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Ntaios G, Baumgartner H, Doehner W, Donal E, Edvardsen T, Healey JS, Iung B, Kamel H, Kasner SE, Korompoki E, Navi BB, Pristipino C, Saba L, Schnabel RB, Svennberg E, Lip GYH. Embolic strokes of undetermined source: a clinical consensus statement of the ESC Council on Stroke, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the European Heart Rhythm Association of the ESC. Eur Heart J 2024; 45:1701-1715. [PMID: 38685132 PMCID: PMC11107123 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
One in six ischaemic stroke patients has an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), defined as a stroke with unclear aetiology despite recommended diagnostic evaluation. The overall cardiovascular risk of ESUS is high and it is important to optimize strategies to prevent recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular events. The aim of clinicians when confronted with a patient not only with ESUS but also with any other medical condition of unclear aetiology is to identify the actual cause amongst a list of potential differential diagnoses, in order to optimize secondary prevention. However, specifically in ESUS, this may be challenging as multiple potential thromboembolic sources frequently coexist. Also, it can be delusively reassuring because despite the implementation of specific treatments for the individual pathology presumed to be the actual thromboembolic source, patients can still be vulnerable to stroke and other cardiovascular events caused by other pathologies already identified during the index diagnostic evaluation but whose thromboembolic potential was underestimated. Therefore, rather than trying to presume which particular mechanism is the actual embolic source in an ESUS patient, it is important to assess the overall thromboembolic risk of the patient through synthesis of the individual risks linked to all pathologies present, regardless if presumed causally associated or not. In this paper, a multi-disciplinary panel of clinicians/researchers from various backgrounds of expertise and specialties (cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, radiology and vascular surgery) proposes a comprehensive multi-dimensional assessment of the overall thromboembolic risk in ESUS patients through the composition of individual risks associated with all prevalent pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ntaios
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa University Hospital, Larissa 41132, Greece
| | - Helmut Baumgartner
- Department of Cardiology III: Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfram Doehner
- Department of Cardiology (Campus Virchow), Center of Stroke Research Berlin, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health-Center for Regenerative Therapies, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erwan Donal
- Service de Cardiologie et CIC-IT 1414, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeff S Healey
- Cardiology Division, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Bernard Iung
- Bichat Hospital, APHP and Université Paris-Cité, INSERM LVTS U1148, Paris, France
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott E Kasner
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eleni Korompoki
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Babak B Navi
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christian Pristipino
- Interventional and Intensive Cardiology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), di Cagliari—Polo di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Germany
| | - Emma Svennberg
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Chen H, Qing T, Luo H, Yu M, Wang Y, Wei W, Xie Y, Yi X. Inflammation and endothelial function relevant genetic polymorphisms, carotid atherosclerosis, and vascular events in high-risk stroke population. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1405183. [PMID: 38827573 PMCID: PMC11144032 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1405183] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim To identify the associations of 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in inflammation and endothelial function and carotid atherosclerosis with subsequent ischemic stroke and other vascular events in the high-risk stroke population. Methods This was a multicenter community-based sectional survey and prospective cohort study in Sichuan, southwestern China. Eight communities were randomly selected, and the residents in each community were surveyed using a structured face-to-face questionnaire. Carotid ultrasonography and DNA information were obtained from 2,377 out of 2,893 individuals belonging to a high-risk stroke population. Genotypes of the 19 SNPs in genes involved in inflammation and endothelial function were measured. All the 2,377 subjects were followed up for 4.7 years after the face-to-face survey. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke, and the secondary outcome was a composite of vascular events. Results Among the 2,377 subjects, 2,205 (92.8%) completed a 4.7-year follow-up, 947 (42.9%) had carotid atherosclerosis [372 (16.9%) carotid vulnerable plaque, 405 (18.4%) mean IMT > 0.9 mm, 285 (12.0%) carotid stenosis ≥15%]. Outcomes occurred in 158 (7.2%) subjects [92 (4.2%) ischemic stroke, 17 (0.8%) hemorrhagic stroke, 48 (2.2%) myocardial infarction, and 26 (1.2%) death] during follow-up. There was a significant gene-gene interaction among ITGA2 rs1991013, IL1A rs1609682, and HABP2 rs7923349 in the 19 SNPs. The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that carotid atherosclerosis and the high-risk interactive genotypes among the three SNPs were independent with a higher risk for ischemic stroke (OR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52-6.78, p = 0.004; and OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 2.12-9.27, p < 0.001, respectively) and composite vascular events (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.46-6.35, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.97-8.52, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion The prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis was shown to be very high in the high-risk stroke population. Specific SNPs, interactions among them, and carotid atherosclerosis were independently associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke and other vascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Chen
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Qing
- Department of Neurology, The Second People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Hua Luo
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Neurology, The Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanfen Wang
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingyang Yi
- Department of Neurology, The People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan, China
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Dženkevičiūtė V, Adomavičius T, Tarutytė G, Rinkūnienė E, Kasiulevičius V, Badarienė J. Carotid Plaques and Hypertension as Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in Middle-Aged Adults. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2804. [PMID: 38792345 PMCID: PMC11121814 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Both hypertension and carotid atherosclerosis are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We aim to investigate the synergistic effects of hypertension and carotid plaques on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Methods: A follow-up study was conducted at the Preventive Cardiology Department of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos between 2012 and 2021. The study recruited participants aged 40-65 who did not have overt cardiovascular disease (CVD) and were part of the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk primary preventive program. The study collected demographic and clinical data, including an ultrasound assessment of carotid plaque. Results: The participants were monitored for 4-10 years for CVD events and all-cause mortality. Among 6138 participants, 954 (16%) experienced CVD events. The presence of carotid plaque on both sides was significantly associated with CVD events, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality. However, the combination of hypertension and carotid plaque did not significantly increase the risk for CVD events or all-cause mortality. Conclusions: The risk of CVD events or all-cause mortality was not significantly increased by the combination of hypertension and carotid plaque. Cardiovascular events depend on the extent of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vilma Dženkevičiūtė
- Clinic of Internal and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (T.A.); (V.K.)
| | - Tadas Adomavičius
- Clinic of Internal and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (T.A.); (V.K.)
| | - Gabrielė Tarutytė
- Department of Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Egidija Rinkūnienė
- Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (E.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Vytautas Kasiulevičius
- Clinic of Internal and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (T.A.); (V.K.)
| | - Jolita Badarienė
- Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Vilnius University, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania; (E.R.); (J.B.)
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Lai Z, Wang C, Liu X, Sun H, Guo Z, Shao J, Li K, Chen J, Wang J, Lei X, Shu K, Feng Y, Kong D, Sun W, Liu B. Characterization of the proteome of stable and unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. J Transl Med 2024; 22:247. [PMID: 38454421 PMCID: PMC10921703 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04723-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, noninvasive imaging techniques and circulating biomarkers are still insufficient to accurately assess carotid plaque stability, and an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to plaque instability is still lacking. METHODS We established a clinical study cohort containing 182 patients with carotid artery stenosis. After screening, 39 stable and 49 unstable plaques were included in the discovery group, and quantitative proteomics analysis based on data independent acquisition was performed for these plaque samples. Additionally, 35 plaques were included in the validation group to validate the proteomics results by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS A total of 397 differentially expressed proteins were identified in stable and unstable plaques. These proteins are primarily involved in ferroptosis and lipid metabolism-related functions and pathways. Plaque validation results showed that ferroptosis- and lipid metabolism-related proteins had different expression trends in stable plaques versus unstable fibrous cap regions and lipid core regions. Ferroptosis- and lipid metabolism-related mechanisms in plaque stability were discussed. CONCLUSIONS Our results may provide a valuable strategy for revealing the mechanisms affecting plaque stability and will facilitate the discovery of specific biomarkers to broaden the therapeutic scope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Lai
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaonan Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hemangiomas & Vascular Malformations, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Proteomics Research Center, Core Facility of Instruments, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking, Union Medical College, Dongdansantiao 9St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Haidan Sun
- Proteomics Research Center, Core Facility of Instruments, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking, Union Medical College, Dongdansantiao 9St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengguang Guo
- Proteomics Research Center, Core Facility of Instruments, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking, Union Medical College, Dongdansantiao 9St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Shao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Junye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxian Wang
- Eight-Year Program of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangling Lei
- Eight-Year Program of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Keqiang Shu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyao Feng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Deqiang Kong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Proteomics Research Center, Core Facility of Instruments, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking, Union Medical College, Dongdansantiao 9St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bao Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Shuaifuyuan 1St, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
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Shimonaga K, Ikedo T, Yamada N, Niwa A, Kushi Y, Hamano E, Yamada K, Imamura H, Mori H, Hatakeyama K, Iihara K, Kataoka H. Plaque Ulcerations are Associated with Recurrence in Symptomatic Low-Grade Carotid Stenosis. World Neurosurg 2024; 183:e886-e891. [PMID: 38218448 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.051] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgical indications for low-grade carotid stenosis have not yet been established. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of low-grade carotid stenosis refractory to medical treatment. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients with symptomatic low-grade carotid stenosis (<50%). Recurrence was defined as an ipsilateral ischemic event in the symptomatic lesions during the follow-up period. Patient demographics and imaging findings were compared between the recurrence and nonrecurrence groups to investigate risk factors associated with medical treatment. RESULTS The mean age was 74.1 (58-90 years), and the mean follow-up period was 35.4 months (2.0-97 months). Recurrence occurred in 15 of the symptomatic patients. Ulceration was significantly associated with recurrence under medical treatment (P = 0.001). The median time to recurrence was 26.1 months in patients with ulcers and 54.3 months in those without ulcers (P = 0.04). Pathological study with recurrence showed plaque rupture with multilayered lesions, indicating lesions refractory to medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS In cases of low-grade carotid stenosis, lesions with ulcerations are likely refractory to medical therapy. Consideration of the indications for surgical treatment may be warranted for lesions with ulceration, even if the degree of stenosis is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Shimonaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan.
