Prognostic value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with ischemic stroke

Vessel Wall Characterization Using Quantitative MR Imaging

MR imaging's exceptional capabilities in vascular imaging stem from its ability to visualize and quantify vessel wall features, such as plaque burden, composition, and biomechanical properties. The application of advanced MR imaging techniques, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional black-blood MR imaging, T1 and T2 relaxometry, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, wall shear stress, and arterial stiffness, empowers clinicians and researchers to explore the intricacies of vascular diseases. This array of techniques provides comprehensive insights into the development and progression of vascular pathologies, facilitating earlier diagnosis, targeted treatment, and improved patient outcomes in the management of vascular health.

Relationship Between Hypertension and Basilar Atherosclerosis in Chinese Han Population: A High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Objective

To investigate the relationship between hypertension and basilar atherosclerosis evaluated by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

High resolution-MRI vessel wall imaging was performed in selected 193 patients for various indications. Multivariable logistic regression models based on odds ratio (OR) with their associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the relationship between hypertension and basilar artery (BA) plaque, moderate or severe stenosis of BA plaque, and vulnerable plaque. A linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between hypertension and BA plaque numbers.

Results

Patients with hypertension had a higher proportion of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque as well as more number of enhancements of BA plaque and serious plaque compared with normotensive patients (all values of p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with hypertension had an increased risk for and more number of enhancements of BA plaque (adjusted-OR: 4.32, 95% CI 1.89–9.88, p < 0.001; adjusted-β: 0.55, 95% CI 0.14–0.96, p = 0.009, respectively) and had a higher proportion of moderate or severe stenosis of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque (adjusted-OR: 3.08, 95% CI 0.77–12.32, p = 0.111; adjusted-OR: 4.52, 95% CI 1.50–13.64, p = 0.007, respectively) compared with the normotensive group. Moreover, there was a saturation effect of age on the prevalence of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque.

Conclusion

Hypertension was the independent risk factor of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque assessed by HR-MRI in the Chinese Han population.

Value of superb micro-vascular imaging in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND

Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are prone to cause ischemic stroke. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is the primary method of assessing plaque stability, but CEUS cannot be a method for screening for unstable plaque. The emergence of superb micro-vascular imaging (SMI) offers the possibility of clinically screening for unstable plaque

AIM

To investigate the value of SMI in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODS

Patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques (luminal stenosis of 50%-70%) were enrolled into the present study. All patients received conservative medication. The patient's clinical baseline data, serological data, CEUS and SMI data were analyzed. All patients underwent a 3-year follow-up. The follow-up endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke and patients were divided into stroke group and non-stroke group according to whether the prognosis occurred or not. Subsequently, the difference in clinical data was compared, the correlation of SMI and CEUS was analyzed, and multiple Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to investigate the value of SMI and CEUS in predicting cerebral arterial thrombosis in three years.

RESULTS

In this study, 43 patients were enrolled in the stroke group and 82 patients were enrolled in the non-stroke group. Cox regression revealed that SMI level (P = 0.013) and enhancement intensity (P = 0.032) were the independent factors influencing ischemic stroke. There was a positive correlation between SMI level and enhancement intensity (r = 0.737, P = 0.000). The area under curve of SMI level predicting ischemic stroke was 0.878. The best diagnostic point was ≥ level II, and its sensitivity and specificity was 86.05% and 79.27%. The area under curve of enhancement intensity predicting ischemic stroke was 0.890. The best diagnostic point was 9.92 db, and its sensitivity and specificity was 88.37% and 89.02%. As the SMI level gradually increased, the incidence of ischemic stroke increased gradually (X² = 108.931, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

SMI can be used as a non-invasive method of screening for unstable plaques and may help prevent ischemic stroke.

