急性脑梗死病人颈动脉软斑块与血浆中高敏C反应蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶9有关

目的 探讨颈动脉斑块性质及高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)与急性脑梗死的关系.方法 应用彩色多普勒超声仪检测急性梗死病人(n=31)及年龄相近的无症状颈动脉斑块病人(n=42)颈动脉内膜中膜厚度(IMT)、斑块类型,同时测定血清的hsCRP、MMP=9水平.结果 急性脑梗死组及无症状颈动脉斑块组颈动脉IMT均明显增厚,两组颈动脉狭窄率差异无统计学意义;急性脑梗死组斑块以软斑为主,无症状颈动脉斑块组以硬斑为主.急性脑梗死组各亚组hsCRP水平均高于无症状颈动脉斑块组相应的亚组[急性脑梗死组狭窄率≥50%亚组:(12.0±4.6)mg/L比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率≥50%亚组(9.3±4.4)mg/L,P<0.05;急性脑梗死组狭窄率<50%亚组(7.8±4.6)mg/L比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率<50%亚组(4.2±2.4)mg/L,P<0.05];颈动脉狭窄程度越高,血清hsCRP水平越高;无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率≥50%亚组:(9.3±4.4)mg/L比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率<50%亚组:(4.2±2.4)mg/L,P<0.05];急性脑梗死组MMP-9水平均高于无症状颈动脉斑块组[急性脑梗死组两个亚组(256.4±87.6)和(243.8±31.3)μg/L比无症状颈动脉斑块组两个亚组(158.6±76.4)和(147.4±26.4)μg/L,P<0.05];软斑病人hsCRP、MMP-9水平明显高于非软斑组[hsCRP,软斑组(12.2±3.1)比非软斑组(5.0±3.4)mg/L,P<0.01;MMP-9,软斑组(263.4±39.5)比非软斑组(152.6±51.7)μg/L,P<0.01].且软斑组hsCRP与MMP-9呈正相关(r=0.67,P<0.01).结论 软斑为急性脑梗死的重要危险因素;hsCRP与MMP-9增高,提示斑块软化破裂以及炎症因素是急性脑梗死重要发病机制.     

急性脑梗死病人颈动脉软斑块与血浆中高敏C反应蛋白、基质金属蛋白酶9有关

目的探讨颈动脉斑块性质及高敏 C 反应蛋白(hsCRF)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)与急性脑梗死的关系。方法应用彩色多普勒超声仪检测急性梗死病人(n=31)及年龄相近的无症状颈动脉斑块病人(n=42)颈动脉内膜中膜厚度(IMT)、斑块类型,同时测定血清的 hsCRP、MMP-9水平。结果急性脑梗死组及无症状颈动脉斑块组颈动脉 IMT 均明显增厚,两组颈动脉狭窄率差异无统计学意义;急性脑梗死组斑块以软斑为主,无症状颈动脉斑块组以硬斑为主。急性脑梗死组各亚组 hsCRP 水平均高于无症状颈动脉斑块组相应的亚组[急性脑梗死组狭窄率≥50%亚组:(12.0±4.6)mg/L 比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率≥50%亚组(9.3±4.4)mg/L,P<0.05;急性脑梗死组狭窄率<50%亚组(7.8±4.6)mg/L 比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率<50%亚组(4.2±2.4)mg/L,P<0.05];颈动脉狭窄程度越高,血清 hsCRP 水平越高;无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率≥50%亚组:(9.3±4.4)mg/L比无症状颈动脉斑块组狭窄率<50%亚组:(4.2±2.4)mg/L,P<0.05];急性脑梗死组 MMP-9水平均...     

