMR versus by CT for incident cardiovascular events remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Chuang
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Philimon Gona
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Noriko Oyama-Manabe
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Emily S Manders
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Carol J Salton
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Udo Hoffmann
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Warren J Manning
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.)
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study, MA (M.L.C., P.G., E.S.M., C.J.O.); Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Biostatistics and Health Services Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (P.G.); Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division) (N.O.-M., C.J.S., W.J.M.) and Radiology (W.J.M.), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology (C.J.O.) and The Cardiac MR PET CT Program, Department of Radiology (U.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (U.H., W.J.M., C.J.O.).
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Mihai G, Varghese J, Lu B, Zhu H, Simonetti OP, Rajagopalan S. Reproducibility of thoracic and abdominal aortic wall measurements with three-dimensional, variable flip angle (SPACE) MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2013; 41:202-12. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Georgeta Mihai
- Department of Radiology; The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Juliet Varghese
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Bo Lu
- College of Public Health; The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Clinical Sciences Division of Biostatistics; University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas Texas USA
| | - Orlando P. Simonetti
- Department of Radiology; The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Sanjay Rajagopalan
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University; Columbus Ohio USA
- Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology; The University of Maryland; Baltimore Maryland USA
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9
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Hong SN, Gona P, Fontes JD, Oyama N, Chan RH, Kenchaiah S, Tsao CW, Yeon SB, Schnabel RB, Keaney JF, O'Donnell CJ, Benjamin EJ, Manning WJ. Atherosclerotic biomarkers and aortic atherosclerosis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the Framingham Heart Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2013; 2:e000307. [PMID: 24242683 PMCID: PMC3886740 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.113.000307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relations between subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers have generated intense interest but their significance remains unclear. We sought to determine the association between a panel of biomarkers and subclinical aortic atherosclerosis in a community-based cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated 1547 participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort who attended the 7th examination cycle and underwent both cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and assays for 10 biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-18, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 activity and mass, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, P-selectin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-2. In logistic regression analysis, we found no significant association between the biomarker panel and the presence of aortic plaque (global P=0.53). Using Tobit regression with aortic plaque as a continuous variable, we noted a modest association between biomarker panel and aortic plaque volume in age- and sex-adjusted analyses (P=0.003). However, this association was attenuated after further adjustment for clinical covariates (P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS In our community-based cohort, we found no significant association between our multibiomarker panel and aortic plaque. Our results underscore the strengths and limitations of the use of biomarkers for the identification of subclinical atherosclerosis and the importance of traditional risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie N Hong
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Makowski MR, Botnar RM. MR imaging of the arterial vessel wall: molecular imaging from bench to bedside. Radiology 2013; 269:34-51. [PMID: 24062561 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.13102336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world and developing countries. In clinical practice, in vivo characterization of atherosclerotic lesions causing myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and other complications remains challenging. Imaging methods, limited to the assessment luminal stenosis, are the current reference standard for the assessment of clinically significant coronary and carotid artery disease and the guidance of treatment. These techniques do not allow distinction between stable and potentially vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a modality well suited for visualization and characterization of the relatively thin arterial vessel wall, because it allows imaging with high spatial resolution and excellent soft-tissue contrast. In clinical practice, atherosclerotic plaque components of the carotid artery and aorta may be differentiated and characterized by using unenhanced vessel wall MR imaging. Additional information can be gained by using clinically approved nonspecific contrast agents. With the advent of targeted MR contrast agents, which enhance specific molecules or cells, pathologic processes can be visualized at a molecular level with high spatial resolution. In this article, the pathophysiologic changes of the arterial vessel wall underlying the development of atherosclerosis will be first reviewed. Then basic principles and properties of molecular MR imaging contrast agents will be introduced. Additionally, recent advances in preclinical molecular vessel wall imaging will be reviewed. Finally, the clinical feasibility of arterial vessel wall imaging at unenhanced and contrast material-enhanced MR imaging of the aortic, carotid, and coronary vessel wall will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus R Makowski
- Division of Imaging Sciences, BHF Centre of Excellence, Wellcome Trust and EPSRC Medical Engineering Center, and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, 4th Floor, Lambeth Wing, St Thomas Hospital, London SE1 7EH, England
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11
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Turkmen K, Ozcicek F, Ozcicek A, Akbas EM, Erdur FM, Tonbul HZ. The relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and vascular calcification in end-stage renal disease patients. Hemodial Int 2013; 18:47-53. [PMID: 23819627 DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation was found to be correlated with coronary (CAC) and thoracic peri-aortic calcification (TAC) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was introduced as a potential marker to determine inflammation in cardiac and noncardiac disorders. Data regarding NLR and its association with TAC and CAC are lacking. We aimed to determine the relationship between NLR and vascular calcification in ESRD patients. This was a cross-sectional study involving 56 ESRD patients (22 females, 34 males; mean age, 49.9 ± 14.2 years) receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis for ≥6 months in the Dialysis Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University. TAC and CAC scores were measured by using an electrocardiogram-gated 64-multidetector computed tomography. NLR was calculated as the ratio of the neutrophils and lymphocytes. There was a statistically significant correlation between NLR, TACS and CACS in ESRD patients (r = 0.43, P = 0.001 and r = 0.30, P = 0.02, respectively). The stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, as well as NLR were independent predictors of TACS. However, increased age was the only independent predictor of CACS according to linear regression analysis. Simple calculation of NLR can predict vascular calcification in ESRD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kultigin Turkmen
- Department of Nephrology, Erzincan University Mengucek Gazi Training and Reseach Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey
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Three-dimensional imaging of the aortic vessel wall using an elastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent. Invest Radiol 2012; 47:438-44. [PMID: 22627945 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e3182588263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution 3-dimensional aortic vessel wall imaging using a novel elastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent (ESMA) in a large animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS The thoracic aortic vessel wall of 6 Landrace pigs was imaged using a novel ESMA and a nonspecific control agent. On day 1, imaging was performed before and after the administration of a nonspecific control agent, gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA; Bayer Schering AG, Berlin, Germany). On day 3, identical scans were repeated before and after the administration of a novel ESMA (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, Massachusetts). Three-dimensional inversion recovery gradient echo delayed-enhancement imaging and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the thoracic aortic vessel wall were performed on a 1.5-T MR scanner (Achieva; Philips Medical Systems, the Netherlands). The signal-to-noise ratio and the contrast-to-noise ratio of arterial wall enhancement, including the time course of enhancement, were assessed for ESMA and Gd-DTPA. After the completion of imaging sessions, histology, electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy were performed to localize and quantify the gadolinium bound to the arterial vessel wall. RESULTS Administration of ESMA resulted in a strong enhancement of the aortic vessel wall on delayed-enhancement imaging, whereas no significant enhancement could be measured with Gd-DTPA. Ninety to 100 minutes after the administration of ESMA, significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio could be measured compared with the administration of Gd-DTPA (45.7 ± 9.6 vs 13.2 ± 3.5, P < 0.05 and 41.9 ± 9.1 vs 5.2 ± 2.0, P < 0.05). A significant correlation (0.96; P < 0.01) between area measurements derived from ESMA scans and aortic MR angiography scans could be found. Electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy confirmed the colocalization of ESMA with elastic fibers. CONCLUSION We demonstrate the feasibility of aortic vessel wall imaging using a novel ESMA in a large animal model under conditions resembling a clinical setting. Such an approach could be useful for the fast 3-dimensional assessment of the arterial vessel wall in the context of atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms, and hypertension.
