Coronary artery disease and carotid artery intima-media thickness in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between carotid atherosclerosis, measured as intima-media thickness (IMT), and cardiovascular morbidity in type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We investigated the relationship between IMT and coronary artery disease (CAD) in 40 type 2 diabetic patients and 40 control subjects. Diabetic patients with CAD determined by coronary angiography were consecutively recruited, whereas the control subjects were recruited from among diabetic outpatients without CAD at the same institution. IMT was measured in both carotid arteries using B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Carotid IMT was significantly greater in the diabetic patients than in the control subjects (1.27 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.04 mm, P < 0.05). IMT was associated with CAD by logistic regression analysis using all independent variables (P = 0.062). When the 40 patients with CAD were divided into a group of 20 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and another 20 patients without CABG, the IMT was significantly greater in the CABG group than in the non-CABG group (1.47 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.07 +/- 0.07 mm, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the presence of carotid atherosclerosis implies a high probability of coronary involvement in Japanese nonobese subjects with type 2 diabetes.     

颈动脉超声在缺血性心脑血管病中的应用

目的　探讨颈动脉多普勒超声在缺血性心脑血管疾病中的应用价值。方法　应用多普勒超声检测脑供血不足组 (CI)、冠心病组 (CAD)、对照组的颈动脉内膜 中层厚度 (IMT)、斑块数量等 ,并做统计学处理。结果　CI和CAD的IMT均值显著高于对照组 ,P <0 .0 1。CI和CAD的斑块阳性率显著高于对照组 ,P <0 .0 1。IMT均值和斑块阳性率在CI和CAD组之间比较并无明显的差异 ,P >0 .0 5。IMT和斑块皆阳性对诊断CI和CAD的灵敏度分别为 84%、80 % ,特异性为66%。结论　颈动脉超声检查对缺血性心脑血管疾病的诊断有较大的应用价值     

Preclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation in 61-year-old men with newly diagnosed diabetes and established diabetes

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of subclinical atherosclerosis and underlying mechanisms in men with newly diagnosed diabetes and established diabetes compared with healthy control subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a population-based study of 61-year-old Caucasian men (n = 271) with established diabetes (n = 50) and newly diagnosed diabetes (n = 24) and healthy control subjects (n = 197), standard risk factors and highly sensitive (hs) C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Ultrasound measurements of intima-media thickness (IMT) were performed bilaterally in the common carotid artery, and a composite measure was calculated from common carotid and carotid bulb IMT (composite IMT). The plaque status was assessed. RESULTS: Composite IMT and carotid plaque size increased gradually among the healthy control subjects, newly diagnosed diabetic patients, and established diabetic patients (P for trend < or =0.001, respectively). CRP was higher in newly and established diabetes (NS between diabetes groups) compared with healthy control subjects (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol levels were lower in newly diagnosed diabetes (5.51 +/- 1.13 mmol/l, P < 0.05) and established diabetes (5.45 +/- 1.15 mmol/l, P < 0.01) compared with those of healthy control subjects (5.77 +/- 1.03 mmol/l). In men with diabetes (n = 74), diabetes onset status (newly diagnosed versus established), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and serum triglycerides, but not CRP, explained 16% of the variance in composite IMT. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show increased preclinical atherosclerotic changes (IMT and plaque size) and increased inflammation (hs-CRP) in men with newly diagnosed diabetes as well as in patients with established diabetes compared with healthy control subjects. WHR, diabetes onset status (newly diagnosed versus established), and triglycerides, but not CRP, were independent correlates of carotid artery IMT in men with diabetes.     

