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Malferrari G, Merli N, Inchingolo V, Siniscalchi A, Laterza D, Monaco D, Arnone G, Zini A, Prada F, Azzini C, Pugliatti M. Role of Advanced Hemodynamic Ultrasound Evaluation in the Differential Diagnosis of Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis: Introducing Morphological Criteria. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:2428-2435. [PMID: 37550172 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the work described here was to determine the possible impact of the new technique advanced hemodynamic ultrasound evaluation (AHUSE) in identification of severe intracranial stenosis. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and transcranial color-coded Doppler (TCCD) provide reliable velocimetric data, the indirect analysis of which allows us to obtain information on the patency of vessels and assumed stenosis range. However, very tight stenoses (>95%) cannot be detected with velocimetric criteria because of spectrum drops and the absence of high velocities, so that the right curve of the Spencer equation cannot be solved. Likewise, high velocities are not detected when analyzing morphologically long stenosis. Furthermore, the current classifications based on velocimetric criteria do not provide any categorization on stenoses with multiple acceleration points (MAPs). METHODS With this Technical Note we aim to introduce, in addition to velocimetric criteria, more morphological criteria based on TCCD with the algorithm of AHUSE to optimize the characterization of intracranial stenosis (IS). TCCD-AHUSE relies on intensity-based next-generation techniques and can be used to identify IS with MAPs and simultaneously perform a morphological assessment of the stenosis length. RESULTS We introduce a new technical ultrasound (U) approach that we tested in a sample of four different types of stenoses combining velocimetric data and AHUSE using Esaote Microvascularization (MicroV) technique to the M1 tract of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). CONCLUSION The authors believe that a multiparametric evaluation is more sensitive and supports the clinician by introducing the morphological concept, not just the velocimetric concept, to differentiate the IS pattern of MCA. The potential for developing a diagnostic/prognostic algorithm is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Malferrari
- Stroke Unit and Neurology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Nicola Merli
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Inchingolo
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Antonio Siniscalchi
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Domenico Laterza
- Neurology and Stroke Unit, Nuovo Ospedale degli Infermi, Biella (BI), Italy
| | - Daniela Monaco
- Department of Emergency Neurology and Stroke Unit, "S. Spirito" Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | - Giorgia Arnone
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neurologia e Rete Stroke Metropolitana, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Zini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neurologia e Rete Stroke Metropolitana, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Prada
- Acoustic Neuroimaging and Therapy Lab, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milano, Italy; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; Focused Ultrasound Foundation, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Cristiano Azzini
- Stroke Unit and Neurology Unit, S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara Italy
| | - Maura Pugliatti
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Italy; S. Anna University Hospital, Ferrara Italy
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Sakurada K, Yamada K, Amemiya K, Yamaguchi E, Kataoka H. Difficulties in Carotid Artery Stenting Due to Calcified Nodules: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e46233. [PMID: 37908903 PMCID: PMC10613551 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The feasibility of carotid artery stenting (CAS) for carotid stenosis with severely calcified plaque remains controversial. Understanding the features associated with CAS difficulty in lesions with severe calcification is crucial. Calcified nodules, one of the morphological patterns of calcified plaques, have not been assessed for their association with the feasibility of CAS, even though they are associated with failure of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in coronary arteries. We present a rare case of carotid stenosis with calcified nodules in whom CAS was unsuccessful and who was subsequently successfully treated by carotid endarterectomy (CEA). A 79-year-old man presented with a transient ischemic attack caused by severe stenosis of the right internal carotid artery and opted for CAS. During the procedure, multiple attempts at balloon angioplasty using a 3.5-mm balloon were made, but effective dilation could not be achieved, resulting in recoil. Subsequently, the patient underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA), and the excised specimen revealed a calcified nodule, a large nodular calcified plaque protruding into the lumen. The patient was discharged with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 at 19 days after the CEA. The protrusion of this large calcified nodule into the lumen was deemed responsible for the inadequate stent dilation. Although rarely reported in carotid stenosis, calcified nodules might represent a challenging plaque type for CAS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kokyo Sakurada
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JPN
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JPN
| | - Kisaki Amemiya
- Department of Pathology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JPN
| | - Eriko Yamaguchi
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JPN
| | - Hiroharu Kataoka
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JPN
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Strecker C, Kopczak A, Saam T, Sepp D, Hennemuth A, Mayerhofer E, Poli S, Ziemann U, Poppert H, Schindler A, Harloff A. Carotid geometry is independently associated with complicated carotid artery plaques. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1177998. [PMID: 37378412 PMCID: PMC10291134 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1177998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Complicated carotid artery plaques (cCAPs) are associated with an increased risk of rupture and subsequent stroke. The geometry of the carotid bifurcation determines the distribution of local hemodynamics and could thus contribute to the development and composition of these plaques. Therefore, we studied the role of carotid bifurcation geometry in the presence of cCAPs. Methods We investigated the association of individual vessel geometry with carotid artery plaque types in the Carotid Plaque Imaging in Acute Stroke (CAPIAS) study. After excluding arteries without plaque or with insufficient MRI quality, 354 carotid arteries from 182 patients were analyzed. Individual parameters of carotid geometry [i.e., internal carotid artery (ICA)/common carotid artery (CCA) ratio, bifurcation angle, and tortuosity) were derived from time-of-flight MR images. The lesion types of carotid artery plaques were determined according to the American Heart Association classification of lesions by multi-contrast 3T-MRI. The association between carotid geometry and a cCAP was studied using logistic regression after adjusting for age, sex, wall area, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results Low ICA/CCA ratios (OR per SD increase 0.60 [95%CI: 0.42-0.85]; p = 0.004) and low bifurcation angles (OR 0.61 [95%CI: 0.42-0.90]; p = 0.012) were significantly associated with the presence of cCAPs after adjusting for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and wall area. Tortuosity had no significant association with cCAPs. Only ICA/CCA ratio remained significant in a model containing all three geometric parameters (OR per SD increase 0.65 [95%CI: 0.45-0.94]; p = 0.023). Conclusions A steep tapering of the ICA relative to the CCA and, to a lesser extent, a low angle of the carotid bifurcation were associated with the presence of cCAPs. Our findings highlight the contribution of bifurcation geometry to plaque vulnerability. Thus, assessment of carotid geometry could be helpful in identifying patients at risk of cCAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Strecker
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna Kopczak
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Dominik Sepp
- Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Hennemuth
- Institute for Imaging Science and Computational Modelling in Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ernst Mayerhofer
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sven Poli
- Department of Neurology and Stroke and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Holger Poppert
- Department of Neurology, Helios Klinikum München West, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Schindler
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Harloff
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Wang X, Li J, Wang X, Gao J, Jing H, Xing Y. Clinical Evaluation of High-Resolution MRI Combined With DWI in Identifying Vulnerable Carotid Plaque. Neurologist 2023; 28:5-10. [PMID: 35348493 DOI: 10.1097/nrl.0000000000000432] [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: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging combined with diffusion weighted imaging is used to identify vulnerable plaques (VP) and their characteristic components, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) correlation analysis with serum inflammatory markers to assess plaque vulnerability. METHODS In this study, 60 eligible patients were included, including 29 patients in VP group and 31 patients in non-VP group (N group). The average ADC value, serum inflammatory marker levels (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) of the 2 groups were measured, and the characteristics of different plaque components and ADC levels of vascular wall in VP group were compared, to evaluate the correlation between serum inflammatory markers and the mean value of plaque ADC. RESULTS The results showed that the ADC mean value of the plaques in the VP group was significantly lower than that in the N group, and the levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase were correlated with the ADC mean value of the plaques. CONCLUSION The ADC value of plaque measured by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging combined with diffusion weighted imaging sequence can quantify the identification of VP and its characteristic components, reflect the inflammation of plaque to a certain extent, and thus prevent and treat stroke and other adverse outcomes more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
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Li Z, Qin Z, Kong X, Chen B, Hu W, Lin Z, Feng Y, Li H, Wan Q, Li S. CCL14 exacerbates intraplaque vulnerability by promoting neovascularization in the human carotid plaque. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022; 31:106670. [PMID: 35973397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106670] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the role of CCL14 in the neovascularization process and vulnerability progression within carotid plaques by investigating the mechanism of CCL14 regulation of VEGF-A. METHODS We first performed histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining of human carotid plaque tissue to detect the expression of CCL14, JAK2, STAT3 and VEGF-A. We next examined the protein expression of CCL14, VEGF-A, JAK2, STAT3, and phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques by Western blotting. Finally, we performed in vitro culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In the tube formation assay of HUVEC, we added CCL14 siRNA or VEGF-A siRNA to the culture medium using lentiviral transfection to knock down CCL14 or VEGF-A and grouped them for control assays, and detected the changes in the expression of the above proteins using Western blotting. RESULTS Histological and Western blotting analysis of human carotid plaque samples showed that the expression of CCL14 and VEGF-A was higher in the vulnerable plaques than in stable plaques. In the in vitro cultures of HUVEC, CCL14 was found to increase the number and length of intercellularly generated tubular structures. CCL14 increases VEGF-A expression via activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling. CONCLUSION In the human carotid plaques, CCL14 promotes angiogenesis by upregulation of VEGF-A via JAK2/STAT3 pathway and thus drives the progression of carotid plaques vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Li
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangyi Kong
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Department of Pathophysiology, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Baiqiang Chen
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenjie Hu
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Department of Pathophysiology, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhiqi Lin
- Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, affiliated with Jinan University, 396 Tongfu Middle Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yugong Feng
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Huanting Li
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Department of Pathophysiology, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Shifang Li
- Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, China.