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Shirpoor A, Salami S, Khadem-Ansari MH, Heshmatian B, Ilkhanizadeh B. Long-term ethanol consumption initiates atherosclerosis in rat aorta through inflammatory stress and endothelial dysfunction. Vascul Pharmacol 2012; 57:72-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Turkmen K, Ozbek O, Kayrak M, Samur C, Guler I, Tonbul HZ. Peri-aortic fat tissue thickness in peritoneal dialysis patients. Perit Dial Int 2012; 33:316-24. [PMID: 22753454 DOI: 10.3747/pdi.2011.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic peri-aortic fat tissue (PFT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are metabolically active visceral fat deposits surrounding the thoracic aorta and the heart, respectively. Various studies have demonstrated a positive predictive value of both PFT and EAT for coronary artery disease in the general population. In the present study, we aimed to investigate PFT thickness and the independent predictors of PFT in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. ♢ METHODS Our cross-sectional study enrolled 35 PD patients (10 women, 25 men) and 30 age-and-sex-matched healthy subjects (15 women, 15 men). We measured PFT, thoracic artery calcification (TAC), EAT, and coronary artery calcification (CAC) by electrocardiogram-gated 64-multi-detector computed tomography. ♢ RESULTS The measured PFT, EAT, CAC, and TAC were significantly higher in the PD group than in the healthy subjects (p < 0.05 each). In the PD group, PFT and TAC were significantly correlated (r = 0.33, p = 0.007). Also, PFT measurements were positively correlated with EAT and total CAC in the PD and the control group alike (r = 0.58, p = 0.001 and r = 0.54, p = 0.01 respectively). A stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, duration of hypertension, and being a PD patient were independent predictors of PFT. ♢ CONCLUSIONS Measured PFT was higher in PD patients than in healthy subjects and, in the PD population, was also shown to be related to calcification scores and EAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kultigin Turkmen
- Department of Nephrology, Selcuk University Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.
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Momiyama Y, Ohmori R, Fayad ZA, Tanaka N, Kato R, Taniguchi H, Nagata M, Ohsuzu F. Association between kidney dysfuction and the severity of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2012; 223:523-6. [PMID: 22770127 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Revised: 06/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Momiyama Y, Ohmori R, Fayad ZA, Tanaka N, Kato R, Taniguchi H, Nagata M, Ohsuzu F. The LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio and the severity of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2012; 222:577-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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17
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Kylintireas I, Craig S, Nethononda R, Kohler M, Francis J, Choudhury R, Stradling J, Neubauer S. Atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in obstructive sleep apnea--a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study. Atherosclerosis 2012; 222:483-9. [PMID: 22560328 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, and clinical cardiovascular endpoints. Our aim was to assess whether OSA is independently associated with atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction as assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS 58 patients with OSA and 39 matched control subjects without OSA underwent CMR of the aorta and carotid arteries. Carotid and aortic wall thickness and aortic distensibility were measured. Multi-weighted, high resolution CMR imaging was used for carotid atheroma characterization according to the American Heart Association (AHA) atheroma classification, modified for CMR. RESULTS Carotid [1.47±0.03 mm vs. 1.26±0.05 mm, (P<0.01)] and aortic wall thickness [2.95±0.09 mm vs. 2.05±0.07 mm, (P<0.001)] were increased in patients with OSA compared to controls. Aortic distensibility was decreased in patients with OSA [3.62±0.3 vs. 4.75±0.2 mmHg(-1)×10(-3), (P<0.05)]. Prevalence of carotid plaque, average carotid atheroma class, and prevalence of high risk features of carotid atheroma were increased in patients with OSA (P<0.005 for all). On multivariate analysis, Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) emerged as an independent predictor of carotid and aortic wall thickness, but not of aortic stiffness. CONCLUSIONS OSA is associated with increased carotid and aortic atheroma burden and with advanced, high risk carotid atherosclerotic plaques, but not with aortic stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Kylintireas
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Caballero P, Alonso R, Rosado P, Mata N, Fernández-Friera L, Jiménez-Borreguero LJ, Badimon L, Mata P. Detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in familial hypercholesterolemia using non-invasive imaging modalities. Atherosclerosis 2012; 222:468-72. [PMID: 22460051 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients using non-invasive images techniques. PATIENTS, METHODS AND RESULTS The atherosclerotic burden of 36 molecularly defined FH patients (18 males, 45.7±10.9 years) without evidence of cardiovascular disease receiving lipid-lowering treatment and 19 (47.8±11.3 years) controls was investigated. Descending thoracic aorta magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in a 1.5 T equipment with T1 and T2 sequences to characterize atherosclerotic plaques and to measure aortic wall volumen. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and presence of plaques were measured using B-mode carotid ultrasound. Mean aortic wall volumen, cIMT and atherosclerotic plaques in aorta were significantly higher in FH cases (P<0.001). A significant correlation between aortic wall volume and cIMT was observed (P<0.01). Aortic MRI detected plaques in 94% and carotid ultrasound in 14% of cases. Lipid-rich plaques were observed only in FH cases (33%) and were associated with family history of premature coronary artery disease (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic middle-aged FH patients have significantly higher atherosclerotic burden than controls. cIMT has shown a significant correlation with aortic wall volume and MRI allowed the detection of lipid-rich plaques in FH subjects that were associated with family history of premature coronary artery disease.