Antihypertensive and vasoprotective effectiveness of the chronopharmacotherapy in patients with arterial hypertension after acute cerebrovascular accident

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of combined antihypertensive chronopharmacotherapy and estimate the daily blood pressure profle (BP) parameters, such as: stiffness of the vascular wall and central aortic pressure in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) who underwent transient ischemic atack (TIA) or ischemic stroke (IS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

235 patients with hypertension who underwent acute cerebrovascular accident were examined. Tere were 116 patients with TIA and 119 with IS. All patients were randomized in 4 groups according to regimen of antihypertensive drugs combination. Te 1st group (n = 59) included patients with AH, who underwent TIA and received indapamide retard 1.5 mg and valsartan 160 mg in the morning regiment of drug therapy. Te 2nd group (n = 57) included patients with AH, who underwent TIA and received indapamide retard 1.5 mg in the morning and valsartan 80 mg twice a day (morning and evening). Te 3rd group (n = 47) included patients with AH, who underwent IS and received indapamide retard 1.5 mg and valsartan at a dose of 160 mg in the morning. Te 4th group (n = 56) included patients with AH, who underwent IS and received indapamide retard 1.5 mg in the morning and valsartan 80 mg twice a day (morning and evening). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), central aortic pressure (CAP) measurement and vessel wall stiffness values were evaluated before treatment and afer 12 months of therapy.

RESULTS

Before the start of combined antihypertensive chronopharmacotherapy, most of the parameters for ABPM, vessel wall stiffness values and CAP in groups 1 and 2, 3 and 4 were comparable. Achievement of the target level of BP afer 8 weeks of treatment, was signifcantly more ofen in groups with a double sartan therapy (group 2 and group 4) in compare with its single time application only in the morning hours (group 1 and group 3) (p&lt;0.05). Statistically signifcant positive dynamics of the main values of the daily profle of blood pressure, stiffness of the vascular wall and central aortic pressure (p &lt;0,05) were registered in all groups. However, more pronounced decline of main parameters of ABPM, stiffness of the vascular wall and central aortic pressure values were noted in group with double use sartan therapy in compare with single time sartan therapy in the morning time. (p &lt;0.05). Signifcant positive dynamics of the main values of the ABPM, stiffness of the vascular wall and CAP were registered in patients who underwent IS and received double application sartan therapy (4th group) in compare with patients with TIA (2nd group) (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Double use sartan therapy, combined with a thiazide diuretics in patients, who underwent IS or TIA more ofen promotes to get target values of blood pressure, improve the main values of the ABPM, stiffness of the vascular wall and CAP in compare with single time sartan therapy in the morning time.

COMPARISON OF INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS REGIMENS OF DRUG INTAKE ON 24 HOUR bLOOD PRESSURE, CENTRAL AORTIC PRESSURE AND VASCULAR WALL STIFFNESS IN SYSTEMIC HYPERTENSION PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Aim. To assess and compare the efficacy of combination antihypertension drugs influence with various dosage regimens during 24 hour, on the parameters of daily blood pressure (BP) profile, central aortic pressure (CAP) and vessel wall stiffness in arterial hypertension (AH) patients with ischemic stroke (IS).

Material and methods. To the study, 177 AH patients included, with IS within last 4 weeks. All patients were randomized to 3 groups depending on the regimen of antihypertensive drugs combination intake during 24 hours. At baseline and in 12 months of therapy all patients underwent 24 hour BP monitoring (ABPM), CAP measurement and vessel wall stiffness evaluation.

Results. In 8 weeks of antihypertension therapy, target pressure level achievement was significantly more common in b. i.d. valsartan (group 3) comparing to once daily in the morning (group 1) or evening (group 2) (p<0,05). In all groups there were statistically significant positive changes in ABPM, CAP and stiffness. Also, in the group 2 there was significantly (p<0,05) more prominent decrease of the main ABPM, CAP and stiffness parameters than in the group 1. Valsartan b. i.d. led to significantly more prominent (p<0,05) improvement of the main ABPM, CAP and stiffness parameters improvement comparing to both variants of its once daily regimens. In 12 months of chronopharmacotherapy, in all groups, there was significant (p<0,05) increase of “dipper” 24 hour BP profile patients. Differences of the groups of “dippers” and “non-dippers” by the 12th month of treatment were significant for 3rd and 1st (p=0,0004), 3rd and 2nd (p=0,04) groups with the benefit for group 3.

Conclusion. Two times a day or only evening intake of valsartan with thiazidelike diuretic in the morning facilitated more significant improvement of the main parameters of ABPM, CAP and vascular wall rigidity comparing to just morning intake. B.i.d. valsartan regimen led to significantly (p<0,05) more commonly reached target BP level, improved normalization of 24 hour BP in most of patients, led to more significant improvement of the main ABPM, CAP and vascular stiffness parameters comparing to once daily morning or evening regimen.