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Che F, Mi D, Wang A, Ju Y, Sui B, Geng X, Zhao X, Zhao X. Extracranial carotid plaque hemorrhage predicts ipsilateral stroke recurrence in patients with carotid atherosclerosis – a study based on high-resolution vessel wall imaging MRI. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:237. [PMID: 35764942 PMCID: PMC9238155 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02758-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is a hallmark of carotid plaque vulnerability. We aim to investigate the association between IPH and recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke.
Methods
Patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were prospectively recruited and underwent an ultrasonographic examination and carotid HR VWMRI on the side consistent with symptoms. Carotid plaque was defined as carotid intima-media-thickness (IMT) by ultrasound≥1.5 mm. IPH was determined that the ratio of the plaque signal intensity relative to that of adjacent muscle was > 1.5. All enrolled patients were clinically followed until an ipsilateral ischemic stroke, TIA, carotid endarterectomy (CEA)/carotid artery stenting (CAS), or death within 12 months. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between clinical characteristics and IPH. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a log-rank test were used to compare recurrence-free survival time between the IPH and non-IPH groups. Cox regression models evaluated IPH as the predictor of ipsilateral stroke recurrence.
Results
A total of 171 patients (mean age, 60.13 ± 10.04 years; 118 males) were included in the final analysis. Thirty-two patients (18.7%) showed carotid IPH. During the follow-up, patients with carotid IPH suffered 60.9% (14 of 23) of recurrent ipsilateral strokes and 60.0% (3 of 5) TIA. Multivariate Cox regression analysis proved IPH as a strong predictor of ipsilateral stroke; the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 6.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.84–15.54, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, Cox regression analysis also proved that IPH could predict recurrent ischemic events; the adjusted HR was 8.08 (95% CI, 3.65–17.91, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage is strongly associated with recurrent ischemic events and could predict recurrent ipsilateral stroke.
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Che F, Liu Y, Gong X, Wang A, Bai X, Ju Y, Sui B, Jing J, Geng X, Zhao X. Extracranial Carotid Plaque Hemorrhage Is Independently Associated With Poor 3-month Functional Outcome After Acute Ischemic Stroke-A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Neurol 2022; 12:780436. [PMID: 34970212 PMCID: PMC8712340 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.780436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Carotid plaque hemorrhage (IPH) is a critical plaque vulnerable feature. We aim to elucidate the association between symptomatic extracranial carotid atherosclerotic IPH and poor 3-month functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke by high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HRVMRI). Methods: We prospectively studied consecutive patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) of carotid atherosclerotic origin. All patients underwent a High-Resolution (HR) VWMRI scan of ipsilateral extracranial carotid within 1 week after admission. The patients recruited were interviewed by telephone after 3 months after stroke onset. The primary outcome was a 3-month functional prognosis of stroke, expressed as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. A poor prognosis was defined as a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥ of 3. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between risk factors and IPH. The relation between IPH and 3-month functional outcome was analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 156 patients (mean age, 61.18 ± 10.12 years; 108 males) were included in the final analysis. There were significant differences in the age, gender, smoking history, national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) on admission, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on admission between the IPH group and the non-IPH group (all p < 0.05). During the follow-up, 32 patients (20.5%) had a poor functional outcome. According to the prognosis analysis of poor functional recovery, there was a significant difference between the two groups [36.7 vs. 16.7%; unadjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.32, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–4.81, p = 0.024). Even after adjusting for confounding factors [such as age, gender, smoking history, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission, DBP on admission, stenosis rate of carotid artery (CA), calcification, loose matrix, lipo-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and statins accepted at 3 months], IPH was still a strong predictor of poor 3-month outcome, and the adjusted OR was 3.66 (95% CI 1.68–7.94, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Extracranial carotid IPH is significantly associated with poor 3-month outcome after acute ischemic stroke and can predict the poor 3-month functional prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengli Che
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiping Gong
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Anxin Wang
- Tiantan Neuroimaging Center for Excellence, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Bai
- Department of Neuroradiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Ju
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Sui
- Tiantan Neuroimaging Center for Excellence, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neuroradiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jing
- Tiantan Neuroimaging Center for Excellence, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaokun Geng
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, China-America Institute of Neuroscience, Beijing, China
| | - Xingquan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Tiantan Neuroimaging Center for Excellence, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Unit of Artificial Intelligence in Cerebrovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Yanofsky R, Sancho C, Gasbarrino K, Zheng H, Doonan RJ, Jaunet F, Steinmetz-Wood S, Veinot JP, Lai C, Daskalopoulou SS. Expression of Resistin, Chemerin, and Chemerin's Receptor in the Unstable Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque. Stroke 2021; 52:2537-2546. [PMID: 33980047 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Yanofsky
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine (R.Y.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Karina Gasbarrino
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (K.G., H.Z., S.S.D.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Huaien Zheng
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (K.G., H.Z., S.S.D.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Robert J Doonan
- Department of Vascular Surgery (R.J.D.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Fanny Jaunet
- Department of Biological Engineering, Polytech Nice-Sophia, Biot, France (F.J.)
| | - Samantha Steinmetz-Wood
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington (S.S.-W.)
| | - John P Veinot
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Chi Lai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Stella S Daskalopoulou
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (K.G., H.Z., S.S.D.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Saba L, Mossa-Basha M, Abbott A, Lanzino G, Wardlaw JM, Hatsukami TS, Micheletti G, Balestrieri A, Hedin U, Moody AR, Wintermark M, DeMarco JK. Multinational Survey of Current Practice from Imaging to Treatment of Atherosclerotic Carotid Stenosis. Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 50:108-120. [PMID: 33440369 DOI: 10.1159/000512181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last 20-30 years, there have been many advances in imaging and therapeutic strategies for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals with carotid artery stenosis. Our aim was to examine contemporary multinational practice standards. METHODS Departmental Review Board approval for this study was obtained, and 3 authors prepared the 44 multiple choice survey questions. Endorsement was obtained by the European Society of Neuroradiology, American Society of Functional Neuroradiology, and African Academy of Neurology. A link to the online questionnaire was sent to their respective members and members of the Faculty Advocating Collaborative and Thoughtful Carotid Artery Treatments (FACTCATS). The questionnaire was open from May 16 to July 16, 2019. RESULTS The responses from 223 respondents from 46 countries were included in the analyses including 65.9% from academic university hospitals. Neuroradiologists/radiologists comprised 68.2% of respondents, followed by neurologists (15%) and vascular surgeons (12.9%). In symptomatic patients, half (50.4%) the respondents answered that the first exam they used to evaluate carotid bifurcation was ultrasound, followed by computed tomography angiography (CTA, 41.6%) and then magnetic resonance imaging (MRI 8%). In asymptomatic patients, the first exam used to evaluate carotid bifurcation was ultrasound in 88.8% of respondents, CTA in 7%, and MRA in 4.2%. The percent stenosis upon which carotid endarterectomy or stenting was recommended was reduced in the presence of imaging evidence of "vulnerable plaque features" by 66.7% respondents for symptomatic patients and 34.2% for asymptomatic patients with a smaller subset of respondents even offering procedural intervention to patients with <50% symptomatic or asymptomatic stenosis. CONCLUSIONS We found heterogeneity in current practices of carotid stenosis imaging and management in this worldwide survey with many respondents including vulnerable plaque imaging into their decision analysis despite the lack of proven benefit from clinical trials. This study highlights the need for new clinical trials using vulnerable plaque imaging to select high-risk patients despite maximal medical therapy who may benefit from procedural intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy,
| | - Mahmoud Mossa-Basha
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anne Abbott
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Lanzino
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Michigan, USA
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging and UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas S Hatsukami
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Ulf Hedin
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alan R Moody
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Max Wintermark
- Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - J Kevin DeMarco
- Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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10
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Complicated Carotid Artery Plaques as a Cause of Cryptogenic Stroke. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 76:2212-2222. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.09.532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Sun Y, Xu L, Jiang Y, Ma M, Wang XY, Xing Y. Significance of high resolution MRI in the identification of carotid plaque. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:3653-3660. [PMID: 32855717 PMCID: PMC7444342 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The stability of carotid artery plaque serves a key role in the occurrence of stroke. The present study was based on the recruitment of patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) was used to identify the nature of carotid artery plaque, and the results were then used to manage the high-risk group of stroke. The patients were divided equally into a symptomatic group (36 cases) and an asymptomatic group (36 cases). According to the degree of carotid artery stenosis, the patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe stenosis groups, each group comprising 12 patients, and HR-MRI was performed. The proportion of patients with vulnerable plaque in the symptomatic group was higher compared with that in the asymptomatic group (P<0.05). The more severe the stenosis, the higher the proportion of vulnerable plaque that was identified (P<0.05). Compared with carotid ultrasound, HR-MRI was indicated to have the capability to both identify and quantify the different components in the plaque, allowing an assessment of its properties. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that carotid HR-MRI is able to distinguish and quantify the different components of plaque, which may prove to be helpful for the hierarchical management of a population at high risk of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Sun
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Yan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Ming Ma
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Xin-Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130033, P.R. China
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12