双源CT冠状动脉成像联合腺苷负荷CT心肌灌注在诊断冠心病心肌缺血中的应用分析

目的 探讨双源CT冠状动脉定量分析联合腺苷负荷CT心肌灌注(CTP)扫描在诊断冠心病心肌缺血中的应用分析。方法 选择冠状动脉狭窄50%的冠心病患者68例(共计126支病变血管),行双源CT冠状动脉成像及腺苷负荷CTP,按照是否出现CTP异常分为CTP-组(70支)及CTP+组(56支),分析2组各个病变分支在最小管腔面积狭窄度、最小管腔直径狭窄度、斑块负荷、斑块体积、斑块最大厚度、病变长度、斑块性质及钙化积分方面的差异。结果 CTP-组与CTP+组脂质斑块体积和纤维-脂质斑块体积比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。CTP+组最小管腔面积狭窄度、最小管腔直径狭窄度、斑块负荷、斑块体积、斑块最大厚度、病变长度及钙化积分明显高于CTP-组,差异有统计学意义[(69.3±15.2)%vs(59.5±9.2)%,(63.3±10.5)%vs(55.8±5.5)%,(69.9±8.2)%vs(57.5±6.5)%,67.3mm3 vs 43.2mm3,11.5mmvs 6.2mm,2.5mmvs 2.0mm,(281.1±242.4)分vs(107.2±63.8)分,P0.05,P0.01)]。结论 双源CT冠状动脉成像联合腺苷负荷CTP不仅可以对冠状动脉进行解剖学分析,同样也可以对其进行功能学分析。     

心绞痛患者冠脉CT血管造影与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性分析

目的探讨冠状动脉CT血管造影(CTA)病变与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法选取2013年12月~2015年3月我院临床拟诊为冠心病心绞痛的患者236例为研究对象,对其进行冠脉CTA、颈动脉彩超检查,根据CTA结果,分析颈动脉病变与冠脉病变的关系,探讨冠状动脉斑块类型与颈动脉斑块性质的关系。结果两组颈动脉内膜厚度、颈动脉斑块数量比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。除冠状动脉钙化斑块计数与颈动脉软斑之间无相关性外,其余所有类型冠脉斑块计数均与颈动脉病变有相关性,冠状动脉非钙化斑块与颈动脉混合斑块、冠状动脉钙化斑块与颈动脉硬斑有显著相关性。结论在评价颈动脉斑块等危险因素的基础上选择是否进行冠脉CTA检查,既可以避免医疗资源的浪费,同时可以减轻患者的经济负担。     

血清骨桥蛋白与颈动脉斑块稳定性的关系

目的探究血清骨桥蛋白水平与颈动脉斑块稳定性的关系。方法选取98例近期诊断的颈动脉狭窄(≥1支颈动脉狭窄程度50%)患者为病例组,根据有无神经系统症状又分为症状性颈动脉狭窄47例和无症状性颈动脉狭窄51例;另选取同期健康体检者47例为对照组。应用ELISA法测定血清骨桥蛋白水平。分析血清骨桥蛋白与颈动脉斑块的关系。结果症状性颈动脉狭窄患者血清骨桥蛋白水平较无症状性颈动脉狭窄患者升高[(9.41±4.54)μg/L vs(7.71±3.25)μg/L,P=0.034]。病例组血清骨桥蛋白水平较对照组升高[(8.52±3.99)μg/L vs(6.90±2.69)μg/L,P=0.013]。病例组血清骨桥蛋白水平与体质量指数(r=0.245,P=0.015)、TC(r=0.277,P=0.006)、LDL(r=0.221,P=0.028)呈正相关、与颈动脉斑块稳定性(r=-0.249,P=0.013)呈负相关。logistic回归分析显示,血清骨桥蛋白水平是颈动脉不稳定斑块的独立危险因素(OR=1.136,95%CI:1.003~1.287,P=0.045)。结论骨桥蛋白可以作为颈动脉不稳定斑块的潜在标记物。     

CTA下颈动脉斑块负荷与前循环缺血性脑卒中远期复发事件的相关性研究

目的探讨急性前循环脑梗死患者远期卒中事件和CT血管(CT Angiography,CTA)下的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块影像学特征的相关性。方法分析106例急性前循环脑梗死患者,利用CTA影像测量斑块体积、狭窄程度、重塑指数及脂质核心体积等。随访3年后记录其远期缺血性脑卒中事件。利用多元逻辑回归分析,评估颈动脉斑块的影像学特征与终点事件的相关性。结果 106例患者中,向心性斑块64例(60.38%),离心性斑块32例(30.19%),斑块体积为(41.02±19.39)mm3,脂质核心体积为(24.17±21.52)mm3;共有32次缺血性脑卒中事件。脂质核心体积是缺血性脑卒中复发最重要的预测因素,脂质核心越大,随访期出现终点事件的可能性越大(OR=1.07,P0.01)。结论急性缺血性脑卒中的CTA影像可用于评估颈动脉斑块的多种特征,并用于远期卒中事件风险的预测,有利于制定合理的二级预防策略。     

