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Carotid Artery Disease in the Era of Biomarkers: A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13040644. [PMID: 36832132 PMCID: PMC9954896 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13040644] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The intima-media thickness (IMT) and its irregularities or ulcerations in the common carotid artery (CCA) are useful tools as sentinel biomarkers for the integrity of the cardiovascular system. Total homocysteine and lipoprotein levels are the most commonly used elements in cardiovascular risk stratification. Duplex ultrasound (DUS), associated with serum biomarkers, can be used simply to assess the degree of atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular risk. This study highlights the role of different kinds of biomarkers, showing their usefulness and potentiality in multi-district atherosclerotic patients, especially for early diagnosis and therapy effectiveness monitoring. A retrospective analysis performed from September 2021 to August 2022, of patients with carotid artery disease, was performed. A total of 341 patients with a mean age of 53.8 years were included in the study. The outcomes showed an increased risk of stroke in patients with significative carotid artery disease, nonresponsive to therapy, monitored through a series of serum biomarkers (homocysteine, C-reactive protein, and oxidized LDL). In this reported experience, the systematic use of DUS in association with the multiple biomarkers approach was effective for the early identification of patients at higher risk of disease progression or inefficient therapy.
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dos Santos DS, Fool F, Mozaffarzadeh M, Shabanimotlagh M, Noothout E, Kim T, Rozsa N, Vos HJ, Bosch JG, Pertijs MAP, Verweij MD, de Jong N. A Tiled Ultrasound Matrix Transducer for Volumetric Imaging of the Carotid Artery. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:9799. [PMID: 36560168 PMCID: PMC9784751 DOI: 10.3390/s22249799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
High frame rate three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging would offer excellent possibilities for the accurate assessment of carotid artery diseases. This calls for a matrix transducer with a large aperture and a vast number of elements. Such a matrix transducer should be interfaced with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for channel reduction. However, the fabrication of such a transducer integrated with one very large ASIC is very challenging and expensive. In this study, we develop a prototype matrix transducer mounted on top of multiple identical ASICs in a tiled configuration. The matrix was designed to have 7680 piezoelectric elements with a pitch of 300 μm × 150 μm integrated with an array of 8 × 1 tiled ASICs. The performance of the prototype is characterized by a series of measurements. The transducer exhibits a uniform behavior with the majority of the elements working within the -6 dB sensitivity range. In transmit, the individual elements show a center frequency of 7.5 MHz, a -6 dB bandwidth of 45%, and a transmit efficiency of 30 Pa/V at 200 mm. In receive, the dynamic range is 81 dB, and the minimum detectable pressure is 60 Pa per element. To demonstrate the imaging capabilities, we acquired 3D images using a commercial wire phantom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djalma Simões dos Santos
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Fabian Fool
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Moein Mozaffarzadeh
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Maysam Shabanimotlagh
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Emile Noothout
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Taehoon Kim
- Electronic Instrumentation Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Nuriel Rozsa
- Electronic Instrumentation Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik J. Vos
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan G. Bosch
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel A. P. Pertijs
- Electronic Instrumentation Laboratory, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Martin D. Verweij
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nico de Jong
- Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Marchese P, Lombardi M, Mantione ME, Baccellieri D, Ferrara D, Chiesa R, Alfieri O, Foglieni C. Confocal Blood Flow Videomicroscopy of Thrombus Formation over Human Arteries and Local Targeting of P2X7. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084066. [PMID: 33920051 PMCID: PMC8071050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherothrombosis exposes vascular components to blood. Currently, new antithrombotic therapies are emerging. Herein we investigated thrombogenesis of human arteries with/without atherosclerosis, and the interaction of coagulation and vascular components, we and explored the anti-thrombogenic efficacy of blockade of the P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7). A confocal blood flow videomicroscopy system was performed on cryosections of internal mammary artery (IMA) or carotid plaque (CPL) determining/localizing platelets and fibrin. Blood from healthy donors elicited thrombi over arterial layers. Confocal microscopy associated thrombus with tissue presence of collagen type I, laminin, fibrin(ogen) and tissue factor (TF). The addition of antibodies blocking TF (aTF) or factor XI (aFXI) to blood significantly reduced fibrin deposition, variable platelet aggregation and aTF + aFXI almost abolished thrombus formation, showing synergy between coagulation pathways. A scarce effect of aTF over sub-endothelial regions, more abundant in tissue TF and bundles of laminin and collagen type I than deep intima, may suggest tissue thrombogenicity as molecular structure-related. Consistently with TF-related vascular function and expression of P2X7, the sections from CPL but not IMA tissue cultures pre-treated with the P2X7 antagonist A740003 demonstrated poor thrombogenesis in flow experiments. These data hint to local targeting studies on P2X7 modulation for atherothrombosis prevention/therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Marchese
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Maria Lombardi
- Myocardial Diseases and Atherosclerosis Unit, Cardiovascular Research Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.L.); (M.E.M.)