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Baun J. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Identification of Neovascularization Permits Characterization of Vulnerable Carotid Plaques. JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/8756479320929017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) represents an ongoing health problem and is responsible for a significant proportion of all cerebral ischemic events (CIEs). Method: A review of the literature was performed on the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to enhance the diagnosis of ASVD and further avoid CIEs. Results: Cerebral ischemic events are those resulting from reduction or cessation of perfusion to localized regions of the brain made manifest by neurological, typically stroke-like, symptoms. Traditional triplex ultrasound evaluation is a reliable and widely established method of identifying carotid ASVD lesions and grading the accompanying degree of focal stenoses and their hemodynamic impact. While this information plays an integral role in determining management of patients with significant carotid ASVD, it is less useful in classifying individual lesions as “vulnerable” or not. Vulnerable lesions are those that, based on their histological and morphological features, predispose a patient to an increased risk of a CIE due to plaque or thrombus embolization. Conclusions: The addition of CEUS to carotid artery diagnostic studies offers new potential in identifying vulnerable plaques and predicting which patients will progress to sequelae associated with a cerebral ischemic event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Baun
- University of Findlay, Toledo, OH, USA
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13
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Murgia A, Balestrieri A, Francone M, Lucatelli P, Scapin E, Buckler A, Micheletti G, Faa G, Conti M, Suri JS, Guglielmi G, Carriero A, Saba L. Plaque imaging volume analysis: technique and application. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2020; 10:1032-1047. [PMID: 32968659 PMCID: PMC7487381 DOI: 10.21037/cdt.2020.03.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The prevention and management of atherosclerosis poses a tough challenge to public health organizations worldwide. Together with myocardial infarction, stroke represents its main manifestation, with up to 25% of all ischemic strokes being caused by thromboembolism arising from the carotid arteries. Therefore, a vast number of publications have focused on the characterization of the culprit lesion, the atherosclerotic plaque. A paradigm shift appears to be taking place at the current state of research, as the attention is gradually moving from the classically defined degree of stenosis to the identification of features of plaque vulnerability, which appear to be more reliable predictors of recurrent cerebrovascular events. The present review will offer a perspective on the present state of research in the field of carotid atherosclerotic disease, focusing on the imaging modalities currently used in the study of the carotid plaque and the impact that such diagnostic means are having in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Murgia
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo di Monserrato, s.s. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
| | - Antonella Balestrieri
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo di Monserrato, s.s. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
| | - Marco Francone
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences-Radiology, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierleone Lucatelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences-Radiology, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Scapin
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo di Monserrato, s.s. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Micheletti
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo di Monserrato, s.s. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
| | - Gavino Faa
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo San Giovanni di Dio, Cagliari (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
| | - Maurizio Conti
- Diagnostic and Monitoring Division, AtheroPoint™ LLC, Roseville, CA, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, U of Idaho (Affl.), Idaho, USA
| | - Jasjit S. Suri
- Diagnostic and Monitoring Division, AtheroPoint™ LLC, Roseville, CA, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, U of Idaho (Affl.), Idaho, USA
| | | | - Alessandro Carriero
- Department of Radiology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari – Polo di Monserrato, s.s. 554 Monserrato (Cagliari) 09045, Italy
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14
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Saba L, Zucca S, Gupta A, Micheletti G, Suri JS, Balestrieri A, Porcu M, Crivelli P, Lanzino G, Qi Y, Nardi V, Faa G, Montisci R. Perivascular Fat Density and Contrast Plaque Enhancement: Does a Correlation Exist? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:1460-1465. [PMID: 32732275 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Inflammatory changes in the fat tissue surrounding the coronary arteries have been associated with coronary artery disease and high-risk vulnerable plaques. Our aim was to investigate possible correlations between the presence and degree of perivascular fat density and a marker of vulnerable carotid plaque, namely contrast plaque enhancement on CTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS One-hundred patients (76 men, 24 women; mean age, 69 years) who underwent CT angiography for investigation of carotid artery stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. Contrast plaque enhancement and perivascular fat density were measured in 100 carotid arteries, and values were stratified according to symptomatic (ipsilateral-to-cerebrovascular symptoms)/asymptomatic status (carotid artery with the most severe degree of stenosis). Correlation coefficients (Pearson ρ product moment) were calculated between the contrast plaque enhancement and perivascular fat density. The differences among the correlation ρ values were calculated using the Fisher r-to-z transformation. Mann-Whitney analysis was also calculated to test differences between the groups. RESULTS There was a statistically significant positive correlation between contrast plaque enhancement and perivascular fat density (ρ value = 0.6582, P value = .001). The correlation was stronger for symptomatic rather than asymptomatic patients (ρ value = 0.7052, P value = .001 versus ρ value = 0.4092, P value = .001). CONCLUSIONS There was a positive association between perivascular fat density and contrast plaque enhancement on CTA. This correlation was stronger for symptomatic rather than asymptomatic patients. Our results suggest that perivascular fat density could be used as an indirect marker of plaque instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Saba
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - S Zucca
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - A Gupta
- Stroke Diagnosis and Monitoring Division (J.S.S.), AtheroPoint (TM), Roseville, California
| | - G Micheletti
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - J S Suri
- Stroke Diagnosis and Monitoring Division (J.S.S.), AtheroPoint (TM), Roseville, California
| | - A Balestrieri
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - M Porcu
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - P Crivelli
- Department of Radiology (P.C.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Lanzino
- Department of Neurologic Surgery (G.L., V.N.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Y Qi
- Xuanwu Hospital (Y.Q.), Capital Medical University Beijing, China
| | - V Nardi
- Department of Neurologic Surgery (G.L., V.N.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - G Faa
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - R Montisci
- From the Departments of Radiology (L.S., S.Z., G.M., A.B., M.P.), Pathology (G.F.), and Vascular Surgery (R.M.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy; Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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15
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Marlevi D, Mulvagh SL, Huang R, DeMarco JK, Ota H, Huston J, Winter R, Macedo TA, Abdelmoneim SS, Larsson M, Pellikka PA, Urban MW. Combined spatiotemporal and frequency-dependent shear wave elastography enables detection of vulnerable carotid plaques as validated by MRI. Sci Rep 2020; 10:403. [PMID: 31942025 PMCID: PMC6962347 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatal cerebrovascular events are often caused by rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. However, rupture-prone plaques are often distinguished by their internal composition rather than degree of luminal narrowing, and conventional imaging techniques might thus fail to detect such culprit lesions. In this feasibility study, we investigate the potential of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) to detect vulnerable carotid plaques, evaluating group velocity and frequency-dependent phase velocities as novel biomarkers for plaque vulnerability. In total, 27 carotid plaques from 20 patients were scanned by ultrasound SWE and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SWE output was quantified as group velocity and frequency-dependent phase velocities, respectively, with results correlated to intraplaque constituents identified by MRI. Overall, vulnerable lesions graded as American Heart Association (AHA) type VI showed significantly higher group and phase velocity compared to any other AHA type. A selection of correlations with intraplaque components could also be identified with group and phase velocity (lipid-rich necrotic core content, fibrous cap structure, intraplaque hemorrhage), complementing the clinical lesion classification. In conclusion, we demonstrate the ability to detect vulnerable carotid plaques using combined SWE, with group velocity and frequency-dependent phase velocity providing potentially complementary information on plaque characteristics. With such, the method represents a promising non-invasive approach for refined atherosclerotic risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Marlevi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Sharon L Mulvagh
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America.,Division of Cardiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Runqing Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - J Kevin DeMarco
- Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States of America.,Department of Radiology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Hideki Ota
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - John Huston
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Reidar Winter
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thanila A Macedo
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Sahar S Abdelmoneim
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Matilda Larsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patricia A Pellikka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Matthew W Urban
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States of America
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16
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Liu Z, Bai Z, Huang C, Huang M, Huang L, Xu D, Zhang H, Yuan C, Luo J. Interoperator Reproducibility of Carotid Elastography for Identification of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2019; 66:505-516. [PMID: 30575532 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2018.2888479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-based carotid elastography has been developed to evaluate the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo interoperator reproducibility of carotid elastography for the identification of vulnerable plaques, with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as reference. Ultrasound radio-frequency data of 45 carotid arteries (including 53 plaques) from 32 volunteers were acquired separately by two experienced operators in the longitudinal view and then were used to estimate the interframe axial strain rate (ASR) with a two-step optical flow method. The maximum 99th percentile of absolute ASR of all plaques in a carotid artery was used as the elastographic index. MRI scanning was also performed on each volunteer to identify the vulnerable plaque. The results showed no systematic bias in the Bland-Altman plot and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.66 between the two operators. In addition, no statistical significance was found between the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves from the two operators ( ), and their areas under the ROC curves were 0.83 and 0.77, respectively. Using the mean measurements of the two operators as the classification criterion, a sensitivity of 71.4%, a specificity of 87.1%, and an accuracy of 82.2% were obtained with a cutoff value of 1.37 [Formula: see text]. This study validates the interoperator reproducibility of ultrasound-based carotid elastography for identifying vulnerable carotid plaques.