冠心病与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性及应用阿托伐他汀干预的疗效

目的探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的相关性及应用阿托伐他汀治疗颈动脉斑块的疗效。方法选取冠心病患者80例,根据患者是否使用阿托伐他汀治疗分为他汀组及非他汀组,各40例,选取非冠心病者30例作为对照组。应用超声测量患者颈动脉内中层厚度(CIMT)并计算斑块积分,比较三组患者治疗3、6个月后CIMT及斑块积分变化情况以及斑块检出率。结果冠心病患者CIMT及斑块积分[(1.16±0.15)mm,8.12±5.18]明显高于对照组[(0.85±0.20)mm,2.65±1.68,P<0.05],冠状动脉重度狭窄者[(1.18±0.13)mm,9.27±3.26]与中度狭窄者[(1.12±0.15)mm,7.69±4.52],中度狭窄者与轻度狭窄者[(1.01±0.13)mm,5.28±4.39]差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。他汀组及非他汀组CIMT[(1.16±0.14),(1.15±0.16)mm]及斑块积分(8.45±4.35,7.85±5.26)明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。他汀组在应用阿托伐他汀治疗3个月后,CIMT及斑块积分[(1.13±0.16)mm,6.88±3.58]虽低于治疗前及同期非他汀组[(1.14±0.15)mm,7.18±4.59],但差异均无统计学差异(均P>0.05);在应用阿托伐他汀治疗6个月后,CIMT[(1.06±0.16)mm]及斑块积分(4.39±4.12)明显低于治疗3个月及治疗前(P<0.05),也明显低于同期非他汀组[(1.14±0.13)mm,6.89±4.73,P<0.05]。非他汀组及对照组在相关治疗3、6个月后CIMT及斑块积分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论颈动脉粥样硬化程度与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度息息相关,是冠心病高危预测因素之一。长期应用阿托伐他汀可以有效逆转血管狭窄,减少心血管事件发生。     

颈动脉斑块与老年广泛性脑萎缩并发认知功能障碍的相关性研究

目的探讨颈动脉斑块与老年广泛性脑萎缩并发认知功能障碍的相关性。方法选择连云港市第二人民医院就诊或体检发现的中、重度广泛性脑萎缩的老年患者45例,按认知功能分为:正常组15例、轻度认知功能损害(MCI)组15例和阿尔茨海默病(AD)组15例。所有受试者均接受颈动脉斑块检测,并分析颈动脉斑块与简易智能状态检查量表(MMSE)评分的关系。结果与正常组比较,AD组和MCI组颈动脉内膜中层厚度[(IMT)(2.37±0.28)mm和(2.35±0.13)mmvs(1.76±0.09)mm]及高回声斑块[(17.71±2.30)mm2和(18.96±2.12)mm2 vs(14.25±2.29)mm2]明显增加(P<0.05),MMSE评分[(5.80±3.53)分和(17.40±3.92)分vs(25.73±3.08)分]明显降低(P<0.05);与MCI组比较,AD组MMSE评分明显降低(P<0.05)。3组低回声及混合回声斑块平均面积差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。线性回归分析显示,IMT与MMSE评分呈负相关(P=0.000)。结论脑萎缩伴IMT或高回声斑块平均面积增多的患者易发生认知功能损害,IMT越高认知功能越低;颈部超声检查可视为老年脑萎缩患者并发认知功能损害的随访指标之一。     

老年脑梗死患者颈动脉彩超检查结果 分析

目的 分析彩色超声检测结果,以确定其在脑梗死患者诊断及治疗中的意义.方法 脑梗死患者及无心脑血管疾病患者各56例,均采用彩色超声行颈部动脉检测查.结果 脑梗死组有颈动脉粥样斑块,血管轻、中重度狭窄的比例明显高于对照组(P ＜0.05);Logistic回归分析结果 显示有颈动脉粥样斑块和血管狭窄程度越高的患者越容易患脑梗死(P＜0.05);脑梗死组软斑和硬斑,颈动脉交叉(BIF)处动脉粥样斑块的发生率明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 彩色超声检查结果 对于脑梗死的诊断和治疗具有重大意义.     