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Momiyama Y, Ohmori R, Fayad ZA, Tanaka N, Kato R, Taniguchi H, Nagata M, Ohsuzu F. Associations between serum lipoprotein(a) levels and the severity of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2012; 222:241-4. [PMID: 22387060 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the associations between Lp(a) levels and coronary and aortic atherosclerosis, we performed aortic MRI in 143 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Severity of aortic atherosclerosis was represented as plaque scores. Of the 143 patients, 104 had coronary artery disease (CAD). Thoracic and abdominal aortic plaques were found in 89 and 131 patients. Lp(a) levels increased stepwise with the number of stenotic coronary vessels: 15.7 (CAD(-)), 21.2 (1-vessel), 21.4 (2-vessel), and 22.9 mg/dl (3-vessel) (P<0.05). For aortic atherosclerosis, 143 patients were divided into quartiles by plaque scores. Lp(a) did not differ among quartiles of thoracic plaques: 17.1, 19.0, 23.5, and 21.2 mg/dl (P=NS), whereas Lp(a) increased stepwise with quartiles of abdominal plaques: 17.1, 19.2, 19.1, and 24.0 mg/dl (P<0.05). Lp(a) was an independent factor for CAD and abdominal aortic plaques, but not thoracic plaques. Thus, Lp(a) levels were associated with aortic atherosclerosis, especially in abdominal aorta, as well as coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiko Momiyama
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
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Hussain T, Clough RE, Cecelja M, Makowski M, Peel S, Chowienczyk P, Schaeffter T, Greil G, Botnar R. Zoom imaging for rapid aortic vessel wall imaging and cardiovascular risk assessment. J Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 34:279-85. [PMID: 21780223 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the utility of a "reduced field-of-view" (zoom imaging) technique to accelerate free-breathing, ECG-triggered, turbo-spin-echo black-blood sequences, which have been previously described to detect subclinical aortic atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent MRI of the thoracic and abdominal aorta. Imaging with the conventional full field-of-view sequence was compared with zoom imaging. Total scan time, image quality (i.e., contrast-to-noise ratio and vessel wall sharpness) and vessel wall thickness were analyzed. A subgroup of 10 volunteers also underwent acceleration of imaging using sensitivity encoding (SENSE) for comparison. RESULTS Zoom imaging significantly reduced imaging time from a mean of 41 ± 9 min (conventional imaging) to 15 ± 0.5 min (P<0.01). There was no difference in image quality between conventional and zoom imaging with respect to CNR (10.1 ± 6 versus 10.1 ± 6) or vessel wall sharpness (38 ± 4% versus 39 ± 4%). Furthermore, Bland Altman plots showed excellent agreement in vessel wall thickness measurements using the two methods. In comparison, SENSE not only reduced CNR but also resulted in underestimation of vessel wall thickness compared with the conventional sequence. CONCLUSION Zoom imaging allows accurate and time-efficient imaging of the abdominal and thoracic aorta for cardiovascular risk prediction. In this application, it is preferable to SENSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarique Hussain
- National Institute for Health Research Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust/King's College, London, UK.
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Epicardial adipose tissue thickness predicts descending thoracic aorta atherosclerosis shown by multidetector computed tomography. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2011; 28:911-9. [PMID: 21637979 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-011-9899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a type of visceral adipose tissue functioning as an endocrine organ by secreting hormones and adipocytokines which have an important role in the atherosclerotic process. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between EAT measured by dual source multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and descending thoracic aorta (DTA) atherosclerosis. A total of 148 patients who underwent MDCT for the evaluation of coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study. Thickness of the EAT was measured on contrast enhanced multiplanar reformat images with parasternal short axis view at basal, mid-ventricular and apical levels and horizontal long axis view. The atherosclerotic plaque was scored from 0 to 4 points by the percentage of the luminal surface at the cross sectional area of proximal, mid and distal segments of descending aorta. Among the study population, 84 (56.8%) were male and age was (mean ± standart deviation) 56.9 ± 11.7 years. In patients with critical coronary atherosclerosis, DTA atherosclerosis had a significant relationship with EAT (P = 0.012). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that in addition to critical coronary stenosis, age and total epicardial fat thickness were associated with aortic atherosclerosis (β value, 0.058 and 0.035; t value, 4.74 and 2.28, respectively; P < 0.05) after adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In this study we demonstrated that atherosclerotic plaque burden of DTA was associated with the amount of EAT thickness among patients with suspected CAD shown by MDCT. Further large scale prospective studies are needed to address the interaction of EAT as well as the mediators of inflammation and adipocytokines with the development of atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and effects on cardiovascular outcomes.
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Zheng M, Choi SY, Tahk SJ, Lim HS, Yang HM, Choi BJ, Yoon MH, Park JS, Hwang GS, Shin JH. The Relationship Between Volumetric Plaque Components and Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the Metabolic Syndrome. JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2011; 4:503-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcin.2010.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2010] [Revised: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/26/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries. Despite advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, and new treatment modalities, the absence of an adequate non-invasive imaging tool for early detection limits both the prevention and treatment of patients with various degrees and anatomical localizations of atherothrombotic disease. An ideal clinical imaging modality for atherosclerotic vascular disease should be safe, inexpensive, non-invasive or minimally invasive, accurate, and reproducible, and the results should correlate with the extent of atherosclerotic disease and have high predictive values for future clinical events. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as the most promising technique for studying atherothrombotic disease in humans in vivo. Most importantly, MRI allows for the characterization of plaque composition, i.e. the discrimination of lipid core, fibrosis, calcification, and intraplaque haemorrhage deposits. Magnetic resonance imaging also allows for the detection of arterial thrombi and in defining thrombus age. Magnetic resonance imaging has been used to monitor plaque progression and regression in several animal models of atherosclerosis and in humans. Emerging MRI techniques capable of imaging biological processes, including inflammation, neovascularization, and mechanical forces, may aid in advancing our understanding of the atherothrombotic disease. Advances in diagnosis do prosper provided they march hand-in-hand with advances in treatment. We stand at the threshold of accurate non-invasive assessment of atherosclerosis. Thus, MRI opens new strategies ranging from screening of high-risk patients for early detection and treatment as well as monitoring of the target lesions for pharmacological intervention. Identification of subclinical atherosclerosis and early treatment initiation has the potential to surpass conventional risk factor assessment and management in terms of overall impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Such strategy is currently under clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Corti
- Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Rosero EB, Peshock RM, Khera A, Clagett P, Lo H, Timaran CH. Sex, race, and age distributions of mean aortic wall thickness in a multiethnic population-based sample. J Vasc Surg 2011; 53:950-7. [PMID: 21211932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2010.10.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reference values and age-related changes of the wall thickness of the abdominal aorta have not been described in the general population. We characterized age-, race-, and gender-specific distributions, and yearly rates of change of mean aortic wall thickness (MAWT), and associations between MAWT and cardiovascular risk factors in a multi-ethnic population-based probability sample. METHODS Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of MAWT were performed on 2466 free-living white, black, and Hispanic adult subjects. MAWT race/ethnicity- and gender-specific percentile values across age were estimated using regression analyses. RESULTS MAWT was greater in men than in women and increased linearly with age in all the groups and across all the percentiles. Hispanic women had the thinnest and black men the thickest aortas. Black men had the highest and white women the lowest age-related MAWT increase. Age, gender, ethnicity, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, and fasting glucose levels were independent predictors of MAWT. CONCLUSIONS Age, gender, and racial/ethnic differences in MAWT distributions exist in the general population. Such differences should be considered in future investigations assessing aortic atherosclerosis and the effects of anti-atherosclerotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric B Rosero
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, University Of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390-9157, USA