| | - Taichi Ikedo
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Naoto Yamada
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Akihiro Niwa
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuji Kushi
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Eika Hamano
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Imamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Hisae Mori
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kinta Hatakeyama
- Department of Pathology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Koji Iihara
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroharu Kataoka
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
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Zhang L, Xu X, Zhang X, Jiang S, Hui P. Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with ulcerative plaque in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A single center exploratory study. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2024; 52:295-304. [PMID: 38143429 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study explored the correlation between inflammatory markers and ulcerative plaques based on carotid doppler ultrasound (CDU) in individuals with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS A total of 202 cases diagnosed with AIS associated with atherosclerotic plaque (AP) in the carotid artery were enrolled in this research. Collecting clinical baseline data, laboratory data (such as the complete blood count) and imaging data (CDU and Brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). Then the correlation between Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, SII = P N/L, where P, N, and L were the peripheral blood platelet, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, respectively), the shape and position of AP, the degree of carotid artery stenosis, and the presence of ulcerative plaques. Cutoff values were determined accordingly. RESULTS SII and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) were independent risk factors for the presence of vulnerable carotid plaques. SII, type A plaque, plaque above carotid bifurcation, and severe carotid stenosis were independent risk factors for the presence of ulcerative plaque. The AUC value, the sensitivity, specificity, the best cutoff value of SII in predicting the presence of ulcerative plaque was 0.895, 93.3%, 89.2%, and 537.4 (109 /L), respectively. CONCLUSION SII at admission was found to be independently associated with the presence of AIS with vulnerable plaque, especially ulcerative plaques. Moreover, plaque ulceration was more likely to form when the area of higher plaque thickness was located in the upstream arterial wall of maximum plaque thickness (WTmax), plaque was above the carotid bifurcation and severe carotid stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinchun Xu
- Department of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu Jiang
- Department of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pinjing Hui
- Department of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
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Zhu N, Wang Z, Tao M, Li Y, Shen L, Xu T. CircSKA3 is Associated With the Risk of Extracranial Artery Stenosis and Plaque Instability Among Ischemic Stroke Patients. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:16. [PMID: 38198062 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01449-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Circular RNA circSKA3 (spindle and kinetochore-related complex subunit 3) has been identified as a prognostic factor in ischemic stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of circSKA3 with the risk of extracranial artery stenosis (ECAS) and plaque instability in patients with ischemic stroke. We constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network regulated by circSKA3 based on differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs between five patients and five controls. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed on the 65 mRNAs within the network, revealing their primary involvement in inflammatory biological processes. A total of 284 ischemic stroke patients who underwent various imaging examinations were included for further analyses. Each 1 standard deviation increase in the log-transformed blood circSKA3 level was associated with a 56.3% increased risk of ECAS (P = 0.005) and a 142.1% increased risk of plaque instability (P = 0.005). Patients in the top tertile of circSKA3 had a 2.418-fold (P < 0.05) risk of ECAS compared to the reference group (P for trend = 0.02). CircSKA3 demonstrated a significant but limited ability to discriminate the presence of ECAS (AUC = 0.594, P = 0.015) and unstable carotid plaques (AUC = 0.647, P = 0.034). CircSKA3 improved the reclassification power for ECAS (NRI: 9.86%, P = 0.012; IDI: 2.97%, P = 0.007) and plaque instability (NRI: 36.73%, P = 0.008; IDI: 7.05%, P = 0.04) beyond conventional risk factors. CircSKA3 played an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke by influencing inflammatory biological processes. Increased circSKA3 was positively associated with the risk of ECAS and plaque instability among ischemic stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Mingfeng Tao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yongxin Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Lihua Shen
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Tian Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Garg PK, Bhatia HS, Allen TS, Grainger T, Pouncey AL, Dichek D, Virmani R, Golledge J, Allison MA, Powell JT. Assessment of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic People In Vivo: Measurements Suitable for Biomarker and Mendelian Randomization Studies. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:24-47. [PMID: 38150519 PMCID: PMC10753091 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease is the early detection and treatment of atherosclerosis. This has led to significant interest in studies of subclinical atherosclerosis, using different phenotypes, not all of which are accurate reflections of the presence of asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaques. The aim of part 2 of this series is to provide a review of the existing literature on purported measures of subclinical disease and recommendations concerning which tests may be appropriate in the prevention of incident cardiovascular disease. METHODS We conducted a critical review of measurements used to infer the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in the major conduit arteries and focused on the predictive value of these tests for future cardiovascular events, independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, in asymptomatic people. The emphasis was on studies with >10 000 person-years of follow-up, with meta-analysis of results reporting adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs. The arterial territories were limited to carotid, coronary, aorta, and lower limb arteries. RESULTS In the carotid arteries, the presence of plaque (8 studies) was independently associated with future stroke (pooled HR, 1.89 [1.04-3.44]) and cardiac events (7 studies), with a pooled HR, 1.77 (1.19-2.62). Increased coronary artery calcium (5 studies) was associated with the risk of coronary heart disease events, pooled HR, 1.54 (1.07-2.07) and increasing severity of calcification (by Agaston score) was associated with escalation of risk (13 studies). An ankle/brachial index (ABI) of <0.9, the pooled HR for cardiovascular death from 7 studies was 2.01 (1.43-2.81). There were insufficient studies of either, thoracic or aortic calcium, aortic diameter, or femoral plaque to synthesize the data based on consistent reporting of these measures. CONCLUSIONS The presence of carotid plaque, coronary artery calcium, or abnormal ankle pressures seems to be a valid indicator of the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and may be considered for use in biomarker, Mendelian randomization and similar studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parveen K Garg
- Division of Cardiology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles (G.P.)
| | - Harpreet S Bhatia
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California San Diego (B.H., A.T., A.M.A.)
| | - Tara S Allen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California San Diego (B.H., A.T., A.M.A.)
| | - Tabitha Grainger
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London (G.T., P.A.-L., P.J.T.)
| | - Anna L Pouncey
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London (G.T., P.A.-L., P.J.T.)
| | - David Dichek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (D.D.)
| | | | - Jonathan Golledge
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital, Australia (G.J.)
| | - Matthew A Allison
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California San Diego (B.H., A.T., A.M.A.)
| | - Janet T Powell
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London (G.T., P.A.-L., P.J.T.)
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Zhao Y, Jiang M, Chan WS, Chiu B. Development of a Three-Dimensional Carotid Ultrasound Image Segmentation Workflow for Improved Efficiency, Reproducibility and Accuracy in Measuring Vessel Wall and Plaque Volume and Thickness. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1217. [PMID: 37892947 PMCID: PMC10603859 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10101217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Automated segmentation of carotid lumen-intima boundary (LIB) and media-adventitia boundary (MAB) by deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) from three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) images has made assessment and monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis more efficient than manual segmentation. However, training of CNN still requires manual segmentation of LIB and MAB. Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency of manual segmentation and develop strategies to improve segmentation accuracy by the CNN for serial monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis. One strategy to reduce segmentation time is to increase the interslice distance (ISD) between segmented axial slices of a 3DUS image while maintaining the segmentation reliability. We, for the first time, investigated the effect of ISD on the reproducibility of MAB and LIB segmentations. The intra-observer reproducibility of LIB and MAB segmentations at ISDs of 1 mm and 2 mm was not statistically significantly different, whereas the reproducibility at ISD = 3 mm was statistically lower. Therefore, we conclude that segmentation with an ISD of 2 mm provides sufficient reliability for CNN training. We further proposed training the CNN by the baseline images of the entire cohort of patients for automatic segmentation of the follow-up images acquired for the same cohort. We validated that segmentation with this time-based partitioning approach is more accurate than that produced by patient-based partitioning, especially at the carotid bifurcation. This study forms the basis for an efficient, reproducible, and accurate 3DUS workflow for serial monitoring of carotid atherosclerosis useful in risk stratification of cardiovascular events and in evaluating the efficacy of new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhao
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (Y.Z.); (M.J.); (W.S.C.)
| | - Mingjie Jiang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (Y.Z.); (M.J.); (W.S.C.)
| | - Wai Sum Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (Y.Z.); (M.J.); (W.S.C.)
| | - Bernard Chiu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (Y.Z.); (M.J.); (W.S.C.)
- Department of Physics & Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
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Sultan SR, Khayat M, Almutairi B, Marzouq A, Albngali A, Abdeen R, Alahmadi AA, Toonsi F. B-mode ultrasound characteristics of carotid plaques in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with low-grade stenosis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291450. [PMID: 37703254 PMCID: PMC10499196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotid plaque features assessed using B-mode ultrasound can be useful for the prediction of cerebrovascular symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to determine the ability of ultrasound B-mode imaging to differentiate between carotid plaques causing less than 50% stenosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. A dataset of 1,593 patients with carotid disease who underwent carotid ultrasound between 2016 and 2021 was evaluated retrospectively between January and April of 2022. A total of 107 carotid plaques from 35 symptomatic and 52 asymptomatic patients causing low-grade stenosis on B-mode images were included in the analysis. Chi-square, independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the variables. There was a significant association between hypertension and the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms (p = 0.01). Predominantly hypoechoic and hyperechoic carotid plaque were significantly associated with the presence and absence of cerebrovascular symptoms, respectively (predominantly hypoechoic: p = 0.01; predominantly hyperechoic: p = 0.02). Surface irregularity was significantly associated with the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms (p = 0.02). There is was a significant difference in the carotid plaque length and area between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (plaque length: symptomatic median 9 mm, interquartile range [IQR] 6 mm; asymptomatic median 6 mm, IQR 4.5 mm, p = 0.01; plaque area: symptomatic median 24 mm, IQR 30 mm; asymptomatic median 14 mm, IQR 17 mm, p = 0.01); however, this difference was not significant for plaque thickness (p = 0.55), or common carotid artery intima-media thickness (p = 0.7). Our findings indicate that hypertension patients with predominantly hypoechoic carotid plaques and plaques with an irregular surface are associated with the presence of cerebrovascular symptoms. In addition, the carotid plaques in symptomatic patients were longer and larger compared to asymptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salahaden R. Sultan
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Radiology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Khayat
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bander Almutairi
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Radiology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulhamid Marzouq
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Albngali
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rawan Abdeen
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adnan A.S. Alahmadi
- Radiologic Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fadi Toonsi
- Department of Radiology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Jiang M, Chiu B. A Dual-Stream Centerline-Guided Network for Segmentation of the Common and Internal Carotid Arteries From 3D Ultrasound Images. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 42:2690-2705. [PMID: 37015114 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2023.3263537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Segmentation of the carotid section encompassing the common carotid artery (CCA), the bifurcation and the internal carotid artery (ICA) from three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) is required to measure the vessel wall volume (VWV) and localized vessel-wall-plus-plaque thickness (VWT), shown to be sensitive to treatment effect. We proposed an approach to combine a centerline extraction network (CHG-Net) and a dual-stream centerline-guided network (DSCG-Net) to segment the lumen-intima (LIB) and media-adventitia boundaries (MAB) from 3DUS images. Correct arterial location is essential for successful segmentation of the carotid section encompassing the bifurcation. We addressed this challenge by using the arterial centerline to enhance the localization accuracy of the segmentation network. The CHG-Net was developed to generate a heatmap indicating high probability regions for the centerline location, which was then integrated with the 3DUS image by the DSCG-Net to generate the MAB and LIB. The DSCG-Net includes a scale-based and a spatial attention mechanism to fuse multi-level features extracted by the encoder, and a centerline heatmap reconstruction side-branch connected to the end of the encoder to increase the generalization ability of the network. Experiments involving 224 3DUS volumes produce a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 95.8±1.9% and 92.3±5.4% for CCA MAB and LIB, respectively, and 93.2±4.4% and 89.0±10.0% for ICA MAB and LIB, respectively. Our approach outperformed four state-of-the-art 3D CNN models, even after their performances were boosted by centerline guidance. The efficiency afforded by the framework would allow it to be incorporated into the clinical workflow for improved quantification of plaque change.