HIV-positive patients treated with protease inhibitors have vascular changes resembling those observed in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

A metabolic syndrome associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease has been described in HIV-positive individuals. In the present study we investigated whether HIV-positive individuals and CAD (coronary artery disease) patients have similarities in their vascular function and structure. In a case-control study, we compared measurements of carotid artery IMT (intima-media thickness) and brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated vasodilation) in HIV-positive individuals with age- and sex-matched controls with similar risk factors and patients with established CAD. Seventy-one HIV patients, age 42+/-13.9 years (91% male), were compared with 29 CAD patients and 25 controls. HIV patients had higher IMT than controls and similar IMT to CAD patients (0.64+/-0.2 compared with 0.55+/-0.05 and 0.66+/-0.08 mm respectively; F=4.2, P=0.01). Patients taking protease inhibitors had higher IMT (0.69+/-0.2 compared with 0.57+/-0.15 mm; P=0.01), blood pressure, cholesterol and triacylglycerols than those not taking protease inhibtors (P<0.05). In multiple regression analyses, increasing blood pressure (beta: 0.37, P=0.001), glucose (beta: 0.26, P=0.016), cholesterol (beta: 0.24, P=0.033), duration of HIV disease (beta: 0.33, P=0.008) and use of protease inhibitors (beta: 0.27, P=0.04) were the most important determinants of IMT respectively. FMD was associated only with triacylglycerol measurements. Patients with HIV present arterial changes resembling those found in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These vascular changes are closely related to protease-inhibitor-induced changes of metabolic parameters. Thus intensive treatment of these metabolic parameters might retard atherosclerosis in HIV patients.     

强化阿托伐他汀治疗对冠心病介入治疗患者颈动脉斑块的影响

目的本研究在于探讨强化阿托伐他汀治疗对经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI)的冠心病(coronary artery disease, CAD)患者颈动脉斑块的影响。方法选择在南京医科大学第一附属医院住院择期行PCI的CAD患者120例,随机分为常规治疗组60例,强化阿托伐他汀治疗组60例。在术前、术后1个月、术后6个月分别测定颈动脉内中膜厚度(intima media thickness, IMT)、斑块面积(plaque area, PA)。结果常规及强化他汀治疗组中的颈动脉IMT、PA比较有统计学差异[PCI术后1个月：IMT,OR=0.62,95%CI (0.13-3.05),P=0.015;PA,OR=0.78,95%CI (0.09-1.69),P=0.041;PCI术后6个月：IMT,OR=0.58,95%CI (0.10-2.90),P=0.013;PA,OR=0.70,95%CI (0.11-1.78),P=0.035]。结论PCI围手术期给予阿托伐他汀强化治疗减少了CAD患者颈动脉IMT及PA。     

Elevated C-reactive protein associates with early-stage carotid atherosclerosis in young subjects with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether low-grade inflammation contributes to early-stage advanced carotid atherosclerosis in young subjects with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The mean and maximum (max) intima-media thicknesses (IMT) of the carotid artery were assessed using ultrasound B-mode imaging in 55 patients with type 1 diabetes (22 men and 33 women, aged 22.1 +/- 3.6 years (+/- SD), duration of diabetes 14.2 +/- 5.7 years) and 75 age-matched healthy nondiabetic subjects (28 men and 47 women). High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured with a latex-enhanced immunonephelometer. RESULTS: The patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher hs-CRP levels (median 0.35, range 0.05-1.47 mg/l vs. median 0.14, range 0.05-1.44 mg/l; P = 0.001) as well as significantly higher mean IMT and max IMT than the nondiabetic subjects (mean IMT 0.76 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.72 +/- 0.04 mm, P = 0.003; max IMT 0.84 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.06 mm, P < 0.0001). Hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with the mean and max IMT of patients with type 1 diabetes and with the max IMT of nondiabetic patients. Multivariate regression analyses for both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects as a single group showed that hs-CRP levels are independently correlated with the mean IMT and max IMT levels (P = 0.002 and P = 0.023, respectively) as well as with diastolic blood pressure, sex, and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that hs-CRP levels are elevated in young patients with type 1 diabetes, possibly corresponding with early-stage advanced carotid atherosclerosis.     