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Kawahara T, Nishikawa M, Furusawa T, Inazu T, Suzuki G. Effect of Atorvastatin and Etidronate Combination Therapy on Regression of Aortic Atherosclerotic Plaques Evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. J Atheroscler Thromb 2011; 18:384-95. [DOI: 10.5551/jat.7104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Atherosclerosis imaging in multiple vascular beds--enough heterogeneity to improve risk prediction? Atherosclerosis 2010; 214:261-3. [PMID: 21130991 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2010] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Association of C-reactive protein and homocysteine with subclinical coronary plaque subtype and stenosis using low-dose MDCT coronary angiography. Atherosclerosis 2010; 212:501-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2010] [Revised: 05/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Yorgun H, Hazirolan T, Kaya EB, Canpolat U, Sunman H, Ertuğrul O, Ateş AH, Aksoy H, Aytemir K, Tokgözoğlu L, Kabakçi G, Oto A. Aortic atherosclerosis predicts the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis detected by multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography. Angiology 2010; 61:627-632. [PMID: 20498150 DOI: 10.1177/0003319710362976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the association between atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta and the severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis detected by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography. In 122 patients, atherosclerotic plaque was scored from 0 to 4 points by the percentage of the luminal surface at the cross-sectional area of proximal, mid, and distal segments of the descending aorta. Critical coronary atherosclerosis was defined as lesions causing >50% luminal narrowing. Atherosclerotic plaque score of the descending aorta was associated with the severity (noncritical: 2.95 +/- 1.45 vs critical: 4.09 +/- 2.25, P < .001) and extent of coronary atherosclerosis (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < .005). Logistic regression revealed that aortic plaque score was as an independent risk factor associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.73, P <.05). Atherosclerotic plaque burden of the descending aorta was associated with the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Yorgun
- Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Heitner JF, Bhumireddy GP, Cawley PJ, Klem I, Patel MR, Crowley AL, Weinsaft JW, Elliott M, Parker M, Brener S, Judd RM, Kim RJ. The aorta wall of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute myocardial infarction by cardiac magnetic resonance. Atherosclerosis 2010; 212:166-70. [PMID: 20579652 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation has been shown to be a major component in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), a critical component of the ACS spectrum, multiple coronary arteries are involved during this inflammatory process. In addition to the coronary vasculature, the inflammatory cascade has also been shown to affect the carotid arteries and possibly the aorta. PURPOSE To assess the involvement of the aorta during AMI by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS We prospectively evaluated the aortic wall by CMR in 123 patients. 78 patients were enrolled from the emergency department (ED), who presented with chest pain and were classified as either: (1) AMI: elevated troponin levels and typical chest pain or (2) non-cardiac chest pain (CP): negative troponins and a normal stress test or normal cardiac catheterization. We compared these 2 groups to a group of 45 asymptomatic diabetic patients. The descending thoracic aortic wall area (AWA) and maximal aortic wall thickness (AWT) were measured using a double inversion recovery T-2 weighted, ECG-gated, spin echo sequence by CMR. RESULTS Patients with AMI were older, more likely to smoke, had a higher incidence of claudication, and had higher CRP levels. The AWA and maximal AWT were greater in patients who presented to the ED with ACS (2.11+/-0.17 mm(2), and 3.17+/-0.19 mm, respectively) than both patients presenting with non-cardiac CP (1.52+/-0.58 mm(2), p<0.001; and 2.57+/-0.10 mm, p<0.001) and the diabetic patients (1.38+/-0.58 mm(2), p<0.001; and 2.30+/-0.131 mm, p<0.001). The difference in the aortic wall characteristics remained significant after correcting for body mass index, hyperlipidemia, statins and C-reactive protein. There was no difference in maximal AWT or AWA between patients with non-cardiac CP and patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION Patients with AMI have a significantly greater maximal aortic wall thickness and area compared to patients with non-cardiac CP. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether this increase is due to inflammation or a higher atherosclerotic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Heitner
- Division of Cardiology, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA.
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Hayashi K, Mani V, Nemade A, Aguiar S, Postley JE, Fuster V, Fayad ZA. Variations in atherosclerosis and remodeling patterns in aorta and carotids. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2010; 12:10. [PMID: 20205722 PMCID: PMC2848016 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-12-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that causes vascular remodeling that can be positive or negative. The evolution of arterial wall thickening and changes in lumen size under current "standard of care" in different arterial beds is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine arterial remodeling and progression/regression of atherosclerosis in aorta and carotid arteries of individuals at risk for atherosclerosis normalized over a 1-year period. METHODS In this study, 28 patients underwent at least 2 black-blood in vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans of aorta and carotids over a one-year period (Mean 17.8 +/- 7.5 months). Clinical risk profiles for atherosclerosis and medications were documented and patients were followed by their referring physicians under current "standard of care" guidelines. Carotid and aortic wall lumen areas were matched across the time-points from cross-sectional images. RESULTS The wall area increased by 8.67%, 10.64%, and 13.24% per year (carotid artery, thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta respectively, p < 0.001). The lumen area of the abdominal aorta increased by 4.97% per year (p = 0.002), but the carotid artery and thoracic aorta lumen areas did not change significantly. The use of statin therapy did not change the rate of increase of wall area of carotid artery, thoracic and abdominal aorta, but decreased the rate of change of lumen area of carotid artery (-3.08 +/- 11.34 vs. 0.19 +/- 12.91 p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results of this study of multiple vascular beds indicated that different vascular locations exhibited varying progression of atherosclerosis and remodeling as monitored by CMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Hayashi
- Imaging Science Laboratories, Translational and Molecular imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Med, New York, NY, USA
| | - Venkatesh Mani
- Imaging Science Laboratories, Translational and Molecular imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Med, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ajay Nemade
- Imaging Science Laboratories, Translational and Molecular imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Med, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia Aguiar
- Imaging Science Laboratories, Translational and Molecular imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Med, New York, NY, USA
| | - John E Postley
- College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentin Fuster
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zahi A Fayad
- Imaging Science Laboratories, Translational and Molecular imaging Institute, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Med, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Momiyama Y, Ohmori R, Fayad ZA, Kihara T, Tanaka N, Kato R, Taniguchi H, Nagata M, Nakamura H, Ohsuzu F. Associations between plasma C-reactive protein levels and the severities of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis. J Atheroscler Thromb 2010; 17:460-7. [PMID: 20134100 DOI: 10.5551/jat.2931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Limited correlations between C-reactive protein (CRP) and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been reported. Recently, MRI became a useful tool for non-invasively evaluating atherosclerotic plaques in thoracic and abdominal aortas. METHODS To elucidate the associations between plasma CRP levels and the severities of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis, we performed aortic black-blood MRI in 136 patients undergoing coronary angiography. For each patient, 9 slices of thoracic aorta and 9 slices of abdominal aorta were obtained at 12-mm intervals, and the plaque extent in each slice was scored. The degree of aortic atherosclerosis is represented as the sum of scores. The degree of coronary atherosclerosis is represented as the number of >50% stenotic vessels and >25% stenotic segments. RESULTS CAD (>50% stenosis) was present in 96 patients. Patients with CAD had higher CRP levels than those without CAD (median 0.78 vs. 0.48 mg/L, p<0.02). CRP levels tended to increase depending on the number of stenotic vessels: 0.48, 0.70, 0.74, and 0.88 mg/L (p=NS). CRP correlated weakly with the number of stenotic segments (r=0.21). Regarding aortic atherosclerosis, 136 patients were divided into quartiles by plaque score. CRP levels increased stepwise in quartiles: 0.40, 0.56, 1.08, and 1.10 mg/L (p<0.001). CRP levels also correlated with the plaque score (r=0.38). In multivariate analysis, aortic atherosclerosis was an independent factor for CRP levels, but coronary atherosclerosis was not. CONCLUSION Plasma CRP levels correlated with the severities of both coronary and aortic atherosclerosis, but CRP levels are more likely to reflect the severity of aortic atherosclerosis than coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiko Momiyama
- Division of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Tokyo, Japan.