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Zhang L, Li X, Lyu Q, Shi G. Imaging diagnosis and research progress of carotid plaque vulnerability. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2022; 50:905-912. [PMID: 35801515 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23266] [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: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) exhibits a high disability rate, mortality, and recurrence rate, imposing a serious threat to human survival and health. Its occurrence is affected by various factors. Although the previous research has demonstrated that the occurrence of IS is mainly associated with lumen stenosis caused by carotid atherosclerotic plaque (AP), recent studies have revealed that many patients will still suffer from IS even with mild carotid artery lumen stenosis. Blood supply disturbance causes 10% of IS to the corresponding cerebral blood supply area caused by carotid vulnerable plaque. Thrombus blockage of distal branch vessels caused by rupture of vulnerable carotid plaque is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Therefore, how to accurately evaluate vulnerable plaque and intervene as soon as possible is a problem that needs to be solved in clinic. The vulnerability of plaque is determined by its internal components, including thin and incomplete fibrous cap, necrotic lipid core, intra-plaque hemorrhage, intra-plaque neovascularization, and ulcerative plaque formation. The development of imaging technology enables the routine detection of AP vulnerability. By analyzing the pathological changes, characteristics, and formation mechanism of carotid plaque vulnerability, this article aims to explore the modern imaging methods which can be used to identify plaque composition and plaque vulnerability to provide a reference basis for disease diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianlian Zhang
- Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, The First peolie's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Lyu
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Guofu Shi
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu medical vocational college, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
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Sultan SR, Bashmail FT, Alzahrani NA, Alharbi SI, Anbar R, Alkharaiji M. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Echocardiography 2022; 39:1032-1043. [PMID: 35768892 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a promising imaging modality for the assessment of plaque vulnerability. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the ability of CEUS parameters to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques and to assess its reproducibility. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies that potentially evaluated carotid plaques using CEUS. From the initial 2870 searches, 11 relevant publications comprising a total of 821 carotid plaques were reviewed. Data on CEUS parameters including quantitative and semi-quantitative parameters were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS The overall analysis showed significantly higher CEUS parameters in symptomatic carotid plaques compared to asymptomatic carotid plaques (standardised mean difference (SMD) .95, 95% confidence interval (CI) .56-1.27, p < .01). Intra and inter-observer reproducibility of quantitative CEUS parameters were excellent (intra-observer, r = .95, 95% CI .87-1; inter-observer, r = .93, 95% CI .80-.1). Semi-quantitative CEUS parameters showed good intra-observer reliability and moderate inter-observer reliability (intra-observer, r = .77, 95% CI .64-.89; inter-observer, r = .75, 95% CI .61-.89). Heterogeneity among studies compared CEUS parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques and studies assessed inter-observer reproducibility, and significant biases in studies assessing CEUS reproducibility were present. CONCLUSION CEUS is a useful vascular imaging method to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques with moderate to excellent reproducibility. Quantitative CEUS analysis appeared to be more sensitive and reliable in assessing carotid plaques than semi-quantitative parameters. Further longitudinal prospective trials evaluating carotid plaque in asymptomatic population using CEUS to determine plaque characteristics that can become symptomatic are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salahaden R Sultan
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima T Bashmail
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf A Alzahrani
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahd I Alharbi
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rayan Anbar
- Department of Radiologic Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alkharaiji
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Impact of PCSK9 Inhibition on Proinflammatory Cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteinases Release in Patients with Mixed Hyperlipidemia and Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070802. [PMID: 35890100 PMCID: PMC9324132 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a disorder in which, in addition to high cholesterol levels, several plasma factors play a significant role in its development. Among these cytokines and molecules are interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), all of which may contribute to the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of advanced lipid-lowering therapy on the levels of these determinants by utilizing proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors in patients with verified high-risk atherosclerotic plaque. Methods: The study involved patients with dyslipidemia who had the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque verified by ultrasonography and who were eligible to begin alirocumab treatment. The levels of IL-6, IL, 18, TNF-α, and MMPs were determined in this group before and after three months of therapy. After treatment, a statistically significant decrease in concentrations of Il-18, Il-6, TNF-α (p < 0.001) and MMP-2 (p < 0.05) was observed. Additionally, we observed that the concentrations of these markers were significantly higher in the group of patients prior to initiating therapy than in the control group. Our study’s results suggest that PCSK-9 inhibitor therapy significantly reduces the concentration of factors influencing the stability of atherosclerotic plaque, which may explain their essential importance in reducing cardiovascular risk in patients receiving this treatment.
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Kosowski M, Basiak M, Hachuła M, Okopień B. Plasma Concentrations of New Biochemical Markers of Atherosclerosis in Patients with Dyslipidemia-A Pilot Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58060717. [PMID: 35743980 PMCID: PMC9228852 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58060717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The process of atherosclerotic plaque formation and its destabilisation is a process in which many proteins and cytokines are involved. Examples of such proteins are osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), metalloproteinases (MMPs) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The aim of our study is to compare the concentrations of the above-mentioned markers in the plasma of patients with the confirmed presence of rupture plaque in comparison with the plasma of healthy people. Materials and Methods: The study included people suffering from dyslipidemia in whom the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque was confirmed by ultrasound. The concentrations of OPN, OPG, MPO, metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in the plasma of these people were determined and compared with the concentrations of these proteins in the plasma of healthy people. Results: Levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 (p < 0.001), OPN, and OPG (p < 0.05) were statistically significantly lower in the group of healthy people than in the study group. Differences in MPO concentration were not statistically significant (p = 0.073). Conclusions: In the plasma of people with confirmed presence of rupture plaque, the concentrations of OPN, OPG, and MMPs are higher compared to the group of healthy people, which may suggest the use of these proteins as novel markers of the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.
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Plasma Concentrations of Cytokines in Patients with Combined Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerotic Plaque before Treatment Initiation—A Pilot Study. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58050624. [PMID: 35630041 PMCID: PMC9143983 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The formation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques is a complex process involving several proteins and cytokines. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are examples of such cytokines. The goal of our research is to compare the concentrations of the above-mentioned indicators in the plasma of patients with verified high-risk atherosclerotic plaque to the plasma levels of healthy people before lipid lowering therapy. Materials and Methods: Patients with dyslipidemia who had the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque verified by ultrasonography were included in the study. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the plasma of these people were determined and compared with the concentrations of these cytokines in the plasma of the control group. Results: Levels of lipid panel, IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly lower in the group of healthy people than in the study group. Conclusions: The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 in the plasma of patients with ruptured plaque are higher than in the plasma of healthy people, suggesting that these cytokines as a panel might be used as new indicators of the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.
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Alyami J, Almutairi F. Arterial Stiffness Assessment in Healthy Participants Using Shear Wave Elastography. Curr Med Imaging 2022; 18:1086-1092. [PMID: 35430974 DOI: 10.2174/1573405618666220415124535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arterial stiffness is an important biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides quantitative estimates of tissue stiffness. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide reference values for arterial wall, assessing the suitability of SWE to quantify elasticity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and evaluating inter- and intra-observer reproducibility. METHODS A Supersonic Aixplorer ultrasound system with L15-4 probe was used to scan longitudinal sections of the CCA. Young's modulus (YM) was measured within 2-mm regions of interest. Reproducibility was assessed within a subgroup of 16 participants by two operators (one novice and one experienced) during two sessions >one week apart. RESULTS This study involves seventy-three participants with a mean age of 40±10 years and body mass index of 26 ±6 kg/m2. YM estimates were 59 kPa ±19 in men and 56 kPa ±12 in women. The average YM of the CCA walls was 58 kPa ±15 (57 ±15 kPa for the anterior wall and 58 ±20 kPa for the posterior wall, p=0.75). There was no significant difference in the mean of YM estimates of the CCA between the observers (observer: one 51 ±14 kPa and observer two: 55 ±17 kPa [p=0.46]). inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was fair to good (Intra-class correlations, ranging from 0.46 to 0.71). Inter-frame variability was 28%. CONCLUSION In healthy individuals, SWE provided an estimate of YM of the CCA (58 kPa) with fair to good reproducibility. This study demonstrated the potential of using SWE for assessing biomechanical properties of blood vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaber Alyami
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Almutairi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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The Circulating Biomarker Fractalkine and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB are Correlated with Carotid Plaque Vulnerability Assessed by Computed Tomography Angiography. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022; 31:106422. [PMID: 35255286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although studies have demonstrated that inflammatory and lipid/ lipoproteins-related biomarkers, genetic mutations, and epigenetic mechanisms could be candidates for diagnosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke, there is still no consensus on how to identify vulnerable plaques based on circulating biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Histological and immunohistochemical staining were performed in the aorta sections of ApoE-/- and WT mice. Eighty-nine patients who underwent CTA were included in this study. The degree of carotid stenosis and the wall features of plaque components were quantitatively analyzed. And the serum concentration of FKN and PDGF-BB were measured. RESULTS (1) The type V vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques deposited on the aortas of ApoE-/- mice after feeding with western diet for 16 weeks. And the expression of CX3CR1 and PDGFR-β increased in the areas of atherosclerotic plaques, especially inside the fibrous cap of plaque. (2) Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis showed larger LNRC, smaller calcified plaques and more plaque ulceration detected by CTA than asymptomatic stenosis patients. Plaque ulceration and size of LNRC were high risk factors for stroke while plaque calcification was less frequently associated with cerebrovascular ischemia. (3) The serum concentration of FKN was lower and of PDGF-BB was higher in the patients with carotid artery stenosis. Correlation analysis suggested that FKN and PDGF-BB correlated positively with carotid plaque calcification and LNRC respectively. CONCLUSIONS For prediction it is recommended to combine circulating biomarkers (FKN and PDGF-BB) and imaging biomarkersfor comprehensive diagnosis and risk stratification in carotid atherosclerotic stroke.