64层螺旋CTA评估颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内出血的应用价值

目的探索64层螺旋CTA评估颈动脉斑块内出血的应用价值。方法选择2014年9月至2015年6月于大连医科大学附属第二医院神经内科住院患者为研究对象,将经颈部血管彩超发现单侧或双侧颈动脉狭窄50%~99%的患者纳入本研究,对所有纳入研究的患者完成颈动脉MRI及CTA检查,并根据MRI检查结果将其分为斑块内出血(IPH)组和非IPH组,比较两组CTA影像学特点(包括斑块内CT值以及是否存在斑块溃疡)的差异性。结果单侧或双侧颈动脉狭窄50%~99%的患者97例,狭窄颈动脉共114条,其中存在IPH者67例,IPH的发生率约为58.8%。CTA检查结果示IPH组斑块内平均CT值为(87.13±14.82)HU,非IPH组为(35.17±12.47)HU,两组比较存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。CTA检查结果示IPH组存在斑块溃疡者53例(79.1%),非IPH组5例(10.6%);CTA评估斑块溃疡的敏感性为79.1%,特异性为89.4%,阳性预测值为91.4%,阴性预测值为75%,两组在是否存在斑块溃疡方面存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论对于存在MRI检查禁忌的患者,可使用CTA对颈动脉斑块进行评估,以斑块内CT值以及斑块溃疡作为评价指标,从而更好地指导下一步治疗。     

Expression of NF-κB,CD68 and CD105 in carotid atherosclerotic plaque

Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is associated with cerebrovascular events in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of inflammatory factors in carotid artherosclerotic plaques in order to explore its clinical significance in patients with carotid stenosis. Forty three patients with carotid stenosis were divided into symptomatic group (n=24) and asymptomatic group (n=19) based on clinical manifestation. All patients were treated with selective standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA); the carotid atherosclerotic plaques were removed surgically and studied pathologically to investigate the expression of nuclear factor-kappa κ (NF-κB), CD68 and CD105. The plaques were grouped into stable and unstable plaques based on thickness of the fibrous cap and the area of lipid-rich core in the plaques. The proportion of unstable plaques were significantly higher in symptomatic group than in asymptomatic group (70.8% vs. 63.2%, P=0.026). Results of immunohistochemisty staining showed that the expression of NF-κB, CD68 and CD105 in unstable plaques was higher than stable plaques (P<0.001). The association of the higher expression of these factors with instability of carotid plaque needs to be clarified in future study.KEYWORDS : Carotid stenosis, nuclear factor-kappa κ (NF-κB), CD68, CD105, vulnerable plaque     

缺血性脑血管病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块和狭窄的超声研究

目的观察缺血性脑血管病患者的颈动脉斑块性质、分布特点及狭窄情况,探讨颈动脉斑块和狭窄的分布规律。方法缺血性脑血管病患者340例,行颈部血管超声检查.其中短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)患者105例(TIA组),脑梗死患者235例(脑梗死组);又根据年龄分为青年组(54例),中年组(137例)和老年组(149例)。结果随年龄增加,缺血性脑血管病患者危险因素:高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、吸烟、家族史显著增加(P<0.01)。脑梗死组颈动脉内膜中层厚度明显高于TIA组(P<0.01);70%～99%血管狭窄斑块发生率高于50%～69%血管狭窄和<50%血管狭窄(P<0.01);老年组斑块发生率、颈动脉狭窄的发生率高于中年组及青年组(P<0.01)。结论超声检查显示不稳定斑块与缺血性脑血管病的关系更为密切,导致颈动脉狭窄的斑块中,以软斑块和混合性斑块多见。超声检查可以用于颈动脉狭窄患者的诊断及监测。     

