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Zhao YC, Zhang J, Wang F, He YM, Xu MJ, Wang DH, Zhang M. Value of carotid intima thickness in assessing advanced carotid plaque vulnerability: a study based on carotid artery ultrasonography and carotid plaque histology. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2024; 14:1994-2007. [PMID: 38415155 PMCID: PMC10895139 DOI: 10.21037/qims-23-1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Background Research has shown that carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) could help to predict carotid plaque (CP) progression in patients with mild carotid stenosis. However, the debate continues as to the value of carotid intima thickness (CIT) in monitoring the development of CP in patients with severe carotid stenosis. This study sought to evaluate the relationships between CIT and the ultrasonic characteristics of CP and to analyze the value of CIT and the ultrasonic parameters of CP in assessing plaque vulnerability in advanced human carotid atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 55 individuals who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were included in the study (mean age: 65±7 years; female: 9.1%). CIMT and CIT were examined at the common carotid artery (CCA). Plaque textural features, such as the gray-scale median (GSM), superb microvascular imaging (SMI) level, and total plaque area (TPA), were also identified. A Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was performed to examine the relationship between CIT and the ultrasonic parameters of CP. The CIT of various plaque types was compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the diagnostic values of the ultrasound characteristics to evaluate CP vulnerability. Results The mean CIT of all the participants was 0.382±0.095 mm, the mean CIT of the participants with stable plaques was 0.328±0.031 mm, and the mean CIT of participants with vulnerable plaques was 0.424±0.106 mm (P<0.001). CIT was associated with the SMI level (Spearman's correlation coefficient: r=0.392, P=0.005), TPA (Spearman's correlation coefficient: r=0.337, P=0.012). Patients with thicker CIT had larger lipid cores, higher levels of plaque vulnerability, and more intraplaque hemorrhages (IPHs). The areas under the ROCs (AUCs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for CIMT, CIT, the SMI level, the GSM, the TPA, and the combined model for identifying vulnerable plaques were 0.673 (0.533-0.793), 0.849 (0.727-0.932), 0.771 (0.629-0.879), 0.669 (0.529-0.790), 0.858 (0.738-0.938), and 0.949 (0.854-0.990), respectively. Conclusions CIT was associated with both the histology and ultrasonic features of CP. CIT may be helpful in the detection of severe CP development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Chao Zhao
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jia Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yi-Ming He
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming-Jun Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Dong-Hai Wang
- Neurosurgery Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Qian H, Zhang Z, Tao Z, Xie Y, Yin Y, He W, Zhang L. Association of Circular RNAs levels in blood and Essential Hypertension with Carotid Plaque. Clin Exp Hypertens 2023; 45:2180020. [PMID: 36843004 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2023.2180020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As one of the essential hypertension (EH)-mediated target organ damage, carotid plaque is a crucial subclinical precursor for cardiovascular events. Therefore, it is vital to identify the risk factors and pathogenesis for EH with carotid plaque. METHODS Based on our previous microarray analysis, we selected four circRNAs as the candidate circRNAs and detected their expression levels in blood of 192 subjects (64 healthy controls, 64 EH patients, and 64 EH patients with carotid plaque) by qRT-PCR analysis. The regulatory mechanism of circRNAs involved in carotid plaque was predicted by bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS The level of hsa_circ_0124782 increased significantly and the levels of hsa_circ_0131618 and hsa_circ_0127342 decreased significantly in the EH group and EH with carotid plaque group compared with the control group (P < .05). Functional enrichment analysis showed that three circRNAs might be implicated in pathogenesis for carotid plaque. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the relationship between three circRNAs and carotid plaque, suggesting that they may serve as potential biomarkers for EH with carotid plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Qian
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zebo Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhenbo Tao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Ningbo Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanqing Xie
- Institute of Geriatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yueqi Yin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Wenming He