| | - Maria Elena Mantione
- Myocardial Diseases and Atherosclerosis Unit, Cardiovascular Research Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.L.); (M.E.M.)
| | - Domenico Baccellieri
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (D.B.); (D.F.); (R.C.); (O.A.)
| | - David Ferrara
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (D.B.); (D.F.); (R.C.); (O.A.)
| | - Roberto Chiesa
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (D.B.); (D.F.); (R.C.); (O.A.)
| | - Ottavio Alfieri
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (D.B.); (D.F.); (R.C.); (O.A.)
| | - Chiara Foglieni
- Myocardial Diseases and Atherosclerosis Unit, Cardiovascular Research Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute IRCCS, Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy; (M.L.); (M.E.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-26434570
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Strecker C, Krafft AJ, Kaufhold L, Hüllebrandt M, Weber S, Ludwig U, Wolkewitz M, Hennemuth A, Hennig J, Harloff A. Carotid geometry is an independent predictor of wall thickness - a 3D cardiovascular magnetic resonance study in patients with high cardiovascular risk. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2020; 22:67. [PMID: 32912285 PMCID: PMC7488078 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-020-00657-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The posterior wall of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) is the predilection site for the development of stenosis. To optimally prevent stroke, identification of new risk factors for plaque progression is of high interest. Therefore, we studied the impact of carotid geometry and wall shear stress on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-depicted wall thickness in the ICA of patients with high cardiovascular disease risk. METHODS One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients ≥50 years with hypertension, ≥1 additional cardiovascular risk factor and ICA plaque ≥1.5 mm thickness and < 50% stenosis were prospectively included. High-resolution 3D-multi-contrast (time of flight, T1, T2, proton density) and 4D flow CMR were performed for the assessment of morphological (bifurcation angle, ICA/common carotid artery (CCA) diameter ratio, tortuosity, and wall thickness) and hemodynamic parameters (absolute/systolic wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI)) in 242 carotid bifurcations. RESULTS We found lower absolute/systolic WSS, higher OSI and increased wall thickness in the posterior compared to the anterior wall of the ICA bulb (p < 0.001), whereas this correlation disappeared in ≥10% stenosis. Higher carotid tortuosity (regression coefficient = 0.764; p < 0.001) and lower ICA/CCA diameter ratio (regression coefficient = - 0.302; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of increased wall thickness even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. This association was not found for bifurcation angle, WSS or OSI in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS High carotid tortuosity and low ICA diameter were independent predictors for wall thickness of the ICA bulb in this cross-sectional study, whereas this association was not present for WSS or OSI. Thus, consideration of geometric parameters of the carotid bifurcation could be helpful to identify patients at increased risk of carotid plaque generation. However, this association and the potential benefit of WSS measurement need to be further explored in a longitudinal study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Strecker
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Axel Joachim Krafft
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lilli Kaufhold
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Imaging Science and Computational Modelling in Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Hüllebrandt
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Imaging Science and Computational Modelling in Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Weber
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ute Ludwig
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Martin Wolkewitz
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anja Hennemuth
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany
- Institute for Imaging Science and Computational Modelling in Cardiovascular Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hennig
- Department of Radiology - Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Harloff
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Breisacherstrasse 64, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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Receive/Transmit Aperture Selection for 3D Ultrasound Imaging with a 2D Matrix Transducer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10155300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we realized a prototype matrix transducer consisting of 48 rows of 80 elements on top of a tiled set of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) implementing a row-level control connecting one transmit/receive channel to an arbitrary subset of elements per row. A fully sampled array data acquisition is implemented by a column-by-column (CBC) imaging scheme (80 transmit-receive shots) which achieves 250 volumes/second (V/s) at a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz. However, for several clinical applications such as carotid pulse wave imaging (CPWI), a volume rate of 1000 per second is needed. This allows only 20 transmit-receive shots per 3D image. In this study, we propose a shifting aperture scheme and investigate the effects of receive/transmit aperture size and aperture shifting step in the elevation direction. The row-level circuit is used to interconnect elements of a receive aperture in the elevation (row) direction. An angular weighting method is used to suppress the grating lobes caused by the enlargement of the effective elevation pitch of the array, as a result of element interconnection in the elevation direction. The effective aperture size, level of grating lobes, and resolution/sidelobes are used to select suitable reception/transmission parameters. Based on our assessment, the proposed imaging sequence is a full transmission (all 80 elements excited at the same time), a receive aperture size of 5 and an aperture shifting step of 3. Numerical results obtained at depths of 10, 15, and 20 mm show that, compared to the fully sampled array, the 1000 V/s is achieved at the expense of, on average, about two times wider point spread function and 4 dB higher clutter level. The resulting grating lobes were at −27 dB. The proposed imaging sequence can be used for carotid pulse wave imaging to generate an informative 3D arterial stiffness map, for cardiovascular disease assessment.