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Momiyama Y, Ohmori R, Fayad ZA, Kihara T, Tanaka N, Kato R, Taniguchi H, Nagata M, Nakamura H, Ohsuzu F. Associations between plasma osteopontin levels and the severities of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2010; 210:668-70. [PMID: 20074733 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Effect of lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on atherosclerotic aortic plaques: a 2-year follow-up by noninvasive MRI. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 16:222-8. [PMID: 19242355 DOI: 10.1097/hjr.0b013e32832948a0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using MRI, we reported plaque regression in thoracic aorta and retardation of plaque progression in abdominal aorta by 1-year atorvastatin. However, association between serial plaque changes and LDL-cholesterol levels was not fully elucidated. DESIGN A prospective, randomized, open-label trial. METHODS We investigated the long-term effect of 20 versus 5-mg atorvastatin on thoracic and abdominal plaques and the association between plaque progression and on-treatment LDL-cholesterol levels in 36 hypercholesterolemic patients. MRI was performed at baseline and 1 and 2 years of treatment. Vessel wall area change was evaluated. RESULTS The 20-mg dose markedly reduced LDL-cholesterol levels (-47%) versus 5-mg (-35%) dose. After 2 years of treatment, regression of thoracic plaques was found in the 20-mg group (-15% vessel wall area reduction), but not in the 5-mg group (+7%). Although the 20-mg dose induced plaque regression (-14%) from baseline to 1 year, no further regression was seen from 1 to 2 years of treatment (-1%). Regarding abdominal plaques, progression was found in the 5-mg group (+10%), but not in the 20-mg group (+2%). Plaque progression in the 5-mg group was found from baseline to 1 year (+8%), but not from 1 to 2 years (+2%). The degree of thoracic plaque regression correlated with LDL-cholesterol reduction (r = 0.61), whereas thoracic plaque change from 1 to 2 years correlated with on-treatment LDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.64). CONCLUSION Twenty milligrams of atorvastatin regressed thoracic plaques. However, maintaining low LDL-cholesterol levels was needed to prevent plaque progression. In abdominal aorta, only retardation of plaque progression was found after 2 years of 20-mg treatment.
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Roes SD, Westenberg JJM, Doornbos J, van der Geest RJ, Angelié E, de Roos A, Stuber M. Aortic vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 Tesla: a reproducibility study of respiratory navigator gated free-breathing 3D black blood magnetic resonance imaging. Magn Reson Med 2009; 61:35-44. [PMID: 19097222 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) dual inversion-recovery (DIR) segmented k-space gradient-echo (turbo field echo [TFE]) imaging sequence at 3T for the quantification of aortic vessel wall dimensions. The effect of respiratory motion suppression on image quality was tested. Furthermore, the reproducibility of the aortic vessel wall measurements was investigated. Seven healthy subjects underwent 3D DIR TFE imaging of the aortic vessel wall with and without respiratory navigator. Subsequently, this sequence with respiratory navigator was performed twice in 10 healthy subjects to test its reproducibility. The signal-to-noise (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), vessel wall sharpness, and vessel wall volume (VWV) were assessed. Data were compared using the paired t-test, and the reproducibility of VWV measurements was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). SNR, CNR, and vessel wall sharpness were superior in scans performed with respiratory navigator compared to scans performed without. The ICCs concerning intraobserver, interobserver, and interscan reproducibility were excellent (0.99, 0.94, and 0.95, respectively). In conclusion, respiratory motion suppression substantially improves image quality of 3D DIR TFE imaging of the aortic vessel wall at 3T. Furthermore, this optimized technique with respiratory motion suppression enables assessment of aortic vessel wall dimensions with high reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijntje D Roes
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Assessment and reproducibility of aortic atherosclerosis magnetic resonance imaging: impact of 3-Tesla field strength and parallel imaging. Invest Radiol 2008; 43:656-62. [PMID: 18708860 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e318181538a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate image quality and interstudy reproducibility of aortic atherosclerosis imaging at 1.5 T, and to explore the impact of parallel imaging techniques at 3 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Thirty-two subjects (20 normal, 12 patients with impaired cardiac function) underwent 4 black-blood T2-weighted imaging studies of the abdominal aorta: 2 conventional studies at 1.5 T, a conventional study at 3 T, and an accelerated 3-T study with parallel imaging (SENSE). Contrast-to-noise ratio and image quality score (1-5 scale, 5 = highest quality) were determined for each study. Studies were analyzed for mean wall thickness and area plaque burden as endpoints for aortic atherosclerosis. Bland-Altman analyses were performed to determine interstudy reproducibility between imaging methods. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to identify significant differences between methods (P < 0.05). RESULTS Image quality scores were comparable between 1.5 T and 3 T with SENSE (4.0 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.6, P = 0.21). Bland-Altman reproducibility for mean wall thickness was -0.03 mm +/- 0.15 (1.5 T vs. 1.5 T), 0.01 mm +/- 0.17 (1.5 T vs. 3 T without SENSE), and -0.01 mm +/- 0.18 (1.5 T vs. 3 T with SENSE), P = 0.83. Detection of the presence or absence of plaque was comparable. Bland-Altman reproducibility for area plaque burden was -0.02% +/- 0.32% (1.5 T vs. 1.5 T), 0.06% +/- 0.41% (1.5 T vs. 3 T without SENSE), and 0.11% +/- 0.33% (1.5 T vs. 3 T with SENSE), P = 0.41. CONCLUSION Black-blood MR imaging of aortic atherosclerosis is very reproducible. Parallel imaging at 3 T permits shorter scan time compared with conventional 1.5-T imaging with comparable measures of atherosclerosis extent.