- Institute of Geriatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Institute of Geriatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Mohammadi T, Hooshanginezhad Z, Mohammadi B, Dolatshahi S. The association of stroke risk factors with the future thickness of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Neurol Res 2023; 45:818-826. [PMID: 37125820 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2023.2208484] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An advancing atherosclerotic plaque is a risk factor for stroke. We conducted this study to assess the relationship between risk factors of stroke with changing in the thickness of carotid plaques thickness evident on sonography. METHODS We carried out a secondary analysis of data from a study on carotid bifurcation plaques. Data were collected in the sonography laboratories of two university hospitals. In total, 564 (240; 42.6% men) patients with atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery with stenosis ≥ 30% evident on duplex sonography were included. We developed machine learning models using an extreme gradient boosting algorithm with Shapley additive explanation method to find important risk factors and their interactions. The outcome was a change in the carotid plaque thickness after 36 months, and the predictors were initial plaque thickness and the risk factors of stroke. RESULTS Two regression models were developed for left and right carotid arteries. The R-squared values were 0.964 for the left, and 0.993 for the right model. Overall, the three top features were BMI, age, and initial plaque thickness for both left and right plaques. However, the risk factors of stroke showed stronger interaction in predicting plaque thickening of the left carotid more than the right carotid artery. DISCUSSION The effect of each predictor on plaque thickness is complicated by interactions with other risk factors, particularly for the left carotid artery. The side of carotid artery involvement should be considered for stroke prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Mohammadi
- College of Science, School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Hooshanginezhad
- School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | | | - Sina Dolatshahi
- Shahid Rajaiee Heart Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Lu Y, Tian J, Wu L, Xia Q, Zhu Q. Low appendicular skeletal muscle index increases the risk of carotid artery plaque in postmenopausal women with and without hypertension/hyperglycemia: a retrospective study. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:379. [PMID: 37340377 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04076-w] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate whether the low appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI) is closely associated with the risk of carotid artery plaque (CAP) in postmenopausal women with and without hypertension/hyperglycemia stratified by body mass index (BMI) categories. METHODS A total of 2048 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 40-88 years were eventually enrolled in this retrospective study. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated by using segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. ASMI was defined as follows: appendicular skeletal muscle mass(kg)/[height(m)]2. CAP was assessed by B-mode ultrasound. We explored the association between ASMI quartiles or low skeletal muscle mass and the risk of CAP by using multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models. A potential nonlinear relationship was also tested using restricted cubic spline regression. RESULTS CAP was observed in 289/1074 (26.9%) normal-weight and 319/974 (32.8%) overweight/obese postmenopausal women. Individuals with CAP had significantly lower ASMI values than those without (P < 0.001). The ASMI value also showed a linear relationship with the CAP risk in postmenopausal women stratified by BMI category (Pfor non-linearity > 0.05). In comparison with the highest ASMI quartile, the lowest ASMI quartile was significantly associated with a high risk of CAP development in non-hypertensive individuals with normal weight (odds ratio [OR] = 2.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44 ~ 4.12) or overweight/obesity (OR = 4.82, 95% CI: 2.79 ~ 8.33), hypertensive individuals with normal weight (OR = 5.90, 95% CI: 1.46 ~ 11.49) or overweight/obesity (OR = 7.63, 95% CI: 1.62 ~ 35.86), non-hyperglycemic individuals with normal weight (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.54 ~ 4.43) or overweight/obesity (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.84 ~ 4.70), and hyperglycemic individuals with normal weight (OR = 6.66, 95% CI: 1.08 ~ 41.10) or overweight/obesity (OR = 8.11, 95% CI: 2.69 ~ 24.49). Moreover, low skeletal muscle was independently associated with the risk of CAP in postmenopausal women, regardless of the BMI category. CONCLUSION ASMI was inversely associated with the risk of CAP development in postmenopausal women, especially in patients with high blood sugar and/or hypertension, indicating that skeletal muscle mass maintenance may contribute to prevention of CAP in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Lu
- Health Examination Center, Huadong Sanatorium, No.67 Jinyuan Road, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianguang Tian
- Department of Science and Education, Huadong Sanatorium, No.67 Jinyuan Road, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangyu Wu
- Health Examination Center, Huadong Sanatorium, No.67 Jinyuan Road, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Xia
- Health Examination Center, Huadong Sanatorium, No.67 Jinyuan Road, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qinzhong Zhu
- Health Examination Center, Huadong Sanatorium, No.67 Jinyuan Road, Wuxi, 214065, People's Republic of China.