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Gedney R, Kung E, Mehta V, Brown A, Bridges M, Veeraswamy R. Plaque Contact Surface Area and Lumen Volume Predict Stroke Risk in Extracranial Carotid Artery Stenosis. J Vasc Surg 2022; 76:482-488. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Li Y, Zheng S, Zhang J, Wang F, He W. Multimodal ultrasound parameters aided carotid plaque risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Acta Radiol 2022; 63:278-286. [PMID: 33525913 DOI: 10.1177/0284185121989189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk stratification of asymptomatic carotid plaque remains an issue in stroke prevention in clinical practice. PURPOSE To investigate whether a multimodal ultrasound (MMU) model would help plaque risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study was conducted of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with > 50% proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. All patients underwent MMU examination. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify parameters associated with ischemic vascular events (IVE). These parameters were used to develop a scoring nomogram to assess the probability of IVE. We elaborated the diagnostic performance of the MMU nomogram using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS From December 2018 to December 2019, 98 patients (75 men, mean age 67 ± 8 years) were included; 50 were symptomatic and 48 were asymptomatic. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that plaque surface morphology (PSM) (odds ratio [OR] 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-7.12, P = 0.013), intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) grades (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.77-5.89, P<0.001), and carotid stenosis degree (CSD) (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.47-11.55, P = 0.007) were independently associated with IVE. For the nomogram, the area under the ROC curve was 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.92) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test P value was 0.822. CONCLUSIONS In patients with proximal ICA > 50%, PSM, IPN grades, and CSD were independent variables associated with IVE. The MMU nomogram provided favorable value to risk stratification of IVE. Future large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed to validate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shuai Zheng
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jinghan Zhang
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Fumin Wang
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wen He
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, PR China
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Zhang P, He Q, Song D, Wang Y, Liu X, Ding G, Xing W. Association of Helicobacter pylori Infection With Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Northern Chinese Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:795795. [PMID: 35174222 PMCID: PMC8841728 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.795795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection may be involved in the development of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), but this conclusion is still controversial. The aim of this study was to explore whether there is a positive association between HP infection and CAS occurrence. We collected data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and disease history of the participants by questionnaire. We obtained clinical anthropometric data and blood samples of the participants from clinical examinations and laboratory work. The 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) was performed to assess the HP infection status, and carotid ultrasonography was used to diagnose the CAS and plaque types. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the relationship between HP infection and CAS. A total of 1,424 participants were recruited for this study. A total of 740 HP-positive individuals and 684 HP-negative individuals were identified, and 345 participants were diagnosed with CAS. The prevalence of CAS was higher in the HP-positive group (26.4%) than in the HP-negative group (21.7%) (P < 0.05). A significantly higher prevalence of carotid intima-media thickening, carotid plaque, and carotid stenosis was identified in the HP-positive group than in the HP-negative group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the detection rate of unstable plaques between the HP-positive and HP-negative groups (P > 0.05). In multivariate models adjusted for covariates, HP infection showed a positive association with CAS, independent of other risk factors (ORs range: 1.283–1.333, P < 0.05). HP infection independently accounted for approximately 5% of the CAS risk in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors. A positive association between HP infection and CAS was demonstrated in this study. HP infection might be an independent risk factor for CAS. Although the effect of HP infection on CAS observed in our study was less than that of traditional risk factors, we believe that this is an indispensable advance in the etiological study of CAS. These results imply that the microbial population might play an essential role in CAS, which provides a new perspective for the primary prevention of CAS.
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Tsivgoulis G, Safouris A, Alexandrov AV. Ultrasonography. Stroke 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-69424-7.00046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Yang Q, Guo H, Shi X, Xu X, Zha M, Cai H, Yang D, Huang F, Zhang X, Lv Q, Liu R, Liu X. Identification of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Plaque: A Three-Item Scale Combined Angiography With Optical Coherence Tomography. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:792437. [PMID: 34955737 PMCID: PMC8702715 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.792437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Symptomatic carotid disease conveys a high risk of recurrent stroke. Plaque morphology and specific plaque characteristics are associated with the risk of stroke. This study aimed to evaluate the detailed plaque features by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and develop a simple scale combining clinical indicators, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and OCT imaging markers to identify symptomatic carotid plaque. Methods: Carotid plaques from consecutive patients who underwent carotid OCT imaging between June 2017 and June 2021 were evaluated. Clinical characteristics, DSA, and OCT data were compared between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with symptomatic carotid plaque and to develop a scale. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the scale. Results: A total of 90 carotid plaques from 90 patients were included (symptomatic 35.6%, asymptomatic 64.4%). Three main factors were found to be associated with symptomatic carotid plaque: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <0.925 mmol/L (OR, 4.708; 95% CI, 1.640 to 13.517; P = 0.004), irregular plaque (OR, 4.017; 95% CI, 1.250 to 12.910; P = 0.020), and white thrombus (OR, 4.594; 95% CI, 1.141 to 18.487; P = 0.032). The corresponding score of three items produced a scale with good discrimination (AUC, 0.768; 95% CI, 0.665 to 0.871). The optimal cutoff value of the scale was 1.5 points with 59.4% sensitivity and 84.5% specificity. Conclusion: The three-item scale comprising HDL-C <0.925 mmol/L, angiographical irregular plaque, and white thrombus detected by OCT may provide information to identify symptomatic carotid plaque. Further large-scale studies are required to validate whether the symptomatic carotid plaque scale is clinically valuable in recognizing carotid atherosclerosis in the early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwen Yang
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongquan Guo
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuan Shi
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Zha
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haodi Cai
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dahong Yang
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feihong Huang
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaohao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiushi Lv
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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24
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The risk factors of old silent brain infarctions in carotid artery stenosis. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:2397-2404. [PMID: 34586540 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05638-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the risk factors of old ipsilateral silent brain infarctions (iSBIs) in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. METHODS Consecutive patients with unilateral ICA stenosis ≥ 50% or occlusion were retrospectively enrolled. Old iSBIs were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging. Baseline characteristics and imaging features were compared between patients with and without iSBIs. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors of iSBIs. RESULTS We enrolled 274 patients with unilateral ICA stenosis ≥ 50% or occlusion. One hundred thirty-three patients had iSBIs to stenosed ICA (48.54%). One hundred thirty-seven patients had recent brain infarction on either side (50.0%). The patients with iSBIs had a lower level of high-density lipoprotein [OR 0.60, 95% CI (0.36-0.96), P = 0.045], higher prevalence of irregular/ulcer plaque [OR 10.71, 95% CI (4.60-24.95), P < 0.0001], and incompleteness of circle of Willis [OR 0.27, 95% CI (0.16-0.45), P < 0.0001] in all enrolled patients. In the patients without recent infarction on either side, lower level of high-density lipoprotein [OR 0.42, 95% CI (0.27-0.88), P = 0.031], higher prevalence of irregular/ulcer plaque [OR 12.73, 95% CI (4.13-39.22), P < 0.0001] and incompleteness of circle of Willis [OR 0.24, 95% CI (0.11-0.50), P = 0.004] were independently associated with iSBIs. The results were similar in ICA stenosis patients with recent brain infarction on either side. CONCLUSION In patients with carotid stenosis, incompleteness of circle of Willis, irregular/ulcer plaque, and lower level of high-density lipoprotein were independently associated with old iSBIs.