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Malayeri AA, Natori S, Bahrami H, Bertoni AG, Kronmal R, Lima JA, Bluemke DA. Relation of aortic wall thickness and distensibility to cardiovascular risk factors (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis [MESA]). Am J Cardiol 2008; 102:491-6. [PMID: 18678312 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2008] [Revised: 04/02/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
To determine the relation between aortic wall thickness (WT) and aortic distensibility (AD) with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort, 1,053 participants in MESA who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were consecutively selected for the measurement of aortic WT and AD. Double inversion-recovery fast spin-echo images of the thoracic aorta were obtained to measure average and maximum WT. AD was measured at the same level using a gradient-echo cine sequence. Average and maximum WT were positively correlated with increasing age, and AD was inversely related to age (p <0.01). Compared with normotensive participants, those with hypertension had significantly greater mean average WT (2.45 vs 2.23 mm, p <0.01) and maximum WT (3.61 vs 3.41 mm, p <0.01) and lower AD (0.15 vs 0.2 mm Hg(-1), p <0.01). In multiple regression analysis, older age and hypertension were significantly associated with higher mean average WT, while older age, male gender, and higher blood pressure were associated with higher mean maximum WT. AD was inversely related to older age, hypertension, current smoking, African American ethnicity, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. In conclusion, in the MESA cohort, older age and higher blood pressure were associated with higher aortic WT and lower AD. Decreased AD was further associated with current smoking, African American ethnicity, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.
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Abstract
The atherosclerotic process that results in coronary artery disease (CAD) is recognized to be a generalized process that may involve the entire vasculature. The association between CAD and atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta has often been reported using transesophageal echocardiography. An autopsy study showed plaques in the abdominal aorta, but not in the thoracic aorta, to be severe in patients with cardiac events. However, studies evaluating an association between abdominal aortic plaques and CAD are scarce. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a useful tool for the noninvasive evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques in both the thoracic and abdominal aortas. Plaques in the thoracic and abdominal aortas were found to be characteristically associated with hypercholesterolemia and smoking, respectively, suggesting different susceptibilities to risk factors. Because patients have various risk factors, it seems to be preferable to evaluate atherosclerosis in multiple vascular beds than in just 1 bed. Magnetic resonance imaging can evaluate atherosclerosis in multiple vascular beds in the same examination session. Complex aortic plaques, especially in the abdominal aorta, were found to be associated with myocardial infarction and complex coronary lesions, suggesting a link between aortic and coronary plaque instability. Aortic MRI may thus be useful for identifying vulnerable patients. Moreover, MRI is a powerful tool to serially evaluate plaque progression and regression. Intensive lipid-lowering therapy can regress aortic plaques, but the susceptibility to lipid lowering and the process of plaque regression may differ between the thoracic and abdominal aortic plaques.
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Thoracic Aortic Arteriosclerosis in Patients With Degenerative Aortic Stenosis With and Without Coexisting Coronary Artery Disease. Ann Thorac Surg 2008; 85:113-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2007.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2007] [Revised: 08/10/2007] [Accepted: 08/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Paraskevas KI, Hamilton G, Cross JM, Mikhailidis DP. Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis: Association with Emerging Vascular Risk Factors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 108:c56-66. [DOI: 10.1159/000112556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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40
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Oyama N, Gona P, Salton CJ, Chuang ML, Jhaveri RR, Blease SJ, Manning AR, Lahiri M, Botnar RM, Levy D, Larson MG, O'Donnell CJ, Manning WJ. Differential impact of age, sex, and hypertension on aortic atherosclerosis: the Framingham Heart Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2007; 28:155-9. [PMID: 17991874 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.107.153544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of age, sex, and hypertension (HTN) on aortic atherosclerotic burden using cardiovascular MRI (CMR) in a free-living longitudinally followed cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS 1763 participants (829 M and 934 F; 38 to 88 years of age) of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort underwent CMR of the thoracoabdominal aorta using an ECG-gated 2D T2-weighted black-blood sequence. Of these, 1726 subjects (96%) with interpretable CMR were characterized by sex, age-quartile, and presence or absence of HTN and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aortic plaque prevalence and volume increased with increasing age in both sexes. For the nonhypertensive (no-HTN) group, plaque was identified in 702 (46%) with greater prevalence in women than in men (P<0.006). HTN was associated with greater aortic plaque burden (P<0.02). The 200 subjects with clinical CVD had greater plaque burden than subjects without CVD (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In this free-living longitudinally followed cohort, subclinical aortic atherosclerosis was seen in nearly half of subjects and increased with advancing age. HTN was associated with increased aortic plaque burden. Among no-HTN subjects, women had greater plaque burden than men. These data suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis is more common in no-HTN women and emphasize the importance of focusing on preventive measures in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Oyama
- Departments of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Sensoz Y, Ates M, Sahin S, Kayacioglu I, Yekeler I. Does atherosclerotic aortic plaque detected by telecardiography indicate an increased risk of coronary artery disease? Heart Surg Forum 2007; 10:E120-4. [PMID: 17597034 DOI: 10.1532/hsf98.20061153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the cause of aortic arch calcification and to evaluate its prognostic value as an indicator of cardiovascular disease and its severity. METHODS AND RESULTS The study was conducted prospectively among 1027 patients who underwent a coronary angiography in our hospital between April 2002 and September 2002 for suspected coronary artery disease. All chest x-rays were reviewed by a radiologist, who categorized aortic arch calcifications by their presence or absence. The patients were stratified according to age (< or =50, 51-64, and > or =65 years) to eliminate the influence of age on aortic arch calcification. Coronary lesions were considered either single-vessel or multivessel disease. Univariate analysis revealed significant correlation with age (r = 0.37; P < .001), presence of hypertension (r = 0.14; P < .001), smoking (r = -0.10; P = .001), presence of coronary artery disease (r = 0.10; P = .001), and the existence of multi-vessel disease (r = 0.09; P = .006). Multivariate analysis disclosed significant association with age and hypertension and no association with smoking, coronary artery disease, and other risk factors. CONCLUSION The aortic arch calcifications observed on plain chest x-rays are usually age related, and both aortic arch calcifications and coronary artery disease are strongly associated with age. The presence of aortic calcification on chest x-rays was not an indicator of the presence and extent of coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Sensoz
- Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Istanbul, Turkey