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Altamura C, Viticchi G, Rizzo AC, Maggio P, Brunelli N, Marcosano M, Lazzaro VD, Fiacco F, Agostoni EC, Silvestrini M, Vernieri F. Stroke territory and atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke patients with a history of migraine with aura. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1142424. [PMID: 36923493 PMCID: PMC10008946 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1142424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The mechanisms subtending the increased stroke risk in migraine with aura (MA) are not fully understood. Our study aims to evaluate if the clinical profile in stroke patients with MA differentiates from those without MA. Methods We retrieved the prospective registered electronic clinical dossiers of adult patients younger than 60 years with acute ischemic stroke admitted in four hospitals between January 2016 and June 2022. Patients were classified by the history of MA (MA+ and MA-). Results We identified 851 stroke patients (59 MA+, 6.9%). Compared to MA-, MA+ patients were characterized by younger age (44.0 ± 10.6 vs 50.1 ± 8.2 years), female sex (59.3% vs 29.0%), and affected by cryptogenic (OR 2.594 95% CI 1.483-4.537), and cerebellar stroke (OR 3.218 95% CI 1.657-6.250; p ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). After adjusting for age and sex, MA+ patients presented less frequently hypertension (OR 0.349 95% CI 0.167-0.470; p=0.005) and dyslipidemia (OR 0.523 95% CI 0.280-0.974; p = 0.041). After adjusting also for risk factors, the MA+ group had less frequently symptomatic large vessel stenosis (OR 0.126 95% CI 0.017-0,924; p = 0.042) and clinical atherosclerosis (OR 0.103 95% CI 0.014-0.761; p = 0.026), while intima-media thickness did not differ (p = 0.395). Discussion Cryptogenic and cerebellar stroke and fewer vascular risk factors and clinical atherosclerosis seem to characterize stroke patients with MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Altamura
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Headache and Neurosonology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy
- *Correspondence: Claudia Altamura ✉
| | | | - Angelo Cascio Rizzo
- Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Maggio
- Neurology Unit, ASST Bergamo Est, Seriate, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Brunelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Headache and Neurosonology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy
| | - Marilena Marcosano
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Headache and Neurosonology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, and Psychiatry, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fabrizio Vernieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Headache and Neurosonology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy
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Niculescu R, Russu E, Arbănași EM, Kaller R, Arbănași EM, Melinte RM, Coșarcă CM, Cocuz IG, Sabău AH, Tinca AC, Stoian A, Vunvulea V, Mureșan AV, Cotoi OS. Carotid Plaque Features and Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictors of Restenosis and Mortality Following Carotid Endarterectomy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113934. [PMID: 36360814 PMCID: PMC9654888 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is the first-line surgical intervention for cases of severe carotid stenoses. Unfortunately, the restenosis rate is high after CEA. This study aims to demonstrate the predictive role of carotid plaque features and inflammatory biomarkers (monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI)) in carotid restenosis and mortality at 12 months following CEA. METHODS The present study was designed as an observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study and included all patients over 18 years of age with a minimum of 70% carotid stenosis and surgical indications for CEA admitted to the Vascular Surgery Clinic, Emergency County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania between 2018 and 2021. RESULTS According to our results, the high pre-operative values of inflammatory biomarkers-MLR (OR: 10.37 and OR: 6.11; p < 0.001), NLR (OR: 34.22 and OR: 37.62; p < 0.001), PLR (OR: 12.02 and OR: 16.06; p < 0.001), SII (OR: 18.11 and OR: 31.70; p < 0.001), SIRI (OR: 16.64 and OR: 9.89; p < 0.001), and AISI (OR: 16.80 and OR: 8.24; p < 0.001)-are strong independent factors predicting the risk of 12-month restenosis and mortality following CEA. Moreover, unstable plaque (OR: 2.83, p < 0.001 and OR: 2.40, p = 0.04) and MI (OR: 3.16, p < 0.001 and OR: 2.83, p = 0.005) were independent predictors of all outcomes. Furthermore, AH (OR: 2.30; p = 0.006), AF (OR: 1.74; p = 0.02), tobacco (OR: 2.25; p < 0.001), obesity (OR: 