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17
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Hart RG, Connolly SJ, Mundl H. Rivaroxaban for Stroke Prevention after Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. N Engl J Med 2018; 379:986-7. [PMID: 30184459 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc1809065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Hart
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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18
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Olesen ND, Fischer M, Secher NH. Sodium nitroprusside dilates cerebral vessels and enhances internal carotid artery flow in young men. J Physiol 2018; 596:3967-3976. [PMID: 29917239 DOI: 10.1113/jp275887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Sodium nitroprusside lowers blood pressure by vasodilatation but is reported to reduce cerebral blood flow. In healthy young men sodium nitroprusside reduced blood pressure, total peripheral resistance, and arterial CO2 tension and yet cerebral blood flow was maintained, with an increase in internal carotid artery blood flow and cerebrovascular conductance. Sodium nitroprusside induces both systemic and cerebral vasodilatation affecting internal carotid artery more than vertebral artery flow. ABSTRACT Cerebral autoregulation maintains cerebral blood flow (CBF) despite marked changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduces blood pressure by vasodilatation but is reported to lower CBF, probably by a reduction in its perfusion pressure. We evaluated the influence of SNP on CBF and aimed for a 20% and then 40% reduction in MAP, while keeping MAP ≥ 50 mmHg, to challenge cerebral autoregulation. In 19 healthy men (age 24 ± 4 years; mean ± SD) duplex ultrasound determined right internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) blood flow. The SNP reduced MAP (from 83 ± 8 to 69 ± 8 and 58 ± 4 mmHg; both P < 0.0001), total peripheral resistance, and arterial CO2 tension (P aC O2; 41 ± 3 vs. 39 ± 3 and 37 ± 4 mmHg; both P < 0.01). Yet ICA flow increased with the moderate reduction in MAP but returned to the baseline value with the large reduction in MAP (336 ± 66 vs. 365 ± 69; P = 0.013 and 349 ± 82 ml min-1 ; n.s.), while VA flow (114 ± 34 vs. 112 ± 38 and 110 ± 42 ml min-1 ; both n.s.) and CBF ((ICA + VA flow) × 2; 899 ± 135 vs. 962 ± 127 and 918 ± 197 ml min-1 ; both n.s.) were maintained with increased cerebrovascular conductance. In conclusion, CBF is maintained during SNP-induced reduction in MAP despite reduced P aC O2 and the results indicate that SNP dilates cerebral vessels and increases ICA flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels D Olesen
- Department of Anaesthesia, The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Fischer
- Department of Anaesthesia, The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels H Secher
- Department of Anaesthesia, The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Xu Y, Li D, Yuan C, Zhou Z, He L, Li R, Cui Y, Li Q, Zheng Z, Zhao X. Association of severity between carotid and intracranial artery atherosclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2018; 5:843-849. [PMID: 30009201 PMCID: PMC6043773 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study sought to investigate the relationship of atherosclerosis between intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries using three‐dimensional multicontrast magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging. Methods Patients with recent cerebrovascular symptoms in anterior circulation were recruited and underwent MR vessel wall imaging for intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries. The plaque burden, including maximum wall thickness (Max WT) and stenosis, and presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) were assessed. The correlation of the plaque characteristics between intracranial and extracranial carotid arteries was determined. Results In total, 107 patients (mean age: 57.0 ± 11.1 years, 69 males) were recruited. In discriminating intracranial severe stenosis (≥50% stenosis), the odds ratio (OR) of Max WT of extracranial carotid arteries was 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–2.11, P = 0.095) and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.04–2.83, P = 0.034) before and after adjusting for confounding factors, respectively. The OR of stenosis of extracranial carotid arteries with increment of 10% was 1.26 (95% CI, 0.99–1.60, P = 0.054) and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.03–1.82, P = 0.033) before and after adjusting for confounding factors, in discriminating intracranial severe stenosis respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) of Max WT, stenosis, and IPH of extracranial carotid artery plaques was 0.641, 0.605, and 0.603 in discriminating intracranial severe stenosis, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the AUC of Max WT, stenosis, and presence of IPH in extracranial carotid artery plaques increased to 0.812, 0.817 and 0.781, respectively. Interpretation Carotid artery plaque burden is significantly associated with severe intracranial artery stenosis, suggesting that extracranial carotid plaque burden might be an independent indicator for severity of intracranial artery atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Xu
- Department of RadiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalSchool of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Dongye Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging ResearchDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of MedicineBeijingChina
- Center for Brain Disorders ResearchCapital Medical University and Beijing Institute for Brain DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Chun Yuan
- Center for Biomedical Imaging ResearchDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of MedicineBeijingChina
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington
| | - Zechen Zhou
- Philips Research North AmericaCambridgeMassachusetts
| | - Le He
- Center for Biomedical Imaging ResearchDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Rui Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging ResearchDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of MedicineBeijingChina
| | - Yuanyuan Cui
- Department of RadiologyPLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Qing Li
- Department of NeurologyPeople's Hospital of Xinjiang Vygur Autonomous RegionUrumqiChina
| | - Zhuozhao Zheng
- Department of RadiologyBeijing Tsinghua Changgung HospitalSchool of Clinical MedicineTsinghua UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging ResearchDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of MedicineBeijingChina
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20
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Cattaneo M, Wyttenbach R, Corti R, Staub D, Gallino A. The Growing Field of Imaging of Atherosclerosis in Peripheral Arteries. Angiology 2018; 70:20-34. [PMID: 29783854 DOI: 10.1177/0003319718776122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, peripheral arteries have represented a model for the comprehension of atherosclerosis as well as for the development of new diagnostic imaging modalities and therapeutic strategies. Peripheral arteries may represent a window to study atherosclerosis. Pathology has prominently contributed to move the clinical and research attention from the arterial lumen stenosis and angiography to morphological and functional imaging techniques. Evidence from large and prospective cohort or randomized controlled studies is still modest. Nevertheless, several emerging imaging investigations represent a potential tool for a comprehensive "in vivo" evaluation of the entire natural history of peripheral atherosclerosis. This constitutes a demanding assignment, as it would be desirable to obtain both single-lesion focused and extensive arterial system views to achieve the most accurate prognostic information. Our narrative review rests upon the fundamental pathological evidence, summarizing the rapidly growing field of imaging of atherosclerosis in peripheral arteries and presenting a selection of both currently available and emerging imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Cattaneo
- 1 Cardiovascular Medicine Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Wyttenbach
- 2 Radiology Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,3 University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Corti
- 4 Cardiology Department, HerzKlinik Hirslanden, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Staub
- 5 Angiology Department, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Augusto Gallino
- 1 Cardiovascular Medicine Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,6 University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Ball S, Rogers S, Kanesalingam K, Taylor R, Katsogridakis E, McCollum C. Carotid plaque volume in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Br J Surg 2018; 105:262-269. [PMID: 29315509 PMCID: PMC5873399 DOI: 10.1002/bjs.10670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main indication for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is severity of carotid artery stenosis, even though most strokes in carotid disease are embolic. The relationship between carotid plaque volume (CPV) and symptoms of cerebral ischaemia, and the measurement of CPV by minimally invasive tomographic ultrasound imaging, were investigated. METHODS The volume of the endarterectomy specimen was measured using a validated saline suspension technique in patients undergoing CEA. Time from last symptom and severity of stenosis measured by duplex ultrasonography were recorded. Middle cerebral artery emboli were counted using transcranial Doppler imaging (TCD) in a subset of patients. RESULTS Some 339 patients were included, 270 with symptomatic and 69 with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Mean(s.d.) CPV was higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients (0·97(0·43) versus 0.74(0·41) cm3 ; P < 0·001). CPV did not correlate with severity of carotid stenosis (P = 0·770). Mean CPV was highest at 1·03(0·46) cm3 in the 4 weeks following cerebral symptoms, declining to 0·78(0·36) cm3 beyond 8 weeks. Among 33 patients who had TCD, mean CPV was 1·00(0·48) cm3 in the 27 patients with ipsilateral cerebral emboli compared with 0·67(0·16) cm3 in those without (P = 0·142). There was excellent correlation between CPV measured by tomographic ultrasound imaging and the endarterectomy specimen in 34 patients (r = 0·93, P < 0·001). CONCLUSION CPV correlated with symptoms of cerebral ischaemia, but not carotid stenosis. It could be a potential indicator for CEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ball
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - S Rogers
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Independent Vascular Services Ltd, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - K Kanesalingam
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - R Taylor
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - E Katsogridakis
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - C McCollum
- Academic Surgery Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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22
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Sun R, Wang L, Guan C, Cao W, Tian B. Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Features in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. World Neurosurg 2018; 112:e223-e228. [PMID: 29325936 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the carotid atherosclerotic plaque features in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS A total of 288 patients meeting the included criteria were enrolled and divided into an ulcerated plaque group (n = 139) and a nonulcerated plaque group (n = 149). Patients in the ulcerated plaque group were further subdivided into <50% and ≥50% stenosis groups. Carotid plaque component characteristics including luminal stenosis, carotid plaque volume, hypoechoic plaque volume, and hyperechoic plaque volume were analyzed by color Doppler ultrasound measurement. Associations between ulcerated plaque and carotid plaque features were also evaluated. The relationships among the levels of MMP-9, hs-CRP, and carotid stenosis rate were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The plaque volume, hypoechoic plaque volume, and luminal stenosis in the ulcerated plaque group were higher than that of the nonulcerated plaque group (P < 0.05). Ulcerated plaque was positively associated with luminal stenosis, plaque volume, and hypoechoic plaque volume after adjusting for sex and age. The result remained similar after adjusting for age, sex, and carotid luminal stenosis. The levels of MMP-9 and hs-CRP in the ulcerated plaque group were significantly higher than those of the nonulcerated plaque group (P < 0.01). For the ulcerated plaque group, the higher the carotid stenosis rate, the higher the level of MMP-9 and hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS Higher carotid atherosclerosis plaque volume, hypoechoic plaque volume, and luminal carotid stenosis may be symptoms of ulcerated plaque. Increased MMP-9 and hs-CRP levels could be used as adjunctive therapies of carotid stenosis at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runming Sun
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Linzi District, Affiliated to Binzhou Medical College, Zibo, China.
