Endovascular treatments of atherosclerotic carotid diseases in China

Carotid Endarterectomy and Stenting in a Chinese Population: Safety Outcome of the Revascularization of Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenosis Trial

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) have been well-established as two effective treatment modalities for carotid artery stenosis, while their clinical outcomes in real-world China are still unknown due to lack of nationwide trials. We aimed to evaluate the safety outcome profile of CEA and CAS in Chinese patients with carotid artery stenosis. The Revascularization of Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenosis trial was a multicentre, prospective cohort study of CEA or CAS in treating patients with carotid artery stenosis. We included symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis (≥ 50%). The primary endpoint was any stroke, myocardial infarction and/or death within 1 month post-procedure. Overall, 2719 cases (1543 CAS-treated patients and 1176 CEA-treated patients) were enrolled from 36 centres. The primary outcome was 4.3% (95% CI 3.2-5.6%) and 4.7% (95%CI 3.5-6.3%) in the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, respectively. No significant difference in the primary outcome was found between CAS and CEA in both symptomatic (p = 0.338) and asymptomatic (p = 0.890) patients. High- versus low-volume centre significantly related to lower rate of primary outcome in CEA-treated patients (OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.19-5.44; p = 0.017) and asymptomatic patients (OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.42-4.54; p = 0.002). CEA and CAS decided by surgeons' discretion have comparable risks among patients with carotid artery stenosis in China. Both CEA and CAS should be avoided in asymptomatic patients until a consistently low complication rate is showed with centre-level audits. Medical treatment for patients with carotid stenosis in China needs to be improved. Trial registration: NCT01994187 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).

Lower levels of plasma adiponectin and endothelial progenitor cells are associated with large artery atherosclerotic stroke

BACKGROUND

Both adiponectin and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been proposed recently with anti-atherosclerosis effects. However, their impacts on vascular outcomes in patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adiponectin, EPCs and stroke with a case-control design.

METHODS

The study cohort included 127 patients (61.3 ± 11.0 years; 73.2% men) with LAA stroke and 58 control subjects (60.9 ± 9.2 years; 70.7% men) referred for adiponectin and EPCs levels testing. We collected demographic, clinical, angiographical features, and laboratory data. Influence of adiponectin and EPCs levels on cerebral atherosclerosis and LAA stroke was analyzed with regression models.

RESULTS

The levels of adiponectin and EPCs in atherosclerotic stroke patients were significantly lower compared with matched controls (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified that reduced levels of adiponectin and EPCs were closely correlated with cerebral atherosclerosis and LAA stroke. The associations remained significant after adjustment for age, sex and other confounders. Additionally, partial correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between adiponectin and three subpopulations of EPCs levels (CD34(+)CD133(+)CD309(+)cells: r = 0.510, p = 0.001; CD34(+) CD133(-)CD309(+)cells: r = 0.262, p = 0.004; CD34(-)CD133(+)CD309(+)cells: r = 0.348, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Adiponectin is positively correlated with EPCs levels, and both of them are independently associated with LAA stroke.

Chinese guidelines for endovascular management of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases

Endovascular technology was initially applied in treating peripheral vascular disease and was further developed in managing coronary artery disease. During the latest two decades, it has been introduced into the arena of cerebrovascular diseases, which has garnered attention and research interests.

Microbleeds in ischemic stroke are associated with lower serum adiponectin and higher soluble E-selectin levels

BACKGROUND

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are the important indicators of cerebral small vessel disease. However, it is still unclear whether endothelial dysfunction is involved in CMBs. In this study, we performed a prospective study to investigate the correlation between sE-selectin (soluble E-selectin) or adiponectin and the prevalence of CMBs.

METHODS

We recruited 133 consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke for this study. Finally, 126 patients were analyzed. The number and presence of CMBs were detected and evaluated on susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging within two weeks after symptom onset. We assessed the serum levels of adiponectin and sE-selectin for patients.

RESULTS

CMBs were detected in 63 subjects (50%) within 126 patients and more prevalent in mixed brain regions (55.6%). In binary logistic regression analysis, each 1SD-increase in adiponectin level was significantly conversely associated with the prevalence of CMBs after adjusting for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.36-0.84); but sE-selectin was significantly positively associated with the prevalence of CMBs (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02-1.15). Furthermore, partial correlation analyses showed that sE-selectin remained significantly associated with and correlated conversely to adiponectin (r = -0.452, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial injury may play a role in the pathogenesis of CMBs, and serum levels of adiponectin and sE-selectin were closely related to CMBs. Adiponectin might be protective for the prevalence of CMBs.

Beyond the time window of intravenous thrombolysis: standing by or by stenting?

Intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 h of symptom onset is presently the 'golden rule' for treating acute ischemic stroke. However, many patients miss the time window and others reject this treatment due to a long list of contraindications. Mechanical embolectomy has recently progressed as a potential alternative for treating patients beyond the time window for IV thrombolysis. In this paper, recent progress in mechanical embolectomy, angioplasty, and stenting in acute stroke is reviewed. Despite worries concerning the long-term clinical outcomes and increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage, favorable clinical outcomes may be achieved after mechanical embolectomy in carefully selected patients even 4.5 h after stroke onset. Potential steps should be prepared and attempted in these patients whose opportunity for recovery will elapse in a flash.

Epidemiology and the global burden of stroke

OBJECTIVE

Stroke remains one of the most devastating of all neurological diseases, often causing death or gross physical impairment or disability. As numerous countries throughout the world undergo the epidemiological transition of diseases, trends in the prevalence of stroke have dramatically changed.

METHODS

All major international epidemiological articles published during the past 20 years addressing the global burden of stroke were reviewed. A focus was placed upon better defining current and future trends in surveillance, incidence, burden of disease, mortality, and costs associated with stroke internationally.

RESULTS

Despite the fact that various surveillance systems are used to identify stroke and its sequela around the world, it is clear that stroke remains one of the top causes of mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost globally. Concerning trends include the increase of stroke mortality and lost DALYs in low- and middle-income countries. The global economic impact of stroke may be dire if effective preventive measures are not implemented to help decrease the burden of this disease.

CONCLUSION

The global burden of stroke is high, inclusive of increasing incidence, mortality, DALYs, and economic impact, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The implementation of better surveillance systems and prevention programs are needed to help track current trends as well as to curb the projected exponential increase in stroke worldwide.