1.90; p = 0.02), and thrombotic plaques (OR: 2.77; p < 0.001) were all independent predictors of restenosis, but not for mortality in all patients. In contrast, antiplatelet (OR: 0.46; p = 0.004), statin (OR: 0.59; p = 0.04), and ezetimibe (OR:0.45; p = 0.03) therapy were protective factors against restenosis, but not for mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that higher preoperative inflammatory biomarker values highly predict 12-month restenosis and mortality following CEA. Furthermore, age above 70, unstable plaque, cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidemia were risk factors for all outcomes. Additionally, AH, AF, smoking, and obesity were all independent predictors of restenosis but not of mortality in all patients. Antiplatelet and statin medication, on the other hand, were protective against restenosis but not against mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Niculescu
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Mures Clinical County Hospital, 540011 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Eliza Russu
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Emil Marian Arbănași
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Réka Kaller
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Eliza Mihaela Arbănași
- Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Răzvan Marian Melinte
- Department of Orthopedics, Regina Maria Health Network, 540098 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Orthopedics, Humanitas MedLife Hospital, 400664 Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Cătălin Mircea Coșarcă
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Iuliu Gabriel Cocuz
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Mures Clinical County Hospital, 540011 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adrian Horațiu Sabău
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Mures Clinical County Hospital, 540011 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Andreea Cătălina Tinca
- Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Pathology, Mures Clinical County Hospital, 540011 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adina Stoian
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Vlad Vunvulea
- Department of Radiology, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adrian Vasile Mureșan
- Clinic of Vascular Surgery, Mures County Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Surgery, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Simion Cotoi
- Department of Pathology, Mures Clinical County Hospital, 540011 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
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Trajectories of Lipid Profile and Risk of Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14153243. [PMID: 35956420 PMCID: PMC9370402 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Early assessment of carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics is essential for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk stratification and prediction. We aimed to identify different trajectories of lipid profiles and investigate the association of lipid trajectories with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) progression in a large, longitudinal cohort of the Chinese population. Methods: 10,412 participants aged ≥18 years with ≥2 times general health checkups were included in this longitudinally prospective cohort study at Peking University Third Hospital. We used latent class trajectory models to identify trajectories of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) over follow-up time (757 days, IQR: 388–844 days). Results: Participants with carotid plaque were more likely to be older, male, have higher body mass index, have a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and have a higher level of blood pressure, TG, TC, and LDL-C, compared with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and normal group. Subjects were trichotomized according to different trajectory patterns into stable, moderate-stable, and elevated-increasing classes. TC ≥ 5.18 mmol/L and moderate-stable class (hazard ratio (HR): 1.416, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.285–1.559, p: 0.000), TG ≥ 1.70 mmol/L and moderate-stable class (HR: 1.492, 95% CI: 1.163–1.913, p: 0.002), TG ≥ 1.70 mmol/L and elevated-increasing class (HR: 1.218, 95% CI: 1.094–1.357, p: 0.000), LDL-C ≥ 3.36 mmol/L and stable class (HR: 1.500, 95% CI: 1.361–1.653, p: 0.000) were statistically significant associated with CAS progression compared with the reference group. Conclusions: Borderline elevated baseline lipid (TC, TG, and LDL-C) with stable and elevated-increasing trajectories were associated with CAS progression. Long-term strategies for low-level lipid are beneficial for ASCVD management.