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Sanz J, Moreno PR, Fuster V. Update on advances in atherothrombosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 4:78-89. [PMID: 17245402 DOI: 10.1038/ncpcardio0774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The study of atherothrombosis is a rapidly evolving field, and significant progress was achieved in various aspects of the disease during the past year. In the area of diagnostic imaging, MRI and multidetector CT were actively used to evaluate the characteristics of the arterial wall, including calcified and noncalcified lesions, and both in the coronary and extracoronary vascular territories. There was also extensive research into the application of imaging modalities to visualize cellular or molecular disease processes, known as molecular imaging. Considerable efforts were devoted to the identification of novel biomarkers that reflect different components of atherothrombosis, namely inflammation, thrombogenicity, oxidative stress and reparative ability, predicting the presence of early disease or the risk of clinical events. In the therapeutic arena, substantial evidence accumulated on the beneficial effects of several pharmacologic agents, most significantly statins. Finally, important advances were also made in the understanding of the roles of immunity and neovascularization in atherogenesis, including the development and progression of disease at different stages. Awareness of these recent advances and new lines of active research is fundamental for health professionals involved in the care of patients with atherothrombosis. In this Review we present an overview of data in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sanz
- Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Ayaori M, Momiyama Y, Fayad ZA, Yonemura A, Ohmori R, Kihara T, Tanaka N, Nakaya K, Ogura M, Sawada S, Taniguchi H, Kusuhara M, Nagata M, Nakamura H, Ohsuzu F. Effect of bezafibrate therapy on atherosclerotic aortic plaques detected by MRI in dyslipidemic patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Atherosclerosis 2007; 196:425-433. [PMID: 17196967 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2006] [Revised: 11/11/2006] [Accepted: 11/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fibrates reduce triglycerides (TG) and increase HDL-cholesterol levels, but there was no report showing plaque regression by fibrates. Using MRI, we investigated the effects of bezafibrate on aortic plaques in 22 dyslipidemic patients. All patients were asked to receive 400mg bezafibrate, but 8 who declined to have bezafibrate became the control group. Changes in vessel wall area (VWA) and lumen area (LA) from baseline to 1-year were evaluated. Bezafibrate reduced TG (-55%) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels (+29%). Bezafibrate reduced HDL size and increased LDL size. In thoracic plaques, bezafibrate reduced VWA (-6%, P<0.001) with no LA change, but VWA slightly progressed without bezafibrate (+5%). In abdominal plaques, bezafibrate reduced VWA (-8%, P<0.001) with LA increase (+3%, P<0.02), but VWA progressed without bezafibrate (+6%). VWA changes in thoracic and abdominal plaques correlated with TG reduction and HDL-cholesterol increase. Notably, VWA change in only abdominal plaques correlated with HDL size reduction and LDL size increase. Thus, bezafibrate induced plaque regression in thoracic and abdominal aortas with marked TG reduction and HDL-cholesterol increase, but the processes of plaque regression and vascular remodeling may differ between thoracic and abdominal aortas. However, because our study was not a controlled, randomized trial, further study is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Ayaori
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Momiyama
- Division of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | - Atsushi Yonemura
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Reiko Ohmori
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Nobukiyo Tanaka
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nakaya
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masatsune Ogura
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shojiro Sawada
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Taniguchi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Kusuhara
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Haruo Nakamura
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Ohsuzu
- First Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan
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Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Evaluation of Vulnerable Plaque. CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-84628-715-2_40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Kim WY, Astrup AS, Stuber M, Tarnow L, Falk E, Botnar RM, Simonsen C, Pietraszek L, Hansen PR, Manning WJ, Andersen NT, Parving HH. Subclinical coronary and aortic atherosclerosis detected by magnetic resonance imaging in type 1 diabetes with and without diabetic nephropathy. Circulation 2006; 115:228-35. [PMID: 17190865 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.106.633339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with type 1 diabetes and nephropathy maintain an excess cardiovascular mortality compared with diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria. We sought to evaluate coronary and aortic atherosclerosis in a cohort of asymptomatic type 1 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS In a cross-sectional study, 136 subjects with long-standing type 1 diabetes without symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease, including 63 patients (46%) with nephropathy and 73 patients with normoalbuminuria, underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. All subjects underwent cardiac exercise testing and noninvasive tests for peripheral artery disease and autonomic neuropathy. Coronary artery stenoses were identified in 10% of subjects with nephropathy (versus 0% with normoalbuminuria; P=0.007). Coronary plaque burden, expressed as right coronary artery mean wall thickness (1.7+/-0.3 versus 1.3+/-0.2 mm; P<0.001) and maximum right coronary artery wall thickness (2.2+/-0.5 versus 1.6+/-0.3 mm; P<0.001), was greater in subjects with nephropathy. The prevalence of thoracic (3% versus 0%; P=0.28) and abdominal aortic plaque (22% versus 16%; P=0.7) was similar in both groups. Subjects with and without abdominal aortic plaques had similar coronary plaque burden. CONCLUSIONS In asymptomatic type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging reveals greater coronary plaque burden in subjects with nephropathy compared with those with normoalbuminuria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Yong Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Skejby Hospital, Brendstrupgaardsvej, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
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Schutte AE, van Vuuren D, van Rooyen JM, Huisman HW, Schutte R, Malan L, Malan NT. Inflammation, obesity and cardiovascular function in African and Caucasian women from South Africa: the POWIRS study. J Hum Hypertens 2006; 20:850-9. [PMID: 16855625 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jhh.1002065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The integrated relationship between inflammation, obesity and cardiovascular disease is currently a subject of much research interest. These specific relationships, however, have not been studied in-depth in South African population groups in order to determine the role of ethnicity. It is known that Africans, compared to Caucasians, suffer from a high prevalence of hypertension. It was therefore hypothesized that the levels of inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen and leptin) are higher in Africans compared to Caucasians and are notably associated with cardiovascular dysfunction in Africans. Apparently healthy African (N=102) and Caucasian (N=115) women, matched for age and body mass index (BMI), were recruited. Leptin, hsCRP, fibrinogen and lipid levels, waist circumference (WC), BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR) and Windkessel compliance were measured. Results showed that the levels of leptin, hsCRP and fibrinogen were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the African women. The inflammatory markers correlated strongly with cardiovascular parameters, age and obesity (BMI, WC) in both groups, but after adjusting for age and obesity, none of the correlations were significant anymore. Multiple regression analyses (with leptin, hsCRP or fibrinogen as dependent variable) showed that only leptin levels of African women were explained by cardiovascular parameters (BP, TPR and CO). In conclusion, even though African women had significantly higher leptin, hsCRP, fibrinogen and blood pressure levels than Caucasian women, no cardiovascular parameters explained the variation in the inflammatory markers (except for leptin levels of African women).
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Schutte
- School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, North-West Province 2520, South Africa.