| | - Lixia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, People's Hospital of Linzi District, Affiliated to Binzhou Medical College, Zibo, China
| | - Cuiling Guan
- Department of Neurology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenyuan Cao
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Linzi District, Affiliated to Binzhou Medical College, Zibo, China
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Ultrasonography, People's Hospital of Linzi District, Affiliated to Binzhou Medical College, Zibo, China
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Zhao X, Hippe DS, Li R, Canton GM, Sui B, Song Y, Li F, Xue Y, Sun J, Yamada K, Hatsukami TS, Xu D, Wang M, Yuan C. Prevalence and Characteristics of Carotid Artery High-Risk Atherosclerotic Plaques in Chinese Patients With Cerebrovascular Symptoms: A Chinese Atherosclerosis Risk Evaluation II Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.117.005831. [PMID: 28862936 PMCID: PMC5586432 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.005831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture is an important source of ischemic stroke. However, the prevalence of high‐risk plaque (HRP) defined as plaques with luminal surface disruption, a lipid‐rich necrotic core occupying >40% of the wall, or intraplaque hemorrhage in Chinese population remains unclear. This study uses carotid magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) to investigate HRP prevalence in carotid arteries of Chinese patients with cerebrovascular symptoms. Methods and Results Patients with cerebral ischemic symptoms in the anterior circulation within 2 weeks and carotid plaque determined by ultrasound were recruited and underwent CMRI. The HRP features were identified and compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic arteries. Receiver‐operating‐characteristic analysis was used to calculate area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) of stenosis and maximum wall thickness for discriminating presence of HRP. In 1047 recruited subjects, HRP detected by CMRI was nearly 1.5 times more prevalent than severe stenosis (≥50%) in this cohort (28% versus 19%, P<0.0001). Approximately two thirds of HRPs were found in arteries with <50% stenosis. The prevalence of HRP in symptomatic carotid arteries was significantly higher than that of the contralateral asymptomatic carotid arteries (23.0% versus 16.4%, P=0.001). Maximum wall thickness was found to be a stronger discriminator than stenosis for HRP (AUC: 0.93 versus 0.81, P<0.0001). Conclusions There are significantly more high‐risk carotid plaques than carotid arteries with ≥50% stenosis in symptomatic Chinese patients. A substantial number of HRPs were found in arteries with lower grade stenosis and maximum wall thickness was a stronger indicator for HRP than luminal stenosis. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT02017756.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Daniel S Hippe
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Rui Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Gador M Canton
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Binbin Sui
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Song
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feiyu Li
- Department of Radiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunjing Xue
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Dongxiang Xu
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Maoxue Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun Yuan
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China .,Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Kirkham EM, Hatsukami TS, Heckbert SR, Sun J, Canton G, Yuan C, Weaver EM. Association between Snoring and High-Risk Carotid Plaque Features. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017; 157:336-344. [PMID: 28695757 PMCID: PMC5940929 DOI: 10.1177/0194599817715634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Previous studies have demonstrated an association between snoring and carotid disease independent of sleep apnea. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between self-reported snoring and high-risk carotid plaque features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that predict stroke. Study Design Cross-sectional. Setting Tertiary care university hospital and affiliated county hospital. Methods We surveyed 133 subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery disease that had been previously evaluated with high-resolution MRI. The survey captured data on self-reported snoring (exposure) and covariates (age, sex, body mass index, and sleep apnea via the STOP-Bang questionnaire). A subset of patients underwent home sleep apnea testing. High-risk carotid plaque features were identified on the high-resolution MRI and included thin/ruptured fibrous cap and intraplaque hemorrhage (outcomes). We quantified the association between snoring and high-risk carotid plaque features with the chi-square test (unadjusted analysis) and multivariate logistic regression adjusting for the covariates. Results Of 133 subjects surveyed, 61 (46%) responded; 32 (52%) reported snoring. Significantly higher proportions of snorers than nonsnorers had a thin/ruptured fibrous cap (56% vs 25%, P = .01) and intraplaque hemorrhage (63% vs 29%, P < .01). In multivariate analysis, snoring was associated with thin/ruptured fibrous cap (odds ratio, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.1-16.6; P = .04) and intraplaque hemorrhage (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% CI, 2.1-31.6; P < .01) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and sleep apnea. Conclusion This pilot study suggests a significant independent association between snoring and high-risk carotid plaque features on MRI. Further study is warranted to confirm these results in a larger cohort of subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Kirkham
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas S Hatsukami
- 2 Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Susan R Heckbert
- 3 Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jie Sun
- 4 Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gador Canton
- 5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chun Yuan
- 4 Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Edward M Weaver
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Wang J, Chen H, Sun J, Hippe DS, Zhang H, Yu S, Cai J, Xie L, Cui B, Yuan C, Zhao X, Yuan W, Liu H. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging of carotid vasa vasorum in relation to coronary and cerebrovascular events. Atherosclerosis 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Imaging atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: evidence for increased prevalence, altered phenotype and a link between systemic and localised plaque inflammation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:827. [PMID: 28400572 PMCID: PMC5429790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00989-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic inflammation is thought to drive increased cardiovascular risk through accelerated atherosclerosis. It may also lead to a more high-risk plaque phenotype. We sought to investigate carotid plaque phenotype in RA patients using Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and Fludeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography(FDG-PET). In this pilot study, RA patients and age/sex-matched controls were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque on ultrasound. Subjects with plaque >2 mm thick underwent DCE-MRI, and a subgroup of patients had FDG-PET. Comparison of MRI findings between groups and correlation between clinical, serological markers and imaging findings was undertaken. 130 patients and 62 controls were recruited. Plaque was more prevalent in the RA group (53.1% vs 37.0%, p = 0.038) and was independently associated with IL6 levels (HR[95%CI]: 2.03 [1.26, 3.26] per quartile). DCE-MRI data were available in 15 patients and 5 controls. Higher prevalence of plaque calcification was noted in RA, despite similar plaque size (73.3% vs 20%, p = 0.04). FDG-PET detected plaque inflammation in 12/13 patients scanned and degree of inflammation correlated with hs-CRP (r = 0.58, p = 0.04). This study confirms increased prevalence of atherosclerosis in RA and provides data to support the hypothesis that patients have a high-risk plaque phenotype.