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Brunelli N, Altamura C, Mallio CA, Lo Vullo G, Marcosano M, Bach-Pages M, Beomonte Zobel B, Quattrocchi CC, Vernieri F. Cerebral Hemodynamics, Right-to-Left Shunt and White Matter Hyperintensities in Patients with Migraine with Aura, Young Stroke Patients and Controls. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148575. [PMID: 35886428 PMCID: PMC9318654 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148575] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Background: Migraine with aura (MA) patients present an increased risk of cerebrovascular events. However, whether these patients present an increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) load compared to the general population is still under debate. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cerebral hemodynamics, right-to-left shunt (RLS) and WMHs in MA patients, young patients with cryptogenic stroke or motor transient ischemic attack (TIA) and controls. Methods: We enrolled 30 MA patients, 20 young (<60 years) patients with cryptogenic stroke/motor TIA, and 10 controls. All the subjects underwent a transcranial Doppler bubble test to detect RLS and cerebral hemodynamics assessed by the breath holding index (BHI) for the middle (MCA) and posterior (PCA) cerebral arteries. Vascular risk factors were collected. The WMHs load on FLAIR MRI sequences was quantitatively assessed. Results: The stroke/TIA patients presented a higher prevalence of RLS (100%) compared with the other groups (p < 0.001). The MA patients presented a higher BHI compared with the other groups in the PCA (p = 0.010) and higher RLS prevalence (60%) than controls (30%) (p < 0.001). The WMHs load did not differ across groups. BHI and RLS were not correlated to the WMHs load in the groups. Conclusions: A preserved or more reactive cerebral hemodynamics and the presence of a RLS are likely not involved in the genesis of WMHs in MA patients. A higher BHI may counteract the risk related to their higher prevalence of RLS. These results need to be confirmed by further studies to be able to effectively identify the protective role of cerebral hemodynamics in the increased RLS frequency in MA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Brunelli
- Headache and Neurosonology Unit, Neurology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.); (F.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Claudia Altamura
- Headache and Neurosonology Unit, Neurology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.); (F.V.)
| | - Carlo A. Mallio
- Radiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.M.); (G.L.V.); (B.B.Z.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Gianguido Lo Vullo
- Radiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.M.); (G.L.V.); (B.B.Z.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Marilena Marcosano
- Headache and Neurosonology Unit, Neurology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.); (F.V.)
| | - Marcel Bach-Pages
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK;
- FENIX Group International, LLC, Reading, PA 19601, USA
| | - Bruno Beomonte Zobel
- Radiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.M.); (G.L.V.); (B.B.Z.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Carlo Cosimo Quattrocchi
- Radiology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.M.); (G.L.V.); (B.B.Z.); (C.C.Q.)
| | - Fabrizio Vernieri
- Headache and Neurosonology Unit, Neurology Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation, 00128 Rome, Italy; (C.A.); (M.M.); (F.V.)
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Wu D, Cui G, Huang X, Chen Y, Liu G, Ren L, Li Y. An accurate and explainable ensemble learning method for carotid plaque prediction in an asymptomatic population. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 221:106842. [PMID: 35569238 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The identification of carotid plaque, one of the most crucial tasks in stroke screening, is of great significance in the assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis and preventing the onset of stroke. However, traditional ultrasound examination is not prevalent or cost-effective for asymptomatic people, particularly low-income individuals in rural areas. Thus, it is necessary to develop an accurate and explainable model for early identification of the risk of plaque prevalence that can help in the primary prevention of stroke. METHODS We developed an ensemble learning method to predict the occurrence of carotid plaques. A dataset comprising 1440 subjects (50% with plaques and 50% without plaques) and ten-fold cross-validation were utilized to evaluate the model performance. Four machine learning methods (extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), gradient boosting decision tree, random forest, and support vector machine) were evaluated. Subsequently, the interpretability of the XGBoost model, which provided the best performance, was analyzed from three aspects: feature importance, feature effect on prediction model, and feature effect on prediction decision for a specific subject. RESULTS The XGBoost algorithm provided the best performance (sensitivity: 0.8678, specificity: 0.8592, accuracy: 0.8632, F1 score: 0.8621, area under the curve: 0.8635) in carotid plaque prediction and also had excellent performance under missing data circumstances. Further, interpretability analysis showed that the decisions of the XGBoost model were highly congruent with clinical knowledge. CONCLUSION The model results are superior to those of state-of-the-art methods. Thus, it is a promising carotid plaque prediction tool that could be used in the primary prevention of stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guosheng Cui
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Huang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yining Chen
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guanzheng Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lijie Ren
- Department of neurology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Ye Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
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