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Schmitter S, Adriany G, Waks M, Moeller S, Aristova M, Vali A, Auerbach EJ, Van de Moortele PF, Ugurbil K, Schnell S. Bilateral Multiband 4D Flow MRI of the Carotid Arteries at 7T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:1947-1960. [PMID: 32187742 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Simultaneous multislab (SMSb) 4D flow MRI was developed and implemented at 7T for accelerated acquisition of the 3D blood velocity vector field in both carotid bifurcations. METHODS SMSb was applied to 4D flow to acquire blood velocities in both carotid bifurcations in sagittal orientation using a local transmit/receive coil at 7T. B 1 + transmit efficiency was optimized by B 1 + shimming. SMSb 4D flow was obtained in 8 healthy subjects in single-band (SB) and multiband (MB) fashion. Additionally, MB data were retrospectively undersampled to simulate GRAPPA R = 2 (MB2_GRAPPA2), and both SB datasets were added to form an artificial MB dataset (SumSB). The band separation performance was quantified by signal leakage. Peak velocity and total flow values were calculated and compared to SB via intraclass correlation analysis (ICC). RESULTS Clean slab separation was achieved yielding a mean signal leakage of 13% above the mean SB noise level. Mean total flow for MB2, SumSB, and MB_GRAPPA2 deviated less than 9% from the SB values. Peak velocities averaged over all vessels and subjects were 0.48 ± 0.11 m/s for SB, 0.47 ± 0.12 m/s for SumSB, 0.50 ± 0.13 m/s for MB2, and 0.53 ± 0.13 m/s for MB2_GRAPPA2. ICC revealed excellent absolute agreement and consistency of total flow for all methods compared to SB2. Peak velocity showed good to excellent agreement and consistency for SumSB and MB2 and MB2_GRAPPA2 method showed poor to excellent agreement and good to excellent consistency. CONCLUSION Simultaneous multislab 4D Flow MRI allows accurate quantification of total flow and peak velocity while reducing scan times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schmitter
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany
| | - Gregor Adriany
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matt Waks
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Steen Moeller
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Maria Aristova
- McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.,Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Alireza Vali
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Edward J Auerbach
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Kamil Ugurbil
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Susanne Schnell
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
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Application of High-Resolution CUBE Sequence in Exploring Stroke Mechanisms of Atherosclerotic Stenosis of Middle Cerebral Artery. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018; 28:156-162. [PMID: 30322755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the vascular wall and atherosclerotic plaques of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and compare their differences between patients with cerebral infarction and transient ischemic attack (TIA) using 3-dimensional fast-spin-echo T1-weighted sequence (namely CUBE). METHODS Forty-seven patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of the MCA were included in this study. They received magnetic resonance examinations with routine T1WI, T2WI, 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography and diffusion-weighted imaging, as well as high-resolution CUBE T1WI sequence. Two physicians independently observed the location and degree of enhancement of the atheromatous plaques. The vessel area and lumen area at the maximal-lumen-narrowing and reference site were measured to calculate the plaque area, rate of stenosis, and remodeling index of the MCA. The chi-squared test was used to compare the differences of degree of enhancement between the cerebral infarction and TIA groups. The differences of rate of stenosis and remodeling index were compared by independent sample t test. RESULTS Twenty-five lesion vessels in the infarction group and 22 in the TIA group were analyzed. The difference of stenosis rate between the groups was not statistically significant. The lesion vessels of infarction group had a significantly larger remodeling index and plaque area, and the plaques had a significantly higher degree of enhancement, compared to the TIA group. CONCLUSIONS CUBE T1WI can be used to characterize the MCA vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaque. Positive remodeling and enhanced plaques are closely correlated with the occurrence of brain stroke.