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Noninvasive characterization of carotid plaque strain. J Vasc Surg 2017; 65:1653-1663. [PMID: 28274754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current risk stratification of internal carotid artery plaques based on diameter-reducing percentage stenosis may be unreliable because ischemic stroke results from plaque disruption with atheroembolization. Biomechanical forces acting on the plaque may render it vulnerable to rupture. The feasibility of ultrasound-based quantification of plaque displacement and strain induced by hemodynamic forces and their relationship to high-risk plaques have not been determined. We studied the feasibility and reliability of carotid plaque strain measurement from clinical B-mode ultrasound images and the relationship of strain to high-risk plaque morphology. METHODS We analyzed carotid ultrasound B-mode cine loops obtained in patients with asymptomatic ≥50% stenosis during routine clinical scanning. Optical flow methods were used to quantify plaque motion and shear strain during the cardiac cycle. The magnitude (maximum absolute shear strain rate [MASSR]) and variability (entropy of shear strain rate [ESSR] and variance of shear strain rate [VSSR]) of strain were combined into a composite shear strain index (SSI), which was assessed for interscan repeatability and correlated with plaque echolucency. RESULTS Nineteen patients (mean age, 70 years) constituting 36 plaques underwent imaging; 37% of patients (n = 7) showed high strain (SSI ≥0.5; MASSR, 2.2; ESSR, 39.7; VSSR, 0.03) in their plaques; the remaining clustered into a low-strain group (SSI <0.5; MASSR, 0.58; ESSR, 21.2; VSSR, 0.002). The area of echolucent morphology was greater in high-strain plaques vs low-strain plaques (28% vs 17%; P = .018). Strain measurements showed low variability on Bland-Altman plots with cluster assignment agreement of 76% on repeated scanning. Two patients developed a stroke during 2 years of follow-up; both demonstrated high SSI (≥0.5) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Carotid plaque strain is reliably computed from routine B-mode imaging using clinical ultrasound machines. High plaque strain correlates with known high-risk echolucent morphology. Strain measurement can complement identification of patients at high risk for plaque disruption and stroke.
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Chițu M, Benedek T, Rat N, Hodas R, Mester A, Benedek A, Bordi L, Benedek I. Low-Density Carotid Plaques and the Risk of Stroke. JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICINE 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/jim-2017-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractIschemic stroke is the second cause of death worldwide, and at least a quarter of all ischemic strokes are associated with carotid atherosclerotic disease, the diagnosis of which relies primarily on imaging methods. Traditional risk assessment in carotid atherosclerotic disease has long been based on the measurement of stenosis severity, but there is strong evidence that only stenosis grading falls short in predicting near-future events. Moreover, numerous histopathologic studies gathered increasing evidence that plaque vulnerability depends on its composition and morphology, therefore, the new concept of “vulnerable plaque” analysis is necessary, independent of the carotid narrowing. Follow-up studies concluded that the presence of a large-lipid necrotic core and thin fibrous cap are significantly more likely to result in future ischemic events and thereby are hallmarks for unstable lesions. Under these conditions, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) characterization of specific plaque properties can provide additional information on ischemic stroke risk that are not provided by the simple measurement of luminal stenosis. Therefore, besides the stenosis degree, plaque morphology assessment using noninvasive methods could be useful to identify rupture-prone plaques and may be a suitable prognosis tool that will help improve risk stratification and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies.
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Zhao X, Li R, Hippe DS, Hatsukami TS, Yuan C. Chinese Atherosclerosis Risk Evaluation (CARE II) study: a novel cross-sectional, multicentre study of the prevalence of high-risk atherosclerotic carotid plaque in Chinese patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular events-design and rationale. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2017; 2:15-20. [PMID: 28959486 PMCID: PMC5435211 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2016-000053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is identified as one of the main sources of ischaemic stroke. However, the prevalence of carotid high-risk atherosclerotic plaque in Chinese patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular events has been inconsistently reported and needs to be investigated in a large population. Objectives The primary objective of CARE II study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of high-risk features of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries in Chinese patients with recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemia attack (TIA). The relationship between carotid plaque features and cerebral infarcts, the differences of carotid plaque patterns among different regions of China and the gender specific characteristics of carotid plaque will be also determined. Study design The CARE II study will enrol 1000 patients with recent ischaemic stroke or TIA and carotid plaque from 13 hospitals and medical centres across China. In this cross-sectional, non-randomised, observational, multicentre study, all patients will undergo carotid artery MRI of bilateral carotid arteries and routine brain MRI with standardised protocols. The MRI will be interpreted at core reading centres to evaluate the characteristics of morphology and compositions of carotid plaque. Conclusions This is a cross-sectional, multicentre study to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of high-risk atherosclerotic carotid plaque in Chinese patients with stroke and TIA by using high-resolution MRI of vessel wall. This trial is sufficiently powered to demonstrate the prevalence of carotid high-risk plaque and to explore regional differences in Chinese patients who suffered stroke. Trial registration number NCT02017756.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihai Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Daniel S Hippe
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas S Hatsukami
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Wang X, Sun J, Zhao X, Hippe DS, Hatsukami TS, Liu J, Li R, Canton G, Song Y, Yuan C. Ipsilateral plaques display higher T1 signals than contralateral plaques in recently symptomatic patients with bilateral carotid intraplaque hemorrhage. Atherosclerosis 2017; 257:78-85. [PMID: 28110259 PMCID: PMC5325786 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Prospective studies have shown a strong association between carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cerebrovascular ischemic events. However, IPH is also observed in a substantial number of asymptomatic patients. We hypothesized that there are differences in the characteristics of IPH+ plaques associated with recent symptoms, compared to IPH+ plaques not associated with recent symptoms. METHODS Patients with recent (≤2 weeks) anterior circulation ischemic events were scanned using a standardized multisequence protocol. Those showing IPH bilaterally were included and analyzed for differences in T1/T2 signals, plaque morphology, and coexisting plaque characteristics between the ipsilateral symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic sides. RESULTS Thirty-one subjects (67 ± 9 years, 97% males) with bilateral IPH were studied. Despite comparable luminal stenosis (53 ± 42% vs. 53 ± 39%, p = 0.99), T1 signal of IPH measured as signal-intensity-ratio compared to muscle was stronger (SIRIPH-to-muscle: 5.8 ± 2.4 vs. 4.7 ± 1.8, p = 0.004) and tended to be more extensively distributed (IPH volume: 150 ± 199 vs. 88 ± 106 mm3, p = 0.071) on the symptomatic side. IPH+ plaques on the symptomatic side were longer (24 ± 6 vs. 21 ± 7 mm, p = 0.026) and associated with larger necrotic core volume (406 ± 354 vs. 291 ± 293 mm3, p = 0.039) than those on the asymptomatic side. CONCLUSIONS In recently symptomatic patients with bilateral carotid IPH, the symptomatic side showed stronger T1 signals, larger necrotic cores, and longer plaque length than the asymptomatic side. Serial studies on the temporal relationship between these imaging features and clinical events will eventually establish their diagnostic and prognostic value beyond the mere presence of IPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianling Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Daniel S Hippe
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Jin Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Gador Canton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yan Song
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Cao Y, Sun Y, Zhou B, Zhao H, Zhu Y, Xu J, Liu X. Atherosclerotic plaque burden of middle cerebral artery and extracranial carotid artery characterized by MRI in patients with acute ischemic stroke in China: association and clinical relevance. Neurol Res 2017; 39:344-350. [PMID: 28136710 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2017.1281196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to compare the atherosclerotic plaque burden between middle cerebral artery (MCA) and extracranial carotid artery (ECA) in ischemic stroke patients using high-resolution, black-blood (HR BB) MRI and to investigate the relationship between plaque burden found in both arteries and stroke severity. METHODS All subjects with recent ischemic stroke underwent MCA and ECA HR BB MRI at 3.0 Tesla. For each artery segment, the thickness, area and signal intensities of plaques were recorded. Plaque burden, as measured by normalized wall index (NWI = wall area/total vessel area × 100%) were calculated. All patients received a clinical stroke severity score as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at the time of admission. RESULTS A total of 65 stroke subjects were included in the final analysis. MCA exhibited significantly greater NWI than the ipsilateral ECA (symptomatic MCA vs. ECA: 58.04 ± 8.19 vs. 37.53 ± 10.25, p < 0.001; asymptomatic MCA vs. ECA: 53.80 ± 4.49 vs. 34.85 ± 4.27, p < 0.001, respectively). NWI in symptomatic MCA and ECA were significantly associated with NIHSS scores (r = 0.779 vs. 0.645; p < 0.001 respectively). Moreover, stronger statistical correlations between NIHSS scores and NWI were found in MCA, as compared with ECA during multivariate linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION Greater atherosclerotic plaque burden and a closer association with stroke severity were found for the MCA as compared to the ipsilateral ECA. Identification of MCA plaque lesions by MRI may be helpful for developing more aggressive strategies for stroke prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Cao
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Yi Sun
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Bin Zhou
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Huilin Zhao
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Ying Zhu
- b Department of Neurology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Jianrong Xu
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Xiaosheng Liu
- a Department of Radiology , Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
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Relationship between Framingham risk score and subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid plaques: an in vivo study using multi-contrast MRI. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2017; 60:23-27. [PMID: 28078510 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The assessment and management of early-stage atherosclerosis are important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we used multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the carotid plaque feature in asymptomatic, at-risk subjects; we also evaluated the correlation between MRI findings and Framingham risk score (FRS). One hundred sixty-six asymptomatic individuals with risk factors for CVD underwent multi-contrast MRI. After the arterial morphology and plaque components were outlined, the differences in carotid plaque burden among the various risk categories were analyzed. The FRS analysis showed that high-risk individuals had thicker vessel wall and higher plaque lipid content than did low risk participants. A substantial proportion of advanced carotid plaques occurred in low and intermediate-risk groups. Multi-contrast MRI may provide incremental value to the FRS in managing asymptomatic at-risk population.
