The hidden aspect of carotid lesions in traffic accidents: A little-known phenomenon

Vascular injuries that occur during traffic accidents are a commonly neglected aspect that can add more detail to the framework of a case. In this study, we analysed a case series of 150 traffic accidents, 39 of which were marked by microscopically identifiable vascular lesions. The purpose was to identify the presence of carotid injuries in individuals who died due to traffic accidents and had nonpenetrating trauma of the neck. We focused on the discrepancies regarding the macroscopical aspect and the histology and demonstrated how histological analysis of the carotids in cases of trauma can reveal injuries that are attributable to the trauma itself. We conducted a histological analysis of the lesions to describe their distribution and type and investigate potential correlations. The study offers insight on how to examine road accidents that involve traumatic injury of the carotid arteries. Indeed the main task of the forensic pathologist in the case of death is to establish the existence of a causal relationship between the micro- or macroscopic alterations observed in the autopsy and the traumatic event that led to the death of the subject. Thus, further morphological elements were provided to the forensic practitioners that may reveal injuries attributable to the trauma itself and should be evaluated in cases of trauma in traffic accidents.     

Brain arterial dilatation and the risk of Alzheimer's disease

IntroductionWe tested the hypothesis that brain arterial dilatation increases the risk of Alzheimer's dementia (AD).MethodsWe studied dementia-free participants in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project who had a brain MRI and post-MRI dementia adjudication. We measured the axial T2-proton density diameters of the intracranial carotids and basilar diameters and used Cox models to obtain AD hazard ratios and 95% intervals.ResultsOf 953 participants (mean age 77 ± 7 y, women 64%, 71% nonwhite) followed on average for 3 ± 3 years, 76 (8%) developed AD. In a model adjusted for demographics, vascular risks, apolipoprotein E (APOE)-ε4, and white matter hyperintensities, larger carotid diameters increased the risk of AD, defined categorically as ≥ 90th percentile (HR 4.34, 1.70–11.11) or continuously (HR 1.44 per SD, 1.07–1.94).DiscussionUnderstanding the pathophysiology of the association between AD and brain arterial dilatation may reveal new clues to the vascular contributions to AD.     

血府逐瘀汤合温胆汤加减联合西药治疗高血压颈动脉硬化的临床观察

目的:观察血府逐瘀汤合温胆汤加减联合西药治疗高血压颈动脉硬化的效果。方法:选取2017年6月至2018年6月聊城市中医院收治的高血压颈动脉硬化患者92例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组与观察组,每组46例。对照组患者给予左旋氨氯地平+阿托伐他汀口服,观察组在对照组基础上加用血府逐瘀汤合温胆汤加减口服。观察患者血压、血脂控制情况,测定颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)、斑块面积、血管皮内皮功能、血清蛋白酶分子水平。结果:与对照组比较,观察组治疗后的血压SBP、DBP及血脂TG、TC、LDL-C等指标更低(P<0.05);颈动脉粥样硬化斑块IMT厚度、斑块面积明显缩小(P<0.05),血管内皮功能指标ET-1、AngⅡ、TXB2水平明显降低,NO水平明显升高(P<0.05);血清CatK、MMP-9水平明显降低(P<0.05);观察组不良反应发生率8.70%明显低于对照组不良反应发生率21.74%(P<0.05)。结论:血府逐瘀汤合温胆汤加减联合西药更利于控制高血压颈动脉硬化患者的血压,调节脂质代谢,改善血管内皮功能,降低血清蛋白酶分子的含量,用药安全。     

Training of deep microsurgical skill: Establishment of a high-volume intracranial carotid bypass model

ObjectiveTo establish a model for a high-volume intracranial carotid bypass operation.MethodsHigh-volume internal carotid-middle cerebral artery bypass was performed on 9 cadaver heads with arteries of porcine forearms as grafts by 6 residents with no previous experience in vascular anastomosis on cadavers. The intima was dissected immediately after the anastomoses were completed to observe the patency of anastomosis.ResultsAfter different duration periods of training using this model, 36 vascular anastomoses on 18 sides were successfully performed by the 6 residents with a self-made difficulty regulation device. As the difficulty level increased, the time needed for anastomosis lengthened and patency rate showed a decreasing trend. As the amount of training increased, the residents were able to decrease the amount of time to complete the operation with increasing patency rates.ConclusionsThe model of high-volume internal carotid-middle cerebral artery bypass with arteries of porcine forearms has the advantages of material similarity, easy access of grafts, better simulation of intraoperative conditions, and adjustable difficulties. Our results suggest that this new procedure has a better simulation-training platform which is closer to the real surgical procedure for surgeons willing to master the technique of a high-volume bypass operation.     

非手术指征颈动脉斑块患者缺血性脑卒中的危险因素分析

目的:探讨颈动脉狭窄≤50%的颈动脉斑块患者的MRI斑块特征及临床因素与发生缺血性脑卒中的关系。方法:选取2014年9月—2016年2月超声筛选颈动脉狭窄≤50%的颈动脉斑块患者43例,所有患者行核磁共振黑血成像检查,分析MRI斑块特征及其他危险因素与缺血性脑卒中的关系。结果:43例患者的颈动脉斑块狭窄程度5%～50%,随访时间1.9～19.4个月。随访期间发现脑梗死患者共4例。单因素与多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,仅MRI的斑块内出血与缺血性脑卒中的发生有明显关系(OR=297.797,95%CI=2.638～33620,P=0.018),而其他斑块特征及临床因素均无明显关系(均P0.05)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示,有斑块内出血者较无斑块内出血者的中位无脑卒中时间明显缩短(14.3个月vs. 18.6个月,P=0.001);有冠心病者较无冠心病者的中位无脑卒中时间也明显缩短(12.1个月vs. 18.7个月,P=0.029);Cox回归分析显示,斑块内出血(HR=18.2,95%CI=2.7～123.3,P=0.003)及冠心病(HR=27.4,95%CI=1.6～464.3,P=0.022)是缺血性脑卒中发生的独立危险因素。结论:在颈动脉狭窄≤50%的颈动脉斑块患者中,斑块内出血与冠心病是缺血性卒中的发生密切相关。     

Influence of multiple stents on periprocedural stroke after carotid artery stenting in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST)

Background

In the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST), carotid artery atherosclerotic lesion length and nature of the lesions were important factors that predicted the observed difference in stroke rates between carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS). Additional patient-related factors influencing CAS outcomes in CREST included age and symptomatic status. The importance of the operator's proficiency and its influence on periprocedural complications have not been well defined. We evaluated data from CREST to determine the impact of use of multiple stents, which we speculate may be related to technical proficiency.