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Bitar R, Moody AR, Leung G, Kiss A, Gladstone D, Sahlas DJ, Maggisano R. In Vivo Identification of Complicated Upper Thoracic Aorta and Arch Vessel Plaque by MR Direct Thrombus Imaging in Patients Investigated for Cerebrovascular Disease. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006; 187:228-34. [PMID: 16794181 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.05.1556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this article was to assess the feasibility of MR direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI) to evaluate the prevalence and location of complicated upper thoracic aortic and arch vessel plaque in patients referred for evaluation of cerebrovascular disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patients referred for investigation of cerebrovascular disease by MRI were enrolled. Reasons for referral included transient ischemic attack/amaurosis fugax, acute infarct, remote infarct, or asymptomatic carotid disease. Of the 348 patients initially scanned, 17 were excluded from the analysis. The final patient population included 331 patients (199 men, 132 women; mean age, 67.7 years). Patients were scanned using MRDTI, a 3D, T1-weighted, fat-suppressed spoiled gradient echo that exploits the T1 shortening effects of methemoglobin, directly visualizing hemorrhage/thrombus in the vessel wall, thus identifying complicated plaque. Complicated plaque was defined as a high signal within the atherosclerotic plaque at least twice the signal intensity of muscle. RESULTS Forty-three of 331 patients (13%) had complicated upper thoracic aortic atherosclerotic disease, arch vessel atherosclerotic disease, or both. The upper thoracic aorta was involved in 36 of 43 patients (83.7%), and the left subclavian artery was involved in 14 of 43 patients (32.6%). Both the right subclavian artery and the brachiocephalic artery were involved in one of 43 patients (2.3%). Complicated carotid plaque was seen in 25 of 43 patients (58.1%). CONCLUSION MRDTI can be applied in the detection of complicated plaque in the upper thoracic aorta and arch vessels. Complicated plaque was identified in 13% of the patient population. The upper thoracic aorta was the most common site involved. This technique could be useful for the screening of asymptomatic at-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Bitar
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The simplistic view of atherosclerosis as a disorder of pathological lipid deposition has been redefined by the more complex concept of an ongoing inflammatory response. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Apolipoprotein E and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-deficient mice develop accelerated atherosclerosis allowing in-depth pathophysiological investigations. Atherosclerotic plaques in these mice contain large numbers of T cells and macrophages. Crossbreeding apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with T-cell-deficient mice and mice with impaired macrophage function (osteopetrotic op/op mice) disclosed the important impact of immune cells on atherosclerotic lesion development. In contrast to the detrimental role of T cells and macrophages, B cells appear to be atheroprotective. These basic experimental findings have partly been confirmed in studies of the human carotid artery system. Inflammation is not only instrumental in the development of human atheromatous plaques, but, importantly, plays a crucial role in the destabilization of internal carotid artery plaques, thus converting chronic atherosclerosis into an acute thrombo-embolic disorder. Humoral factors involved in internal carotid artery destabilization include cytokines, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue factor. Antibodies to oxidized LDL can reflect disease activity on one hand, but can also confer atheroprotection. Novel MRI techniques may aid in the in vivo assessment of acute plaque inflammation in humans. CONCLUSIONS The impact of inflammation on the development of atherosclerotic plaques and their destabilization opens new avenues for treatment. The effects of statins, acetylsalicyclic acid and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on stroke prevention may partly be attributable to their profound anti-inflammatory actions. Vaccination against modified LDL and heat shock proteins halt plaque progression in experimental atherosclerosis. Their potential for prevention of human atherosclerosis is currently under investigation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
- Apolipoproteins E/deficiency
- Apolipoproteins E/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/etiology
- Atherosclerosis/immunology
- Atherosclerosis/physiopathology
- Autoantibodies/immunology
- Carotid Artery Diseases/complications
- Carotid Artery Diseases/drug therapy
- Carotid Artery Diseases/pathology
- Crosses, Genetic
- Cytokines/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cytokines/physiology
- Endothelium, Vascular/injuries
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Female
- Heart Transplantation
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Inflammation/complications
- Inflammation/drug therapy
- Lipoproteins, LDL/immunology
- Macrophages/pathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, SCID
- Models, Animal
- Osteopetrosis/genetics
- Osteopetrosis/immunology
- Postoperative Complications/immunology
- Postoperative Complications/pathology
- Protease Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/genetics
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency/immunology
- Stroke/etiology
- Stroke/prevention & control
- T-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Thromboembolism/etiology
- Thromboembolism/prevention & control
- Vaccination
- Vasculitis/complications
- Vasculitis/drug therapy
- Vasculitis/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Stoll
- Department of Neurology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany.
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Corti R. Noninvasive imaging of atherosclerotic vessels by MRI for clinical assessment of the effectiveness of therapy. Pharmacol Ther 2006; 110:57-70. [PMID: 16445985 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2005.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2005] [Accepted: 09/14/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its thrombotic complications are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries. Despite advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis and new treatment modalities, the absence of an adequate noninvasive method for early detection limits prevention or treatment of patients with various degrees and localizations of atherothrombotic disease. The ideal clinical imaging modality for atherosclerosis should be safe, inexpensive, noninvasive or minimally invasive, accurate, and reproducible, thus allowing longitudinal studies in the same patients. Additionally, the results should correlate with the extent of atherosclerotic disease and have high predictive values for clinical events. In vivo, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently emerged as one of the most promising techniques for the noninvasive study of atherothrombotic disease in several vascular beds such as the aorta, the carotid arteries, and the coronary arteries. Most importantly MRI can be used to characterize plaque composition as it allows the discrimination of lipid core, fibrosis, calcification, and intra-plaque hemorrhage deposits. MRI findings have been extensively validated against pathology in ex vivo studies of carotid, aortic, and coronary artery specimens obtained at autopsy and using experimental models of atherosclerosis. In vivo MRI of carotid arteries of patients referred for endarterectomy has shown a high correlation with pathology and with previous ex vivo results. A recent study in patients with plaques in the thoracic aorta showed that compared with transesophageal echocardiography plaque composition and size are more accurately characterized and measured using in vivo MRI. The composition of the plaque rather than the degree of stenosis determines the patient outcome. Therefore, a reliable noninvasive imaging tool able to detect early atherosclerotic disease in the various regions and identify the plaque composition is clinically desirable. MRI has potential in the detection arterial thrombi and in the definition of thrombus age. MRI has been used to monitor plaque progression and regression in several animal model of atherosclerosis and more recently in human. Advances in diagnosis prosper when they march hand-in-hand with advances in treatment. We stand at the threshold of accurate noninvasive assessment of atherosclerosis. Thus, MRI opens new strategies ranging from screening of high-risk patients for early detection and treatment as well as monitoring the target areas for pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Corti
- Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Momiyama Y, Kato R, Fayad ZA, Tanaka N, Taniguchi H, Ohmori R, Kihara T, Kameyama A, Miyazaki K, Kimura K, Arakawa K, Kusuhara M, Nagata M, Nakamura H, Ohsuzu F. A Possible Association Between Coronary Plaque Instability and Complex Plaques in Abdominal Aorta. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2006; 26:903-9. [PMID: 16424346 DOI: 10.1161/01.atv.0000204637.00865.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Coronary plaque instability causes myocardial infarction (MI). Angiographic lesions with such instability are complex lesions. Complex carotid plaques were reported to be prevalent in unstable angina. We investigated associations between coronary plaque instability, such as MI and angiographic complex coronary lesions, and aortic plaques. METHODS AND RESULTS Aortic MRI was performed in 146 patients undergoing coronary angiography, of whom 108 had coronary artery disease (CAD) and 44 also had MI. Prevalence of plaques in thoracic and abdominal aortas was higher in patients with than without CAD (73% and 94% versus 32% and 79%), but it was similar in CAD patients with and without MI. Notably, complex plaques in abdominal aorta were more prevalent in CAD patients with than without MI (36% versus 14%; P<0.025). In multivariate analysis, abdominal complex plaques were associated with MI (odds ratio [OR], 4.5; 95% CI, 1.5 to 13.8). Among patients without MI, thoracic and abdominal complex plaques were more prevalent in patients with than without complex coronary lesions (22% and 33% versus 2% and 7%; P<0.05). Abdominal complex plaques were also associated with complex coronary lesions (OR, 9.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 85.9). CONCLUSIONS Complex plaques in abdominal aorta were associated with MI and complex coronary lesions, suggesting a link between coronary and aortic plaque instability.
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