血管内超声与光学相干断层扫描在冠状动脉临界病变中的长期随访对比研究

目的:研究血管内超声(intravenous ultrasound,IVUS)与光学相干断层扫描(optical coher-ence tomography,OCT)在冠状动脉临界病变中的长期随访研究。方法:共入选经过冠状动脉造影(至少4体位造影)证实病变狭窄处于临界病变的患者90例。将入选者按照2∶1随机分为:血管内超声组(IVUS)60例,光学相干断层成像(OCT)组30例。通过血管内超声定量分析最小管腔直径、参考血管直径、最小管腔面积等参数指标;通过光学相干断层扫描分析最小管腔直径、最小管腔面积。同时依据两组检查方法不同特征确定斑块的性质进行定性亚组分析:纤维性斑块、钙化斑块及脂质斑块等,对于高危易损斑块进行冠状动脉介入治疗,术后规律服用药物,观察两组术后住院期间、30d、3个月、9个月、1年和2年的主要心血管事件。采用COX回归模型分析两组2年内免于心血管事件的差异。结果:IVUS和OCT进行亚组软斑块分析,两组测得最小管腔直径分别为[(1.84±0.06)vs.(1.84±0.13)mm,P=0.947]。另外,在最小管腔面积方面两组分别为[(4.7±0.98)vs.(4.8±1.17)mm2,P=0.853]。OCT组通过分析软斑块纤维帽厚度为(94±24.72)μm。通过COX回归模型显示,两组在免于心血管事件的差异无统计学意义(P=0.826)。结论:对于临界病变的患者,采用IVUS或OCT成像系统能够更好的分辨血管内斑块性质,尤其易识别易损斑块。对于临界病变的患者,采用介入影像学方法进行测量分析是安全的、可靠的,能更好指导临床治疗。     

单侧颈内动脉起始部重度狭窄时侧支循环与缺血性脑血管事件的关系

目的探讨单侧颈内动脉起始部重度狭窄时各侧支循环代偿出现的概率与缺血性脑血管事件的关系。方法选择数字减影血管造影术发现单侧颈内动脉起始部狭窄>70%的患者46例,其中缺血性脑血管事件24例作为症状组;无缺血性脑血管事件22例作为无症状组。观察侧支循环的组成、Willis环是否变异及其组成血管的管径,分析侧支循环与缺血性脑血管事件的关系。结果 Willis环代偿是主要的侧支循环。症状组后环变异率明显高于无症状组(P<0.05);症状组前交通动脉的管径明显细于无症状组[(1.36±0.18)mmυs(1.52±0.18)mm,P<0.01]。结论单侧颈内动脉起始部重度狭窄患者是否出现缺血性脑血管事件与Willis环的代偿完整性有关,Willis环的代偿潜能与Willis环是否存在变异及前交通动脉、后交通动脉的管径有关。     

有症状颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉斑块的稳定性:高分辨率磁共振成像研究

目的 探讨高分辨率磁共振成像(high-resolution magnetic resonance inaging,HR-MRI)评价有症状颈动脉狭窄患者斑块稳定性的价值以及不稳定斑块和血管重度狭窄的危险因素.方法 纳入有症状颈动脉狭窄患者,通过HR-MRI评价有症状颈动脉狭窄患者颈动脉斑块成分判断斑块的稳定性.收集行颈动脉内膜切除术患者的颈动脉斑块进行病理学检查,比较术前HR-MRI与术后病 理学检查结果的一致性.收集所有患者的临床资料,分析颈动脉斑块稳定性和血管狭窄程度的危险因素.结果 共219例狭窄程度＞50％的有症状颈动脉狭窄患者接受HR-MRI检查.其中102例(46.6％)存在稳定斑块,117例(53.4％)患者存在不稳定斑块;118例(53.9％)中度狭窄,101例(46.1％)重度狭窄.35例患者接受颈动脉内膜切除术,其中19例(54.3％) HR-MRI显示斑块不稳定,20例(57.1％)病理学检查显示斑块不稳定,二者高度一致(κ =0.942,P＜0.001).不稳定斑块组男性(P=0.007)、高脂血症(P=0.013)、吸烟(P＜0.001)的患者构成比以及总胆固醇(P=0.001)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(P＜0.001)和空腹血糖(P=0.001)水平显著高于稳定斑块组.多变量logistw 回归分析显示,男性[优势比(odds ratio,OR)2.33,95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI) 1.08 ～ 5.04;P=0.032]、吸烟(OR 3.45,95％ CI 1.67～7.14;P=0.001)和空腹血糖水平较高(OR 1.26,95％ CI 1.07～1.48;P =0.006)是斑块不稳定的独立危险因素.中度狭窄组与重度狭窄组患者的所有资料均未显示出显著性差异.结论 HR-MRI能准确评估有症状颈动脉狭窄患者的斑块稳定性.性别、吸烟和空腹血糖增高是颈动脉不稳定斑块的独立危险因素.     