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Yuan X, Guo L, Wang J, Wang D, Yang S, Guo F. Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100 calcium-binding protein B correlates cerebral vessel reactivity following carotid artery stenting. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16366. [PMID: 34381130 PMCID: PMC8358004 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95867-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Using detection markers in serum has the advantages of simplicity, repeatability and the capability. This study combined the use of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B protein (S100B) with imaging tools to confirm the role of serum biomarkers in evaluating the cerebral vessel reactivity after carotid artery stenting (CAS). After CAS, the serum concentrations of GFAP and S100B increased to the peak at 24 h after operation, and then gradually decreased. The mean flow velocity (MFV) (pre-operation, post-operation, 30 days follow-up: 47.65 ± 17.24 cm/s, 62.37 ± 18.25 cm/s, 70.29 ± 16.89 cm/s; P < 0.05) and pulsatility index (PI) (pre-operation, post-operation, 30 days follow-up: 0.78 ± 0.21, 0.98 ± 0.19, 1.02 ± 0.20; P < 0.05) increased significantly in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery after CAS. At the 30-day follow-up, the cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) (post-operation, 30 days follow-up: 27.47 ± 12.13 cm/s, 31.92 ± 10.94 cm/s; P < 0.05) improved significantly. In patients with different degrees of stenosis, the more severe the stenosis in the carotid artery, the more obvious the improvement of CVR at the 30 days of follow-up (CVR changes: 11.08 ± 7.95 cm/s, Kendall’s tau-b = 0.645, P < 0.001). And the serum concentrations of GFAP (r = − 0.629, P < 0.0001) and S100B (r = − 0.604, P < 0.0001) correlated negatively with CVR at 30 days after CAS. Therefore, we recommend using the biomarkers GFAP and S100B associated with imaging tools such as transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the cerebral vessel reactivity following CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Yuan
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Jianhong Wang
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Duozi Wang
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Shu Yang
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Fuqiang Guo
- Neurology Department, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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26
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Jiang M, Zhao Y, Chiu B. Segmentation of common and internal carotid arteries from 3D ultrasound images based on adaptive triple loss. Med Phys 2021; 48:5096-5114. [PMID: 34309866 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Vessel wall volume (VWV) and localized vessel-wall-plus-plaque thickness (VWT) measured from three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) carotid images are sensitive to anti-atherosclerotic effects of medical/dietary treatments. VWV and VWT measurements require the lumen-intima (LIB) and media-adventitia boundaries (MAB) at the common and internal carotid arteries (CCA and ICA). However, most existing segmentation techniques were capable of segmenting the CCA only. An approach capable of segmenting the MAB and LIB from the CCA and ICA was required to accelerate VWV and VWT quantification. METHODS Segmentation for CCA and ICA was performed independently using the proposed two-channel U-Net, which was driven by a novel loss function known as the adaptive triple Dice loss (ADTL) function. The training set was augmented by interpolating manual segmentation along the longitudinal direction, thereby taking continuity of the artery into account. A test-time augmentation (TTA) approach was applied, in which segmentation was performed three times based on the input axial images and its flipped versions; the final segmentation was generated by pixel-wise majority voting. RESULTS Experiments involving 224 3DUS volumes produce a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 95.1% ± 4.1% and 91.6% ± 6.6% for the MAB and LIB, in the CCA, respectively, and 94.2% ± 3.3% and 89.0% ± 8.1% for the MAB and LIB, in the ICA, respectively. TTA and ATDL independently contributed to a statistically significant improvement to all boundaries except the LIB in ICA. CONCLUSIONS The proposed two-channel U-Net with ADTL and TTA can segment the CCA and ICA accurately and efficiently from the 3DUS volume. Our approach has the potential to accelerate the transition of 3DUS measurements of carotid atherosclerosis to clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Jiang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Bernard Chiu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Smetana KS, Zakeri A, Dolia J, Huttinger A, May CC, Youssef P, Gross BA, Nimjee SM. Management of tandem occlusions in patients who receive rtPA. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2021; 52:1182-1186. [PMID: 34160743 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-021-02510-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tandem occlusions exist in 17-32% of large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes. A significant concern is bleeding when carotid stenting is performed in tandem with thrombectomy due the administration of antiplatelet agents such as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GP2b3aI) after receiving rtPA, but data are limited in this setting. METHODS A mutlicenter, retrospective chart review was conducted at two comprehensive stroke centers to assess the safety and efficacy of using GP2b3aI to facilitate carotid stent placement simultaneously with endovascular thrombectomy in patients who have received rtPA. RESULTS Overall, 32 patients were included in this study, with average age of 66.3 ± 10.4 years and predominantly male (87.5%). The cause of stroke was mostly large artery atherosclerosis (59.4%) and the thrombectomy target vessels were typically first- or second segment middle cerebral artery (37.5% and 31.3%). Time from symptom onset to rtPA bolus was 1.8 h [interquartile range (IQR) 1.5-2.7], rtPA bolus to first pass was 2 h [IQR 1.5-3.1], rtPA bolus to GP2b3aI bolus was 2 h [IQR 1.6-3.5], and rtPA bolus to aspirin and clopidogrel administration was 4.3 h [IQR 2.6-8.9] and 6.6 h [IQR 4.5-11.6] respectively. No patients had acute in-stent thrombosis or post-op bleeding from the access site. Two patients (6.3%) had significant hemorrhagic conversion. CONCLUSION The use of GP2b3aI in the setting of tandem occlusions that required emergent stent placement post-rtPA appears safe and effective. Given the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and need to be confirmed in a larger patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keaton S Smetana
- Department of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Amanda Zakeri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jaydevsinh Dolia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Casey C May
- Department of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Patrick Youssef
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Bradley A Gross
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shahid M Nimjee
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Larson AS, Brinjikji W, Savastano L, Rabinstein AA, Saba L, Huston J, Benson JC. Carotid Intraplaque Hemorrhage and Stenosis: At What Stage of Plaque Progression Does Intraplaque Hemorrhage Occur, and When is It Most Likely to Be Associated with Symptoms? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:1285-1290. [PMID: 33888452 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The relationship between carotid intraplaque hemorrhage and luminal stenosis severity is not well-established. We sought to determine whether intraplaque hemorrhage is related to carotid stenosis and at what degree of stenosis intraplaque hemorrhage most likely contributes to ischemic symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent MR carotid plaque imaging with MPRAGE sequences to identify intraplaque hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Degrees of stenoses were categorized as minimal (<30%), moderate (30%-69%), and severe (>70%). Arteries were categorized into 2 groups: symptomatic (ipsilateral to a cerebral ischemic event) and asymptomatic (from a patient without an ischemic event). Multiple regression analyses were used to determine independent associations between the degree of stenosis and intraplaque hemorrhage and the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage with symptoms among categories of stenosis. RESULTS We included 449 patients with 449 carotid arteries: Two hundred twenty-five (50.1%) were symptomatic, and 224 (49.9%) were asymptomatic. An increasing degree of stenosis was independently associated with the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (OR = 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03). Intraplaque hemorrhage was independently associated with ischemic events in arteries with <30% stenosis (OR = 5.68; 95% CI, 1.49-21.69). No such association was observed in arteries with >30% stenosis. Of symptomatic arteries with minimal stenosis, 8.7% had intraplaque hemorrhage versus 1.7% of asymptomatic arteries (P = .02). No differences in intraplaque hemorrhage prevalence were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups with moderate (P = .18) and severe stenoses (P = .99). CONCLUSIONS The presence of intraplaque hemorrhage on high-resolution plaque imaging is likely most useful in identifying symptomatic plaques in cases of minimal stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Larson
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., J.H., J.C.B.) .,Neurosurgery (A.S.L., W.B., L. Savastano)
| | - W Brinjikji
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., J.H., J.C.B.).,Neurosurgery (A.S.L., W.B., L. Savastano)
| | | | | | - L Saba
- Department of Radiology (L. Saba), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - J Huston
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., J.H., J.C.B.)
| | - J C Benson
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.S.L., W.B., J.H., J.C.B.)
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29
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Predictors for High-Risk Carotid Plaque in Asymptomatic Korean Population. Cardiovasc Ther 2020; 2020:6617506. [PMID: 33456499 PMCID: PMC7787813 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6617506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims High-risk carotid plaque remains an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We sought to evaluate the characteristics of carotid plaque and to find out the predictors for high-risk carotid plaque in asymptomatic Koreans. Methods Subjects (n = 801) without a history of ASCVD from 12 university hospitals in Korea underwent carotid ultrasound. The images were standardized at core laboratory. Morphologic characteristics of plaque were analyzed with laboratory and clinical characteristics. High-risk carotid plaque features included the highest quartile of carotid plaque score (cPS), irregular plaque surface, and hypoechoic and ulcerated plaque. Results The carotid plaque prevalence was 22.1% (177/801 persons, 293 plaques). The plaque was increased with age (p < 0.001) and conventional ASCVD risk estimator (p < 0.001) and the most frequently found in bulb (n = 190, 64.8%). The number of the highest quartile of cPS was 44/177 (24.9%). Irregular plaque was seen in 20.8% out of total plaque (61/293) and was more frequent in the high-risk 10-year ASCVD risk group than in the low-risk group (36.1% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.023). Hypoechoic and ulcerated plaques were seen in 14.3% (42/293) and 2% (6/293), respectively. The independent predictors for high-risk plaque were age (β = 0.052, p < 0.001), HbA1c (β = 0.182, p = 0.004), male (β = 0.118, p = 0.006), hypertension (β = 0.090, p = 0.032), and multiple plaques (OR: 4.810 (two plaques) and 8.621 (three plaques), all p < 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that high-risk carotid plaque was seen in 12.4% (99/801). The high-risk plaque was associated with diabetes control status reflected by the HbA1c level as well as traditional risk factors in asymptomatic Korean population.
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Psychogios K, Magoufis G, Kargiotis O, Safouris A, Bakola E, Chondrogianni M, Zis P, Stamboulis E, Tsivgoulis G. Ultrasound Assessment of Extracranial Carotids and Vertebral Arteries in Acute Cerebral Ischemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56120711. [PMID: 33353035 PMCID: PMC7765801 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56120711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Assessing ischemic etiology and mechanism during the acute phase of an ischemic stroke is crucial in order to tailor and monitor appropriate treatment and determine prognosis. Cervical Duplex Ultrasound (CDU) has evolved since many years as an excellent screening tool for the evaluation of extracranial vasculature. CDU has the advantages of a low cost, easily applicable, bed side examination with high temporal and spatial resolution and without exposing the patients to any significant complications. It represents an easily repeatable test that can be performed in the emergency room as a first-line examination of cervical artery pathology. CDU provides well validated estimates of the type of the atherosclerotic plaque, the degree of stenosis, as well as structural and hemodynamic information directly about extracranial vessels (e.g., subclavian steal syndrome) and indirectly about intracranial circulation. CDU may also aid the diagnosis of non-atherosclerotic lesions of vessel walls including dissections, arteritis, carotid-jugular fistulas and fibromuscular dysplasias. The present narrative review outlines all potential applications of CDU in acute stroke management and also highlights its potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klearchos Psychogios
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.B.); (M.C.)