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Massara M, Notarstefano S, Gerardi P, Prunella R, Impedovo G. Unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the common carotid artery: Diagnosis and treatment strategy. Semin Vasc Surg 2018; 31:88-90. [PMID: 30876646 DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The indication for carotid artery stenosis treatment is based primarily on the severity of internal carotid stenosis. There is increasing evidence that unstable plaques in the extracranial carotid artery can be responsible for ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks as the source of emboli, even if in the presence of a moderate stenosis. Physicians should be aware that morphological characteristics of the carotid plaques that indicate recent intra-plaque hemorrhage might require intervention in the absence of severe stenosis. This report details a patient with an unstable plaque in the common carotid artery who met clinical criteria for intervention because of the risk for future stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Massara
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via Leonida 49, Taranto, Italy.
| | - Stefano Notarstefano
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via Leonida 49, Taranto, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gerardi
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via Leonida 49, Taranto, Italy
| | - Roberto Prunella
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via Leonida 49, Taranto, Italy
| | - Giovanni Impedovo
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via Leonida 49, Taranto, Italy
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Langhoff R. Carotid stenosis - basing treatment on individual patients' needs. Optimal medical therapy alone or accompanied by stenting or endarterectomy. VASA 2017; 47:7-16. [PMID: 29064776 DOI: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Though carotid artery stenosis is a known origin of stroke, risk assessment and treatment modality are not yet satisfactorily established. Guideline updates according to latest evidence are expected shortly. Current clinical weakness concerns in particular the identification of "at-risk" patients. Beside the symptomatic status and the degree of stenosis, further signs of unstable plaque on carotid and cerebral imaging should be considered. Moreover, medical and endovascular therapy are continuously improving. Randomized trials and meta-analyses have shown similar long-term results for protected carotid artery stenting and endarterectomy. However, endovascular revascularization was associated with an increased 30-day rate of minor strokes. Newly developed embolic protection devices could possibly compensate for this disadvantage. Furthermore, high-level optimal medical therapy alone is currently being evaluated comparatively. We assume that a comprehensive evaluation of plaque vulnerability, serious consideration of advanced embolic protection, and more space for optimal medical therapy alone according to latest evidence, will benefit patients with carotid stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Langhoff
- 1 Department of Angiology, Sankt Gertrauden-Krankenhaus, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Min ZG, Shan HR, Xu L, Yan S, Sheng XX, Ji J, Cao ZH. Spontaneous isolated dissection and atherosclerotic plaques of superior mesenteric artery: the vastly different occurrence site suggests the opposite haemodynamic aetiology. Br J Radiol 2017; 90:20170178. [PMID: 28555503 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20170178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The development of atherosclerotic plaques and spontaneous isolated dissection (SID) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was considered to be related to opposite haemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to compare their occurrence sites and the morphology of the SMA to confirm the haemodynamic aetiologies. METHODS 57 patients with SID and 64 patients with atherosclerotic plaques were compared about patient characteristics, location of SID and plaque, the distance from lesion to the aortic ostia, SMA branching angle and inlet diameter of the SMA. RESULTS The location of SID and plaque was very different (p < 0.001). The anterior wall was the most common entry site of SIDSMA (84.0%) but the least frequent origin site of atherosclerotic plaques (7.8%). The posterior, left and right walls were the frequent origin sites of atherosclerotic plaques (total 92.2%) but not for SIDSMA. Most plaques started from the aortic ostia, and their average distance to the aortic ostia was significantly less than the distance from the entry site to the aortic ostia of SIDSMA (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between SIDSMA and the plaque groups in the branching angle and inlet diameter of the SMA. CONCLUSION The vastly different sites of SIDSMA and atherosclerotic plaque indicate their opposite haemodynamic aetiology. Advances in knowledge: By comparing the location of the two diseases, we demonstrate their different haemodynamic causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Min
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hai-Rong Shan
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Long Xu
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Su Yan
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xue-Xia Sheng
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian Ji
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhi-Hong Cao
- Department of Radiology, Yixing Hospital Affiliated of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
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11
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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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12
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Computer Simulations in Stroke Prevention: Design Tools and Virtual Strategies Towards Procedure Planning. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s13239-013-0134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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