Assessment of carotid plaque vulnerability using structural and geometrical determinants

BACKGROUND: Because many acute cerebral ischemic events are caused by rupture of vulnerable carotid atheroma and subsequent thrombosis, the present study used both idealized and patient-specific carotid atheromatous plaque models to evaluate the effect of structural determinants on stress distributions within plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a finite element method, structural analysis was performed using models derived from in vivo high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of carotid atheroma in 40 non-consecutive patients (20 symptomatic, 20 asymptomatic). Plaque components were modeled as hyper-elastic materials. The effects of varying fibrous cap thickness, lipid core size and lumen curvature on plaque stress distributions were examined. Lumen curvature and fibrous cap thickness were found to be major determinants of plaque stress. The size of the lipid core did not alter plaque stress significantly when the fibrous cap was relatively thick. The correlation between plaque stress and lumen curvature was significant for both symptomatic (p=0.01; correlation coefficient: 0.689) and asymptomatic patients (p=0.01; correlation coefficient: 0.862). Lumen curvature in plaques of symptomatic patients was significantly larger than those of asymptomatic patients (1.50+/-1.0 mm(-1) vs 1.25+/-0.75 mm(-1); p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Specific plaque morphology (large lumen curvature and thin fibrous cap) is closely related to plaque vulnerability. Structural analysis using high-resolution MRI of carotid atheroma may help in detecting vulnerable atheromatous plaque and aid the risk stratification of patients with carotid disease.     

颈动脉易损斑块患者缺血性脑血管事件的随访研究

目的应用MRI对颈动脉斑块进行评价,研究斑块成分及危险因素与随后发生的缺血性脑血管事件之间的关系。方法经超声检查证实颈动脉狭窄率≥50%患者100例,并进行颈动脉MRI检查,分析斑块成分,随访观察是否发生缺血性脑血管事件。结果平均随访时间(12.8±4.6)个月,失访5例,共有12人次发生目标颈动脉供血区的缺血性脑血管事件。COX回归分析显示,斑块性质与随后发生的缺血性脑血管事件相关:薄的斑块纤维帽或破裂的斑块纤维帽与随后发生的缺血性脑血管事件相关,合并冠心病患者随后发生缺血性脑血管事件的风险高于无冠心病患者。结论斑块纤维帽形态及冠心病是预测缺血性脑血管事件的危险因素。     

三维超声血管斑块定量分析技术诊断颈动脉血管狭窄及斑块特征的应用

目的 探讨实时三维超声（real-time 3D ultrasound,RT-3DU）血管斑块定量分析（vascular plaque quantification,VPQ）技术诊断颈动脉血管狭窄及斑块特征的应用。 方法 对2020年1月~2021年1月于新疆医科大学第七临床医学院接受RT-3DU检查的颈动脉斑块患者40例（颈动脉斑块共57处）进行分析,应用RT-3DU VPQ技术检测颈动脉相关参数,同时应用动脉CT血管造影术检测颈动脉狭窄程度,比较分析两种方式诊断颈动脉狭窄程度的一致性。 结果 在40例颈动脉斑块患者中,其颈动脉内中膜厚度为（1.33 ± 0.14）mm,斑块回声强度为（36.29 ± 7.51）dB,标化壁指数（NWI）为（0.64 ± 0.18）,57处颈动脉斑块厚度为（3.6 ± 0.5）mm。轻度、中度及重度狭窄组患者的NWI比较差异显著（P<0.05）,且重度狭窄组患者的NWI高于轻度及中度狭窄组,中度狭窄组患者的NWI高于轻度狭窄组（P<0.05）。RT-3DU VPQ检查诊断颈动脉局部管腔存在9处轻度狭窄,43处中度狭窄,5处重度狭窄;动脉CT血管造影检查诊断颈动脉局部管腔存在6处轻度狭窄,38处中度狭窄,13处重度狭窄。RT-3DU VPQ和动脉CT血管造影检查诊断颈动脉局部管腔狭窄程度的一致性较高（Kappa=0.819）。 结论 对于颈动脉斑块患者,应用RT-3DU VPQ技术可测定其血管狭窄程度,还可量化分析斑块回声强度、累及部位血管负荷变化。     

Atheroma plaque of the carotid bifurcation: how to identify an "active" lesion?]