- School of Medicine, University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Magoufis
- Department of Interventional Neuroradiology, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece;
| | - Odysseas Kargiotis
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Apostolos Safouris
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Maria Chondrogianni
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Panagiotis Zis
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus;
| | - Elefterios Stamboulis
- Acute Stroke Unit, Metropolitan Hospital, 18547 Piraeus, Greece; (K.P.); (O.K.); (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.B.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated stroke disparities across race and ethnic groups. The goal of the NOMAS (Northern Manhattan Study) was to evaluate race and ethnic differences in stroke within a community with 3 different race-ethnic groups. Starting as a population-based incidence and case-control study, the study evolved into a cohort study. Results from NOMAS have demonstrated differences in stroke incidence, subtypes, risk factors, and outcomes. Disparities in ideal cardiovascular health can help explain many differences in stroke incidence and call for tailored risk factor modification through innovative portals to shift more diverse subjects to ideal cardiovascular health. The results of NOMAS and multiple other studies have provided foundational data to support interventions. Conceptual models to address health disparities have called for moving from detecting disparities in disease incidence, to determining the underlying causes of disparities and developing interventions, and then to testing interventions in human populations. Further actions to address race and ethnic stroke disparities are needed including innovative risk factor interventions, stroke awareness campaigns, quality improvement programs, workforce diversification, and accelerating policy changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph L Sacco
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, FL
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32
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Lattanzi S, Rinaldi C, Pulcini A, Corradetti T, Angelocola S, Zedde ML, Ciliberti G, Silvestrini M. Clinical phenotypes of embolic strokes of undetermined source. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:297-300. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cademartiri F, Balestrieri A, Cau R, Punzo B, Cavaliere C, Maffei E, Saba L. Insight from imaging on plaque vulnerability: similarities and differences between coronary and carotid arteries-implications for systemic therapies. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2020; 10:1150-1162. [PMID: 32968666 DOI: 10.21037/cdt-20-528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays it is widely accepted that the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque in coronary and carotid arteries plays a fundamental role in the development of acute myocardial infarctions or cerebrovascular events. In recent years, imaging techniques have explored, with a new level of detail, the atherosclerotic disease generating new evidences that some plaque characteristics are significantly associated to the risk of rupture and subsequent thrombosis or embolization. Moreover, the recent evidence of the anti-atherosclerotic effects determined by lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapies poses a challenge for the choice of therapeutic approaches (best/optimal medical therapy vs. revascularization), maximized by the evidence that coronary and carotid atherosclerosis share common patterns but also differ regarding some important features. In this Review, we discuss the similarities and differences between coronary and carotid artery vulnerable plaque from the imaging point of view and the potential implications for systemic therapies according to the emerging evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riccardo Cau
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Bruna Punzo
- Department of Radiology, SDN IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Erica Maffei
- Department of Radiology, Area Vasta 1, ASUR Marche, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Singh N, Marko M, Ospel JM, Goyal M, Almekhlafi M. The Risk of Stroke and TIA in Nonstenotic Carotid Plaques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:1453-1459. [PMID: 32646945 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe carotid stenosis carries a high risk of stroke. However, the risk of stroke with nonstenotic carotid plaques (<50%) is increasingly recognized. PURPOSE We aimed to summarize the risk of TIA or stroke in patients with nonstenotic carotid plaques. DATA SOURCES We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke in whom carotid imaging was performed using MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database, including studies published up to December 2019. STUDY SELECTION Included studies had >10 patients with <50% carotid plaques on any imaging technique and reported the incidence or recurrence of ischemic stroke/TIA. High-risk plaque features and the risk of progression to stenosis >50% were extracted if reported. DATA SYNTHESIS We identified 31 studies reporting on the risk of ipsilateral stroke/TIA in patients with nonstenotic carotid plaques. Twenty-five studies (n = 13,428 participants) reported on first-ever stroke/TIA and 6 studies (n = 122 participants) reported on the recurrence of stroke/TIA. DATA ANALYSIS The incidence of first-ever ipsilateral stroke/TIA was 0.5/100 person-years. The risk of recurrent stroke/TIA was 2.6/100 person-years and increased to 4.9/100 person-years if intraplaque hemorrhage was present. The risk of progression to severe stenosis (>50%) was 2.9/100 person-years (8 studies, n = 448 participants). LIMITATIONS Included studies showed heterogeneity in reporting stroke etiology, the extent of stroke work-up, imaging modalities, and classification systems used for characterizing carotid stenosis. CONCLUSIONS The risk of recurrent stroke/TIA in nonstenotic carotid plaques is not negligible, especially in the presence of high-risk plaque features. Further research is needed to better define the significance of nonstenotic carotid plaques for stroke etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Singh
- From the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences (N.S., M.M., J.M.O., M.G., M.A.), and Diagnostic Imaging (M.G., M.A.), Foothills Medical Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - M Marko
- From the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences (N.S., M.M., J.M.O., M.G., M.A.), and Diagnostic Imaging (M.G., M.A.), Foothills Medical Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Neurology (M.M.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J M Ospel
- From the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences (N.S., M.M., J.M.O., M.G., M.A.), and Diagnostic Imaging (M.G., M.A.), Foothills Medical Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Radiology (J.M.O.), University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M Goyal
- From the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences (N.S., M.M., J.M.O., M.G., M.A.), and Diagnostic Imaging (M.G., M.A.), Foothills Medical Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - M Almekhlafi
- From the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences (N.S., M.M., J.M.O., M.G., M.A.), and Diagnostic Imaging (M.G., M.A.), Foothills Medical Center, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Baud JM, Stanciu D, Yeung J, Maurizot A, Chabay S, de Malherbe M, Chadenat ML, Bachelet D, Pico F. Contrast enhanced ultrasound of carotid plaque in acute ischemic stroke (CUSCAS study). Rev Neurol (Paris) 2020; 177:115-123. [PMID: 32653212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Carotid atherosclerosis represents 8 to 15% of ischemic strokes in relation to the concept of "vulnerable" plaque. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can detect moving microbubbles within the plaque corresponding to neovessels that constitute "precursors" of vulnerable plaque and intraplaque hemorrhage. CEUS was not studied specifically in acute ischemic strokes. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence of CEUS carotid plaque ipsilateral at the ischemic stroke as well as the main characteristics of contrast-plaques. METHOD A single-centre prospective pilot study involving 33 consecutive patients with a stroke ≤10 days, diagnosed by an MRI with positive diffusion sequence and having a carotid plaque thickness ≥2.5mm with low or heterogeneous echogenicity, located in the ipsilateral carotid territory at the stroke. Plaque echogenicity was done by visual analysis and by measurement of the gray scale median (GSM). A transcranial Doppler monitoring was carried out in search of HITS. The contrast ultrasound was performed after 2.5 cc IV injection of SonoVue®. A video clip was recorded after injection which was used for interpretation by visual analysis in 3 grades, provided by two independent expert readers. RESULTS The population consisted of 10 women and 23 men aged 73 on average. The topography of strokes in the carotid territory was located on the right in 11 (33%) cases and on the left in 22 (67%) cases. Seventeen patients had carotid stenosis between 0 and 49% according to the Nascet method and 16 patients had stenosis of 50 to 99%. The visual characterisation of the plaques had echolucent dominance (Type 1-2) in 18 cases and echogenic dominance (Type 3-4a) in 15 cases. Cardiovascular risk factors were common with no difference by sex. The inter-observer agreement of plaque enhancement was moderate in first reading (k=0.48) and excellent at consensus (k=0.91). Only one disagreement was found. Contrast agent enhancement of carotid plaque was observed in 11/32 patients, representing a prevalence of 34.4% - CI95% [17.9-50.9]. Variables associated with contrast plaque included the absence of antiplatelet drug (63.6% vs. 23.8%, P=0.05) and the presence of a regular edge on the plaque (91% vs. 48%, P=0.04). There was no difference in contrast enhancement for stenosis>or<50% in diameter and neither for the type of plaque. CONCLUSION In a consecutive cohort of 33 patients, the prevalence of CEUS from an ipsilateral carotid plaque to a recent acute ischemic stroke was 34.4%. There was a statistically significant association between the contrast enhancement of the plaque and the absence of antiplatelet drug (P=0.05) and also the presence of a regular edge on the plaque (P=0.04). There was no correlation between plaque contrast and clinical and biological characteristics of patients or the presence of HITS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Baud
- Vascular Medicine Unit, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 177, rue de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France.
| | - D Stanciu
- Department of Neurology and stroke centre, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - J Yeung
- Department of Neurology and stroke centre, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - A Maurizot
- Vascular Medicine Unit, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 177, rue de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - S Chabay
- Vascular Medicine Unit, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 177, rue de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - M de Malherbe
- Department of Radiology, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - M-L Chadenat
- Department of Neurology and stroke centre, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - D Bachelet
- Direction of clinical research and innovation, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France
| | - F Pico
- Department of Neurology and stroke centre, centre hospitalier de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay, France; Versailles Saint-Quentin-en Yvelines university, 78000 Versailles, France
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Li W, Zhao J, Song L, Chen S, Liu X, Wu S. Combined effects of carotid plaques and hypertension on the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Clin Cardiol 2020; 43:715-722. [PMID: 32400055 PMCID: PMC7368304 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both hypertension and atherosclerotic plaques are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). HYPOTHESIS This study aimed to investigate whether the combined effects of carotid plaques and hypertension increase the risks of CVD and all-cause mortality. METHODS Patients from the stroke and elderly cohorts of the Kailuan study in China who completed a carotid sonography examination were included in the study. Participants in both cohorts underwent physical examinations between 2010 and 2011 and were divided into four groups: no carotid plaques with normal blood pressure (n = 2227), hypertension only (n = 1290), carotid plaques only (n = 1128), and hypertension with carotid plaques (n = 1862). The outcomes included the first occurrence of CVD and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Among the 6507 participants (mean age, 58.1 ± 11.8 years, 61% males), 157 cardiovascular events, and 210 deaths occurred after average follow-ups of 4.5 and 4.9 years, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, carotid plaques only and hypertension with carotid plaques were associated with excess risk (hazard ratio [HR]; confidence interval [CI]) for the first occurrence of CVD (HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.01-3.44; and HR = 2.97; 95% CI, 1.66-5.29, respectively), cerebral infarction (HR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.16-6.15; and HR = 4.15; 95% CI, 1.87-9.19, respectively), and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.16-3.31; and HR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.09-3.13, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The combination of hypertension and atherosclerotic plaques may increase the risk of CVD events and all-cause mortality, especially cerebral infarction, compared with participants without those factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Sixth People's Eastern Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqiu Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Anting Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Song
- Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital Affiliated to North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Shuohua Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital Affiliated to North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xuemei Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shouling Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital Affiliated to North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
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37