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Alagoz AN, Acar BA, Acar T, Karacan A, Demiryürek BE. Relationship Between Carotid Stenosis and Infarct Volume in Ischemic Stroke Patients. Med Sci Monit 2016; 22:4954-4959. [PMID: 27984560 PMCID: PMC5189723 DOI: 10.12659/msm.898112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stroke is a serious health problem all over the world. Ischemia causes 85% of strokes and 75% of these ischemic strokes occur within the area supplied by the internal carotid artery (ICA). Material/Methods This study included 47 acute stroke patients who were in the large-artery atherosclerosis group according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification and who had an infarct in the area supplied by the internal carotid artery. We sought to determine whether there was a significant correlation between the infarct volume of the patients as measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI), their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and degree of carotid stenosis as identified by carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA). Results A significant correlation was observed between the percentage of carotid artery stenosis and infarct volume (p<0.001). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the NIHSS and infarct volume; the correlation was of moderate strength (r=0.366, p=0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicate that the percentage of carotid artery stenosis could be useful in predicting the infarct volume of the stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Türkan Acar
- Department of Neurology, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Alper Karacan
- Department of Radiology, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
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Opriessnig P, Mangge H, Stollberger R, Deutschmann H, Reishofer G. In vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance of 2D vessel wall diffusion anisotropy in carotid arteries. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2016; 18:81. [PMID: 27876066 PMCID: PMC5120527 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-016-0304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion weighted (DW) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has shown great potential to discriminate between healthy and diseased vessel tissue by evaluating the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) along the arterial axis. Recently, ex vivo studies on porcine arteries utilizing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed a circumferential fiber orientation rather than an organization in axial direction, suggesting dominant diffusion perpendicular to the slice direction. In the present study, we propose a method to access tangential and radial diffusion of carotids in vivo by utilizing a pulse sequence that enables high resolution DW imaging in combination with a two-dimensional (2D) diffusion gradient direction sampling scheme perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the artery. METHODS High resolution DTI of 12 healthy male volunteers (age: 25-60 years) was performed on one selected axial slice using a read-out segmented EPI (rs-EPI) sequence on a 3T MR scanner. RESULTS It was found consistently for all 12 volunteers, that the tangential component as the principle direction of diffusion. Mean vessel wall fractional anisotropy (FA) values ranged from 0.7 for the youngest to 0.56 for the oldest participant. Linear regression analysis between the FA values and volunteers age revealed a highly significant (P < 0.01) linear relationship with an adjusted R2 of 0.52. In addition, a linear trend (P < 0.1) could be observed between radial diffusivity (RD) and age. CONCLUSION These results point to FA being a sensitive parameter able to capture changes in the vascular architecture with age. In detail, the data demonstrate a decrease in FA with advancing age indicating possible alterations of tissue microstructural integrity. Moreover, analyzing 2D diffusion tensor directions is sufficient and applicable in a clinical setup concerning the overall scan time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Opriessnig
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnosis, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Harald Mangge
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnosis, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, A-8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Stollberger
- Institute of Medical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 16/III, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Hannes Deutschmann
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Gernot Reishofer
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, A-8036 Graz, Austria
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Sun J, Hatsukami TS. Plaque Imaging to Decide on Optimal Treatment: Medical Versus Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Carotid Artery Stenting. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 2016; 26:165-73. [PMID: 26610667 DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many of the current guidelines for the management of carotid atherosclerosis are based on clinical trial findings published more than 2 decades ago. The lack of plaque information in clinical decision making represents a major shortcoming and highlights the need for contemporary trials based on characteristics of the atherosclerotic lesion itself, rather than luminal stenosis alone. This article summarizes the major dilemmas clinicians face in current practice, and discusses the rationale and evidence that plaque imaging may help to address these challenges and optimize the clinical management of carotid artery disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Thomas S Hatsukami
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Gasbarrino K, Mantzoros C, Gorgui J, Veinot JP, Lai C, Daskalopoulou SS. Circulating Chemerin Is Associated With Carotid Plaque Instability, Whereas Resistin Is Related to Cerebrovascular Symptomatology. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2016; 36:1670-8. [PMID: 27312219 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.306741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The rupture of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques is one of the main causes of cerebrovascular ischemic events. There is need for circulating markers that can predict plaque instability and risk of stroke. Proinflammatory chemerin, leptin, and resistin, along with anti-inflammatory adiponectin, are adipokines with direct influence on vascular function. We investigated the association of circulating adipokines with carotid plaque instability and cerebrovascular symptomatology. APPROACH AND RESULTS Neurologically symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (n=165) scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were recruited. Fasting blood samples were collected preoperatively; adiponectin and leptin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay; and chemerin and resistin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The instability of plaque specimens was assessed using gold-standard histological classifications. Chemerin was significantly associated with plaque instability. The fully adjusted model, accounting for age, sex, body mass index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and circulating adiponectin, leptin, and resistin, yielded an odds ratio of 0.991 (95% confidence interval 0.985-0.998) for plaque instability per unit increase in chemerin. High leptin levels were significantly associated with presence of specific features of plaque instability. In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, resistin levels were significantly elevated in symptomatic when compared with asymptomatic subjects (P=0.001) and increased the risk of cerebrovascular symptomatology (adjusted odds ratio 1.264, 95% confidence interval 1.004-1.594). CONCLUSIONS Low chemerin and high resistin levels were associated with carotid disease severity, suggesting that these adipokines may act as potential markers for plaque instability and stroke risk. Future studies are needed to assess causation between circulating adipokines and plaque instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Gasbarrino
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Christos Mantzoros
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Jessica Gorgui
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - John P Veinot
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Chi Lai
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.)
| | - Stella S Daskalopoulou
- From the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (K.G., J.G., S.S.D.); Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (C.M.); and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (J.P.V., C.L.).