The identification of carotid atheromatous plaques associated to a higher neurologic risk may be important in therapeutic decision making for asymptomatic patients and symptomatic patients with 50%-70% stenosis. The introduction of high-definition ultrasonography (HDU) and computer-assisted image analysis provides the possibility of a standard, objective and detailed characterization of the structure of the carotid plaque. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between the ultrasonographic characteristics of a group of plaques and the risk of associated cerebrovascular events and cerebral infarction. MATERIAL: One hundred carotid bifurcation plaques (in 68 patients) were studied for the presence of ipsilateral cerebrovascular events. In 61 patients (87 plaques), a correlation with CT scan for the presence of cerebral infarction was possible. METHOD: The lesions were studied by HDU (ATL-HDI 3000) and digitalized for computer-assisted standardization of the image. The analysis included the appreciation of the histogram of the image gray-scale pixel distribution by use of commercial software Adobe Photoshop 3.0. The parameters analysed for global echogenicity were the median of the histogram and the percentage of percentile 40 hypoechogenic pixels (40). Statistical analysis was made with STATA 4.0 software with categorical variables analysed by chi-square and Fisher's exact test and continuous variables analysed by variance analysis and Student's t test. RESULTS: Thirty eight (38%) plaques were symptomatic and 34 (39.1%) were associated to cerebral infarction. The degree of stenosis was > 70% in 51%; between 50 and 69% in 27% and < 50% in 22%. The mean of the median and P40 values was 33.9 and 60.3% in the symptomatic and 46.8 (p = 0.005) and 46.6% (p = 0.001) in the asymptomatic plaques respectively. In the plaques associated to cerebral infarction, it was 32.7 and 61.6% respectively, and in the ones with negative CT scan, it was 44.6 (p = 0.005) and 48.1% (p = 0.002). The mean of the median in the plaques vs. degree of stenosis was: > 70%--33.3; 50-69%--45.1; < 49%--57.7 (p < 0.001). In the series the cut-off point for the median value was 32 and for P40 it was 43 (for any degree of stenosis): G1--plaques < 32 (echolucent); G2--plaques > 32 (echogenic). In G1 symptoms occurred in 60% of the plaques and in 26% of the plaques in G2 (p = 0.0001). CT scan was positive in 66% of the echolucent plaques and in 25% of the echogenic plaques (p = 0.0238). CONCLUSION: 1. The more echolucent plaques are associated with a significantly higher neurological risk. 2. The plaques associated with higher degrees of stenosis are more echolucent. 3. The use of a standard and objective methodology in the analysis of the echographic structure of carotid plaques is important and limits the known intra and inter-observer variability of subjective appreciation.     

Usefulness of carotid ultrasound to improve the ability of stress testing to predict coronary artery disease

Carotid ultrasound is a useful tool to detect plaque and measure carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT), which help identify asymptomatic patients at risk of cardiovascular events. However, the role of carotid ultrasound in stratifying risk in symptomatic patients has not been studied. We prospectively examined the hypothesis that in symptomatic patients undergoing exercise (or pharmacologic) stress testing (EST), CIMT and carotid plaque will improve the ability to identify patients with > or =50% coronary diameter stenosis. Mean and maximal CIMTs were measured in 50 symptomatic patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) who were scheduled to undergo diagnostic angiography after EST with imaging. Pretest probability of CAD was calculated for each patient based on age, gender, and nature of symptoms. Fifty percent of patients were men, 32% were diabetic, 70% had hypertension, and 58% had dyslipidemia. CAD > or =50% was associated with CIMT in the >75th percentile (74% vs 44%, p = 0.047) and with presence of carotid plaque (96% vs 59%, p = 0.003). Of patients with an equivocal/negative EST result (n = 38), those with carotid plaque had a 46% (13 of 28) prevalence of significant CAD; in the smaller subset of patients without carotid plaque (n = 10), none had luminal stenosis > or =50% (p = 0.007). Pretest probability of CAD, presence of carotid plaque, moderately/severely abnormal EST result, and hypertension were independent predictors of significant CAD. In conclusion, carotid ultrasound appears to offer incremental value to EST in predicting presence or absence of > or =50% coronary diameter stenosis in symptomatic patients with equivocal/negative EST result.