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Baradaran H, Gupta A. Carotid Vessel Wall Imaging on CTA. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:380-386. [PMID: 32029468 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vessel wall imaging has been increasingly used to characterize plaque beyond luminal narrowing to identify patients who may be at the highest risk of cerebrovascular ischemia. Although detailed plaque information can be obtained from many imaging modalities, CTA is particularly appealing for carotid plaque imaging due to its relatively low cost, wide availability, operator independence, and ability to discern high-risk features. The present Review Article describes the current understanding of plaque characteristics on CTA by describing commonly encountered plaque features, including calcified and soft plaque, surface irregularities, neovascularization, and inflammation. The goal of this Review Article was to provide a more robust understanding of clinically relevant plaque features detectable on routine CTA of the carotid arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Baradaran
- From the Department of Radiology (H.B.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - A Gupta
- Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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Yi X, Zhu L, Sui G, Li J, Luo H, Yu M, Wang C, Chen X, Wei W, Bao S. Inflammation and Endothelial Function Relevant Genetic Polymorphisms and Carotid Plaque in Chinese Population. J Atheroscler Thromb 2020; 27:978-994. [PMID: 31956237 PMCID: PMC7508723 DOI: 10.5551/jat.53074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To examine the association between carotid plaque and variants in genes involved in inflammation and endothelial function. Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional survey in southwestern China. The residents aged ≥ 40 years volunteered to participate in the face-to-face survey in eight communities. A total of 2,377 subjects with high stroke risk were enrolled. Carotid plaque and plaque phenotype were assessed by carotid ultrasound. Genotypes of 19 variants in 10 genes related to inflammation and endothelial function were examined. Gene-gene interaction was analyzed by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR). Results: Carotid plaques were found in 852 (35.8%) subjects, and 454 (53.3%) had stable plaques, whereas 398 (46.7%) had vulnerable plaques. PPARA rs4253655, HABP2 rs7923349, and IL1A rs1609682 were associated with the presence of carotid plaque, and NOS2A rs2297518 and PPARA rs4253655 were associated with vulnerable plaque in univariate analysis. The GMDR analysis revealed that there was a significant gene–gene interaction among HABP2 rs7923349, ITGA2 rs1991013, IL1A rs1609682, and NOS2A rs8081248, and the high-risk interactive genotype among the four variants was independently associated with a higher risk of carotid vulnerable plaque after adjusting the covariates (OR, 2.86, 95% CI: 1.32–7.13, P = 0.003). Conclusion: The prevalence of carotid plaque was very high in the high-risk stroke population in southwestern China. Variants in genes involved in the endothelial function and inflammation were associated with the carotid plaque. The high-risk interactive genotype among rs7923349, rs1991013, rs1609682, and rs8081248 was independently associated with a higher risk of vulnerable plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyang Yi
- Department of Neurology, the People's Hospital of Deyang City.,Department of Psychosomatic, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Ling Zhu
- Department of Psychosomatic, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Guo Sui
- Nursing department, People's Hospital of Deyang City
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Neurology, the People's Hospital of Deyang City
| | - Hua Luo
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Ming Yu
- Department of Neurology, the Suining Central Hospital
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Neurology, the People's Hospital of Deyang City
| | - Xiaorong Chen
- Department of Neurology, the Suining Central Hospital
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University
| | - Shaozhi Bao
- Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
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Li J, Li D, Yang D, Hang H, Wu Y, Yao R, Chen X, Xu Y, Dai W, Zhou D, Zhao X. Irregularity of Carotid Plaque Surface Predicts Subsequent Vascular Event: A MRI Study. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 52:185-194. [PMID: 31944452 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Li
- Department of RadiologyThe Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Dongye Li
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat‐Sen Memorial HospitalSun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China
| | - Dandan Yang
- Beijing Institute of Brain DisordersCapital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Hailun Hang
- Department of NeurologyNanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yawei Wu
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Medical CollegeYangzhou University Yangzhou China
| | - Rong Yao
- Department of RadiologyThe Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- Department of RadiologyBeijing Geriatric Hospital Beijing China
| | - Yilan Xu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical MedicineTsinghua University Beijing China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of NeurologyFourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of RadiologyThe Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical EngineeringTsinghua University School of Medicine Beijing China
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Choi GPT, Chiu B, Rycroft CH. Area-Preserving Mapping of 3D Carotid Ultrasound Images Using Density-Equalizing Reference Map. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2020; 67:2507-2517. [PMID: 31905128 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2019.2963783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques are focal and tend to occur at arterial bends and bifurcations. To quantitatively monitor the local changes in the carotid vessel-wall-plus-plaque thickness (VWT) and compare the VWT distributions for different patients or for the same patients at different ultrasound scanning sessions, a mapping technique is required to adjust for the geometric variability of different carotid artery models. In this work, we propose a novel method called density-equalizing reference map (DERM) for mapping 3D carotid surfaces to a standardized 2D carotid template, with an emphasis on preserving the local geometry of the carotid surface by minimizing the local area distortion. The initial map was generated by a previously described arc-length scaling (ALS) mapping method, which projects a 3D carotid surface onto a 2D non-convex L-shaped domain. A smooth and area-preserving flattened map was subsequently constructed by deforming the ALS map using the proposed algorithm that combines the density-equalizing map and the reference map techniques. This combination allows, for the first time, one-to-one mapping from a 3D surface to a standardized non-convex planar domain in an area-preserving manner. Evaluations using 20 carotid surface models show that the proposed method reduced the area distortion of the flattening maps by over 80% as compared to the ALS mapping method. The proposed method is capable of improving the accuracy of area estimation for plaque regions without compromising inter-scan reproducibility.
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Artas H, Okcesiz I. Three-dimensional ultrasonographic evaluation of carotid artery plaque surface irregularity. Arch Med Sci 2020; 16:58-65. [PMID: 32051706 PMCID: PMC6963133 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2018.81135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to evaluate 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) in determining the surface irregularity of carotid artery plaques. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 50 patients (20 females and 30 males) aged between 56 and 82 years with plaques in the carotid artery which were detected during routine neck ultrasound. Simultaneously these cases were evaluated in terms of plaque echogenicities and surface characteristics with 2D and 3D US. RESULTS 3D imaging was successfully performed in 45 of the 50 cases and the technical success rate was 90%. A single plaque was detected in 64.4% of the patients, with the remaining 35.6% having more than one plaque. The lengths of the plaques ranged from 2 to 12 mm (mean: 3.98 ±1.70 mm); the widths ranged from 1.8 to 3.2 mm (mean: 2.11 ±0.37 mm). No significant difference was found between 2D and 3D plaque echo-structures (observer 1, p = 0.317; observer 2, p = 0.276), but there were significant differences between 2D and 3D plaque surface irregularities (observer 1, p = 0.002; observer 2, p = 0.004). The inter-observer agreement on 2D and 3D plaque echo-structure and surface irregularity was very good (k coefficients were 0.89 and 0.83, respectively, for echo-structure, and 0.91 and 0.95, respectively, for surface irregularity). CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that 3D US examination is a valuable non-invasive method for investigation of surface irregularity of carotid artery plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Artas
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazığ, Turkey
| | - Izzet Okcesiz
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazığ, Turkey
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Rafailidis V, Chryssogonidis I, Grisan E, Xerras C, Cheimariotis GA, Tegos T, Rafailidis D, Sidhu PS, Charitanti-Kouridou A. Does Quantification of Carotid Plaque Surface Irregularities Better Detect Symptomatic Plaques Compared to the Subjective Classification? JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2019; 38:3163-3171. [PMID: 31066924 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the interobserver agreement of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for quantification of carotid plaque surface irregularities and to correlate objective and subjective measures with stroke occurrence. METHODS This work was an observational study involving 54 patients with 62 internal carotid artery or carotid bulb plaques (31 symptomatic) undergoing CDUS and CEUS between February 2016 and February 2018, with retrospective interpretation of prospectively acquired data. Plaques were included if causing moderate (50%-69%) or severe (70%-99%) stenosis based on velocity criteria, and their surface was classified as smooth, irregular, or ulcerated based on CEUS. The surface irregularities were quantified in the form of a surface irregularity index by 2 observers, based on CDUS and CEUS. The surface irregularity index was evaluated for interobserver agreement with CDUS and CEUS and correlated with the occurrence of stroke, as was the subjective characterization of the plaque surface. RESULTS Color Doppler ultrasound and CEUS showed good interobserver agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.979 and 0.952, respectively). Plaques were characterized as smooth in 30.6% of cases, irregular in 50%, and ulcerated in 19.4%. The subjective classification of the plaque surface did not correlate with stroke occurrence (P > .05, χ2 ). Surface irregularity index values were significantly higher for symptomatic plaques with both CDUS and CEUS (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Color Doppler ultrasound and CEUS can quantify carotid plaque surface irregularities with good interobserver agreement. The resulting quantitative measure was significantly higher in symptomatic plaques, whereas the subjective characterization of plaque surface failed to differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Rafailidis
- Department of Radiology, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Chryssogonidis
- Department of Radiology, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Enrico Grisan
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- School of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, England
| | - Chrysostomos Xerras
- First Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Grigorios-Aris Cheimariotis
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics, and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Thomas Tegos
- First Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Rafailidis
- Department of Radiology, G. Gennimatas General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paul S Sidhu
- Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, London, England
| | - Afroditi Charitanti-Kouridou
- Department of Radiology, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Wang D, Jackson EA, Karvonen-Gutierrez CA, Elliott MR, Harlow SD, Hood MM, Derby CA, Sternfeld B, Janssen I, Crawford SL, Huang MH, El Khoudary SR, Chae CU, Baylin A. Healthy Lifestyle During the Midlife Is Prospectively Associated With Less Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 7:e010405. [PMID: 30482079 PMCID: PMC6405552 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.010405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Measures of subclinical atherosclerosis are predictors of future cardiovascular outcomes as well as of physical and cognitive functioning. The menopausal transition is associated with accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in women. The prospective association between a healthy lifestyle during the midlife and subclinical atherosclerosis is unclear. Methods and Results Self‐reported data on smoking, diet, and physical activity from 1143 women in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation were used to construct a 10‐year average Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) during the midlife. Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis were measured 14 years after baseline and included common carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CCA‐IMT), adventitial diameter (CCA‐AD), and carotid plaque. The associations of average HLS with CCA‐IMT and CCA‐AD were estimated using linear models; the association of average HLS with carotid plaque was estimated using cumulative logit models. Average HLS was associated with smaller CCA‐IMT and CCA‐AD in the fully adjusted models (P=0.0031 and <0.001, respectively). Compared with participants in the lowest HLS level, those in the highest level had 0.024 mm smaller CCA‐IMT (95% confidence interval: −0.048, 0.000), which equals 17% of the SD of CCA‐IMT, and 0.16 mm smaller CCA‐AD (95% confidence interval: −0.27, −0.04), which equals 24% of the SD of CCA‐AD. Among the 3 components of the HLS, abstinence from smoking had the strongest association with subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusions Healthy lifestyle during the menopausal transition is associated with less subclinical atherosclerosis, highlighting the growing recognition that the midlife is a critical window for cardiovascular prevention in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqing Wang
- 1 Department of Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | | | | | - Michael R Elliott