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Arbustini E, Kodama T, Favalli V. Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer and Angioneogenesis: Good for Cancer, Bad for Carotids? JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2016; 9:676-9. [PMID: 27209104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2015.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Arbustini
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Takahide Kodama
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Cardiovascular Center, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Valentina Favalli
- Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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Li F, Wang X. Bilateral symmetry of human carotid artery atherosclerosis: a multi-contrast weighted MR study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2016; 32:1219-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-016-0890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Muraki M, Mikami T, Yoshimoto T, Fujimoto S, Kitaguchi M, Kaga S, Sugawara T, Tokuda K, Kaneko S, Kashiwaba T. Sonographic Detection of Abnormal Plaque Motion of the Carotid Artery: Its Usefulness in Diagnosing High-Risk Lesions Ranging from Plaque Rupture to Ulcer Formation. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:358-364. [PMID: 26589531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the feasibility of using sonography of abnormal plaque motion to diagnose high-risk carotid lesions ranging from plaque rupture to ulcer formation. Fifty consecutive carotid arteries of 49 patients (71 ± 7 y, 37 males) who underwent carotid endarterectomy were investigated by carotid sonography to find a plaque concavity (sonographic ulcer [SU]), fine trembling motion inside the plaque (FTMI) and systolic retractive motion of the plaque surface (SRMS). Plaque rupture or ulcer, necrotic core and intra-plaque hemorrhage were determined at carotid endarterectomy. Twenty-two SUs, 41 cases of FTMI and 20 cases of SRMS were detected by carotid sonography. The sensitivity and specificity of SU in diagnosing plaque rupture or ulcer at carotid endarterectomy were 48% and 90%, and those of FTMI were 93% and 60%. Plaques with SRMS more frequently had both a necrotic core and intra-plaque hemorrhage than those without SRMS (80% vs. 30%, p = 0.0005). Abnormal plaque motion detected by carotid sonography is useful in detecting a ruptured or ulcerated plaque with a necrotic core and/or hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutsuko Muraki
- Sonographic Laboratory, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Taisei Mikami
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
| | | | - Shin Fujimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kitaguchi
- Sonographic Laboratory, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sanae Kaga
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Sugawara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kouichi Tokuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sadao Kaneko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kashiwaba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kashiwaba Neurosurgery Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
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Huang C, Pan X, He Q, Huang M, Huang L, Zhao X, Yuan C, Bai J, Luo J. Ultrasound-Based Carotid Elastography for Detection of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques Validated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2016; 42:365-377. [PMID: 26553205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasound-based carotid elastography has been developed to estimate the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic plaques. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo capability of carotid elastography in vulnerable plaque detection using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging as reference. Ultrasound radiofrequency data of 46 carotid plaques from 29 patients (74 ± 5 y old) were acquired and inter-frame axial strain was estimated with an optical flow method. The maximum value of absolute strain rate for each plaque was derived as an indicator for plaque classification. Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid arteries was performed on the same patients to classify the plaques into stable and vulnerable groups for carotid elastography validation. The maximum value of absolute strain rate was found to be significantly higher in vulnerable plaques (2.15 ± 0.79 s(-1), n = 27) than in stable plaques (1.21 ± 0.37 s(-1), n = 19) (p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed, and the area under the curve was 0.848. Therefore, the in vivo capability of carotid elastography to detect vulnerable plaques, validated by magnetic resonance imaging, was proven, revealing the potential of carotid elastography as an important tool in atherosclerosis assessment and stroke prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengwu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochang Pan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Manwei Huang
- Department of Sonography, China Meitan General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingyun Huang
- Clinical Sites Research Program, Philips Research China, Shanghai, China
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jing Bai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwen Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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Abstract
Plaque imaging by MR imaging provides a wealth of information on the characteristics of individual plaque that may reveal vulnerability to rupture, likelihood of progression, or optimal treatment strategy. T1-weighted and T2-weighted images among other options reveal plaque morphology and composition. Dynamic contrast-enhanced-MR imaging reveals plaque activity. To extract this information, image processing tools are needed. Numerous approaches for analyzing such images have been developed, validated against histologic gold standards, and used in clinical studies. These efforts are summarized in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Room No. 109, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Room No. 120, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - William Kerwin
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Pham TA, Hua N, Phinikaridou A, Killiany R, Hamilton J. Early in vivo discrimination of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques that disrupt: A serial MRI study. Atherosclerosis 2015; 244:101-7. [PMID: 26606442 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS MRI has been validated as a suitable imaging modality for in vivo, non-invasive detection of atherosclerosis and has provided quantitative predictors of high-risk plaque. Here, we apply serial MRI to monitor the natural progression of plaques over a 3-month period in a rabbit model of atherothrombosis to determine differences over time between plaques that ultimately disrupt to form a luminal mural thrombus and plaques that remain stable. METHODS Atherosclerotic plaques were induced in 12 male New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits by aortic endothelial injury and a 1% cholesterol diet. The rabbits were imaged 5 times: at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months, and 48hr after pharmacological triggering for plaque disruption. RESULTS Starting at 2 months, plaques that disrupted after triggering exhibited a higher remodeling ratio (RR, 1.05 ± 0.11 vs 0.97 ± 0.10, p = 0.0002) and a larger vessel wall area (VWA, 6.99 ± 1.54 mm(2) vs 6.30 ± 1.37 mm(2), p = 0.0072) than the stable non-disrupted plaques. The same trends were observed at 3 months: plaques that disrupted had a higher RR (1.04 ± 0.02 vs 0.99 ± 0.01, p = 0.0209), VWA (8.19 ± 2.69 mm(2) vs 6.81 ± 1.60 mm(2), p = 0.0001), and increased gadolinium uptake (75.51 ± 13.77% for disrupted vs 31.02 ± 6.45% for non-disrupted, p = 0.0022). CONCLUSIONS MR images of plaques that disrupted revealed larger VWAs, RRs, and increased gadolinium uptake at 2 months and continued progression of these vulnerable features between 2 and 3 months. Non-disrupted plaques had an independent history without these hallmarks of vulnerability. Our results show that MRI can provide early detection of plaques at a higher-risk for luminal thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan A Pham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ning Hua
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald Killiany
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Hamilton
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hua N, Baik F, Pham T, Phinikaridou A, Giordano N, Friedman B, Whitney M, Nguyen QT, Tsien RY, Hamilton JA. Identification of High-Risk Plaques by MRI and Fluorescence Imaging in a Rabbit Model of Atherothrombosis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139833. [PMID: 26448434 PMCID: PMC4598148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The detection of atherosclerotic plaques at risk for disruption will be greatly enhanced by molecular probes that target vessel wall biomarkers. Here, we test if fluorescently-labeled Activatable Cell Penetrating Peptides (ACPPs) could differentiate stable plaques from vulnerable plaques that disrupt, forming a luminal thrombus. Additionally, we test the efficacy of a combined ACPP and MRI technique for identifying plaques at high risk of rupture. Methods and Results In an atherothrombotic rabbit model, disrupted plaques were identified with in vivo MRI and co-registered in the same rabbit aorta with the in vivo uptake of ACPPs, cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) or thrombin. ACPP uptake, mapped ex vivo in whole aortas, was higher in disrupted compared to non-disrupted plaques. Specifically, disrupted plaques demonstrated a 4.5~5.0 fold increase in fluorescence enhancement, while non-disrupted plaques showed only a 2.2~2.5 fold signal increase. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicates that both ACPPs (MMP and thrombin) show high specificity (84.2% and 83.2%) and sensitivity (80.0% and 85.7%) in detecting disrupted plaques. The detection power of ACPPs was improved when combined with the MRI derived measure, outward remodeling ratio. Conclusions Our targeted fluorescence ACPP probes distinguished disrupted plaques from stable plaques with high sensitivity and specificity. The combination of anatomic, MRI-derived predictors for disruption and ACPP uptake can further improve the power for identification of high-risk plaques and suggests future development of ACPPs with molecular MRI as a readout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Hua
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Fred Baik
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Tuan Pham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alkystis Phinikaridou
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Giordano
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Beth Friedman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Whitney
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Quyen T. Nguyen
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Roger Y. Tsien
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - James A. Hamilton
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Effect of Intensive Statin Therapy on Coronary High-Intensity Plaques Detected by Noncontrast T1-Weighted Imaging: The AQUAMARINE Pilot Study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2015; 66:245-256. [PMID: 26184618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2015.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary high-intensity plaques detected by noncontrast T1-weighted imaging may represent plaque instability. High-intensity plaques can be quantitatively assessed by a plaque-to-myocardium signal-intensity ratio (PMR). OBJECTIVES This pilot, hypothesis-generating study sought to investigate whether intensive statin therapy would lower PMR. METHODS Prospective serial noncontrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography were performed in 48 patients with coronary artery disease at baseline and after 12 months of intensive pitavastatin treatment with a target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <80 mg/dl. The control group consisted of coronary artery disease patients not treated with statins that were matched by propensity scoring (n = 48). The primary endpoint was the 12-month change in PMR. Changes in computed tomography angiography parameters and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were analyzed. RESULTS In the statin group, 12 months of statin therapy significantly improved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (125 to 70 mg/dl; p < 0.001), PMR (1.38 to 1.11, an 18.9% reduction; p < 0.001), low-attenuation plaque volume, and the percentage of total atheroma volume on computed tomography. In the control group, the PMR increased significantly (from 1.22 to 1.49, a 19.2% increase; p < 0.001). Changes in PMR were correlated with changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.533; p < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.347; p < 0.001), percentage of atheroma volume (r = 0.477; p < 0.001), and percentage of low-attenuation plaque volume (r = 0.416; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Statin treatment significantly reduced the PMR of high-intensity plaques. Noncontrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging could become a useful technique for repeated quantitative assessment of plaque composition. (Attempts at Plaque Vulnerability Quantification with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Noncontrast T1-weighted Technique [AQUAMARINE]; UMIN000003567).
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Increasing the Spatial Resolution of 3T Carotid MRI Has No Beneficial Effect for Plaque Component Measurement Reproducibility. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130878. [PMID: 26161783 PMCID: PMC4498614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Different in-plane resolutions have been used for carotid 3T MRI. We compared the reproducibility, as well as the within- and between reader variability of high and routinely used spatial resolution in scans of patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease. Since no consensus exists about the optimal segmentation method, we analysed all imaging data using two different segmentation methods. Materials and Methods In 31 patient with carotid atherosclerosis a high (0.25 × 0.25 mm2; HR) and routinely used (0.50 × 0.50 mm2; LR) spatial resolution carotid MRI scan were performed within one month. A fully blinded closed and a simultaneously open segmentation were used to quantify the lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC), calcified and loose matrix (LM) plaque area and the fibrous cap (FC) thickness. Results No significant differences were observed between scan-rescan reproducibility for HR versus LR measurements, nor did we find any significant difference between the within-reader and between-reader reproducibility. The same applies for differences between the open and closed reads. All intraclass correlation coefficients between scans and rescans for the LRNC, calcified and LM plaque area, as well as the FC thickness measurements with the open segmentation method were excellent (all above 0.75). Conclusions Increasing the spatial resolution at the expense of the contrast-to-noise ratio does not improve carotid plaque component scan-rescan reproducibility in patients with atherosclerotic carotid disease, nor does using a different segmentation method.
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Nörenberg D, Ebersberger HU, Diederichs G, Hamm B, Botnar RM, Makowski MR. Molecular magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerotic vessel wall disease. Eur Radiol 2015; 26:910-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3881-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (J.S., C.Y.)
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (J.S., C.Y.)
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