- 3 Department of Biostatistics University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,4 Survey Research Center University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Siobán D Harlow
- 1 Department of Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Michelle M Hood
- 1 Department of Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Carol A Derby
- 5 Department of Neurology Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx NY.,6 Department of Epidemiology and Population Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx NY
| | | | - Imke Janssen
- 8 Department of Preventive Medicine Rush University Medical Center Chicago IL
| | | | - Mei-Hua Huang
- 10 Division of Geriatrics University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles CA
| | | | - Claudia U Chae
- 12 Cardiology Division Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA
| | - Ana Baylin
- 1 Department of Epidemiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,13 Department of Nutritional Sciences University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
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44
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Funakoshi Y, Imamura H, Tani S, Adachi H, Fukumitsu R, Sunohara T, Omura Y, Matsui Y, Sasaki N, Fukuda T, Akiyama R, Horiuchi K, Kajiura S, Shigeyasu M, Iihara K, Sakai N. Safety and efficacy of an open-cell stent and double-balloon protection for unstable plaques: analysis of 184 consecutive carotid artery stentings. J Neurointerv Surg 2019; 12:758-762. [PMID: 31719111 DOI: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-015393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In our institute, most cases of carotid artery stenosis are treated by carotid artery stenting (CAS) with an open-cell stent and double-balloon protection, even if plaques are unstable. This study was performed to examine the outcome of CAS with an open-cell stent and double-balloon protection for unstable plaques. METHODS A total of 184 CAS procedures in our institute between October 2010 and February 2018 were assessed. Ultrasonography findings of low-echo plaques, plaque ulceration, or both were defined as unstable plaques. A plaque-to-muscle ratio (PMR) of >1.8 on T1-weighted black blood imaging using spin-echo was also defined as an unstable plaque. Seventy-four unstable plaques on ultrasonography and 86 unstable plaques evaluated by PMR were included. Open-cell stents and double-balloon protection (proximal balloon protection during lesion crossing and distal balloon protection after lesion crossing) were used in all cases. RESULTS On ultrasonography, perioperative asymptomatic thromboembolization was significantly more frequent in the unstable plaque group (39/74, 52.7%) than in the stable plaque group (41/110, 37.3%, p=0.0384). Asymptomatic thromboembolization was also significantly more frequent in the PMR >1.8 group (44/86, 51.2%) than in the PMR <1.8 group (36/98, 36.7%, p=0.0489). However, symptomatic thromboembolization was rare (n=5, 2.7%), and all of these patients had minor stroke. During the 4-year follow-up, the risk of ipsilateral stroke was 0.28% and 0.27% per year in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of CAS with an open-cell stent and double-balloon protection are acceptable. This method is effective and safe, even if carotid artery stenosis comprises unstable plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Funakoshi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Imamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shoichi Tani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hidemitsu Adachi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryu Fukumitsu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tadashi Sunohara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Omura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuichi Matsui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Natsuhi Sasaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tatsumaru Fukuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryo Akiyama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Horiuchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shinji Kajiura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masashi Shigeyasu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koji Iihara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Sakai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
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Pelz JO, Weinreich A, Schob S, Saur D. Multiparametric 3D Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Assess Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Pilot Study. J Neuroimaging 2019; 30:82-89. [PMID: 31498524 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Extracranial internal carotid artery stenoses (ICASs) may greatly differ with respect to morphological and hemodynamical aspects. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the use of multiparametric 3-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D-CEUS) to comprehensively examine ICAS. METHODS Fifteen patients with moderate to severe ICAS were examined with multiparametric 3D-CEUS, power-mode 3D ultrasound (3DUS), color-coded duplex sonography (CDS), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (n = 9). Multiparametric 3D-CEUS comprised the assessment of the morphology and the stenotic degree of ICAS and the measurement of the ipsistenotic cerebral circulation time (CCT). RESULTS Multiparametric 3D-CEUS reliably visualized even complex aspects of ICAS such as ulcerated or heavily calcified plaques with high spatial resolution. When comparing the different methods to quantify ICAS, the intermethod agreement was good (ranging from poor to excellent) between 3D-CEUS and CDS, moderate (ranging from poor to good) between 3D-CEUS and DSA, and poor (ranging from poor to good) between CDS and DSA. The CCT was significantly longer in patients with ICAS than in healthy subjects (8.2 ± 1.5 seconds vs. 6.5 ± 1.3 seconds, P = .026). CONCLUSION In this pilot study, bedside multiparametric 3D-CEUS provided reliable estimations of different morphological and hemodynamical aspects of ICAS, thus ideally complementing CDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Otto Pelz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Weinreich
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Schob
- Department for Neuroradiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorothee Saur
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Jujić A, Östling G, Persson M, Engström G, Nilsson PM, Melander O, Magnusson M. Skin autofluorescence as a measure of advanced glycation end product levels is associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden in an elderly population. Diab Vasc Dis Res 2019; 16:466-473. [PMID: 31064217 DOI: 10.1177/1479164119845319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced glycation end product is an established risk marker in diabetic vascular disease, but its possible associations with atherosclerosis in a general population are yet to be investigated. We studied the degree of carotid atherosclerosis and its association with skin autofluorescence in an elderly population. METHODS Carotid ultrasound and skin autofluorescence measurements were performed in a subpopulation within the 'Malmö Diet and Cancer Cardiovascular Cohort' re-examination study (n = 523). Total plaque area including all prevalent plaques in the right carotid artery was calculated. Complete data on all variables were available for 496 subjects (mean age 72 years). RESULTS Each 1 standard deviation increment of skin autofluorescence was associated with increased risk of prevalent large plaques (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.66; p = 0.018) independently of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. The top versus bottom tertile of the skin autofluorescence was associated with an approximately twofold risk of being in the population with the highest plaque burden [top quartile with total plaque area ⩾ 35 mm2 (odds ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.39; p for trend = 0.027)] in fully adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION In an elderly population, skin autofluorescence was associated with increasing degree of carotid atherosclerosis measured as total plaque area, independently of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amra Jujić
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Gerd Östling
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Margaretha Persson
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Engström
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Peter M Nilsson
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olle Melander
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Martin Magnusson
- 1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- 2 Department of Cardiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
- 4 Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Jiang Y, Liu X, Du Y, Zhou S. rs1234313 and rs45454293 are risk factors of cerebral arterial thrombosis, large artery atherosclerosis, and carotid plaque in the Han Chinese population: a case-control study. BMC Neurol 2019; 19:31. [PMID: 30797237 PMCID: PMC6387510 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-019-1259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Stenosis or blockage of an artery from atherosclerosis can cause insufficient cerebral blood supply, which leads to ischemic stroke. It has been reported that the polymorphisms of TNFSF4 (tumor necrosis factor super family member 4) are associated with multiple autoimmune diseases. However, it is still unclear whether TNFSF4 gene polymorphisms are associated with ischemic stroke in the Han Chinese population. Here we analyzed the association between TNFSF4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and cerebral arterial thrombosis in the Han Chinese population. Method We consecutively recruited 481 patients with cerebral arterial thrombosis and 538 healthy controls. Neck ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to evaluate large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and small vessel disease (SVD), as well as the thickness and calcification of carotid artery. DNA was purified from the peripheral blood samples. TNFSF4 SNPs, rs1234313 and rs45454293, were genotyped using PCR. Results rs1234313 SNP had a significant correlation with the LAA and SVD subtypes in allelic (G vs A), dominate (GG/GA vs AA) and genotypic (GA vs AA; GG vs AA) models, as well as with the calcification of carotid plaque in dominant (GG/GA vs AA, p = 0.022) and genotypic (GA vs AA, p = 0.01) models. rs45454293 SNP had a significant correlation with the LAA and SVD subtypes in allelic (G vs A) and genotypic models, as well as with the thick carotid plaque in allelic (G vs A, p = 0.01) model. Conclusion TNFSF4 SNPs, rs1234313 and rs45454293, are associated with the risk of specific subtypes of cerebral arterial thrombosis in the Han Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, 230001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Du
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Shengnian Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, 107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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The Role of Carotid Ultrasonography in Patients with High Risk of Atherosclerosis. JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/jim-2018-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that most often affects the carotid arteries. Being usually asymptomatic in its early stages, it is diagnosed only in advanced stages, when treatment is more difficult and prognosis is poor. Carotid ultrasound (US) is the most commonly used method for diagnosing carotid artery disease and represents a proper method for screening in patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. This paper shows the methodology and necessity of carotid imaging methods in patients at high risk of developing atherosclerotic lesions. We also review the findings that underline the need of carotid screening in patients with ischemic heart disease or with ischemic arteriopathy, showing that the carotid arteries are like ‘mirrors’ of the arterial system, which need to be assessed in every patient with CV risk factors, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.
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The Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Carotid Artery Stenting among the Elderly: A Single-Center Study in China. Behav Neurol 2018; 2018:4707104. [PMID: 30298096 PMCID: PMC6157176 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4707104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared to carotid endarterectomy, carotid artery stenting (CAS) is reportedly associated with higher perioperative risks in elderly patients. To verify the long-term safety and efficacy of CAS with embolic protection in elderly patients, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with carotid stenosis treated between January 2003 and March 2010 at the Department of Neurology of a large university hospital in China. We included patients with symptomatic, moderate, or severe carotid stenosis of atherosclerotic etiology (other etiologies were excluded), with a disability score ≤ 3 on the modified Rankin Scale, and who received CAS instead of carotid endarterectomy. The clinical endpoints studied were stroke recurrence and all-cause death. The 84 patients included in this study (median follow-up, 8.08 years) were stratified according to age at surgery (<70 vs. ≥70 years), and no significant between-group difference was found regarding baseline characteristics. Of the 14 patients (16.67%) who experienced a defined clinical endpoint, 4 (7.14%) were aged <70 years and 10 (35.71%) were aged ≥70 years (P = 0.002). Overall mortality was 14.29% (12/84), with 3 (5.36%) and 9 (32.14%) deaths among patients aged <70 and ≥ 70 years, respectively (P = 0.002). Heart disease and cancer accounted for most deaths. The two groups did not differ regarding stroke recurrence, disability score, or rate of in-stent restenosis (blockage ≥ 50%), but patients aged ≥70 years had a higher risk of mortality (odds ratio, 8.3684; 95% confidence interval, 2.048–34.202; P = 0.003), and age was an independent risk factor for death (odds ratio, 20.054; 95% confidence interval, 3.094–129.987, P = 0.002). Among elderly patients in Southwest China, CAS can effectively prevent stroke recurrence without increasing the risk of stroke-related death, but the risk of all-cause death is higher, with age as an independent risk factor. Careful patient selection is of key importance in the treatment of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
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Correlation between hypertension and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in rural China: a population-based study. J Hum Hypertens 2018; 32:548-554. [DOI: 10.1038/s41371-018-0074-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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