超声检测颈动脉粥样硬化对冠状动脉病变的预测价值

目的 探讨超声检测颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成对冠状动脉病变预测的价值.方法 应用彩色多普勒超声对拟行冠状动脉造影检查的120例患者行颈动脉IMT测量及观察粥样斑块形成情况,并根据冠状动脉造影结果分为对照组、单支病变组和多支病变组,比较各组斑块的发生率并检测颈动脉粥样斑块对冠心病诊断的敏感性和特异性.结果 冠心病患者中,多支病变组IMT及斑块发生率高于单支病变组和对照组,组间比较差异均有统计学意义;颈动脉粥样斑块对冠心病诊断的敏感性为93.22%,特异性为70.51%,阳性预测值为70.51%,阴性预测值为93.22%.结论 在冠心病患者及具有冠心病高危险因素人群临床检查中,超声对颈动脉IMT增厚和斑块形成的检测,能够成为研究冠心病危险程度的可靠预测指标.     

颈动脉内-中膜厚度与冠状动脉病变严重程度相关性研究

目的探讨颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)及动脉粥样硬化斑块与冠状动脉粥样硬化狭窄程度的相关性。方法对198例拟诊冠心病并行冠脉造影的患者为研究对象,根据管腔狭窄程度分为非冠心病组(50例)和冠心病组(148例);并将冠心病组分为单支病变组(48例)、双支病变组(56例)及多支病变组(44例)并进行Gensini积分。所有患者均行双侧颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查,检测颈动脉IMT及斑块Crouse积分情况,并对冠状动脉Gensini积分行相关性分析。结果 CAD组多支病变、双支病变、单支病变亚组及对照组冠状动脉Gensini积分分别为45.06±7.27、30.83±4.50、24.83±4.94和13.75±1.74,颈动脉IMT分别为(2.13±0.32)mm、(1.68±0.14)mm、(1.12±0.13)mm和(0.93±0.17)mm,颈动脉粥样硬化斑块Crouse积分分别为2.85±1.21、1.62±0.14、1.03±0.09、0.29±0.08,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。冠心病组颈动脉IMT及粥样斑块Crouse积分与冠状动脉Gensini积分呈正相关。结论颈动脉IMT及粥样斑块与冠状动脉粥样硬化狭窄程度、范围有密切相关性。颈动脉超声检查可作为筛查CAD和评价抗动脉硬化治疗疗效的一种手段。     

颈动脉超声检测在冠心病诊断中的应用

目的 探讨颈总动脉超声检查在冠心病患者诊断中的临床预测价值。方法 超声检测100例患者的双侧颈总动脉的内中膜厚度（IMT）,观察颈动脉斑块,根据冠脉造影（CAG）结果将所有患者分为CAG阳性组和CAG阴性组,并调查冠心病主要危险因素。结果 ①CAG阳性组颈总动脉的IMT较CAG阴性组显著增厚,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。②颈总动脉的IMT≥0．8mm预测冠心病的敏感性76．6％,特异性92．4％,阳性预测值90％,阴性预测值81．7％;颈总动脉的IMT诊断冠心病的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0．913（P〈0．01）预测临界点为0．775mm。颈动脉斑块预测冠心病的敏感性90％,特异性70．3％,阳性预测值72．4％,阴性预测值88．1％。结论冠心病患者存在颈总动脉的IMT的显著增厚,以IMT≥8mm作为预测冠心病的临界值有较高的敏感性和特异性,且颈总动脉的IMT与多种危险因素密切相关。     

Lack of association of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase with manifest coronary artery disease,carotid atherosclerosis and forearm vascular reactivity in two Austrian populations

OBJECTIVE: Conflicting data exists about the possible contribution of the homozygous Asp/Asp genotype of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase to human atherosclerotic vascular disease. We investigated the polymorphism in two independent study populations: a case-control study including patients with angiographically verified coronary artery disease (CAD) on the one hand and a cross-sectional epidemiological study on the other hand. METHODS: The Glu298Asp polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP as established. In the case-control study (240 patients and 248 controls) a possible association between the polymorphism and CAD, and age of onset of CAD and myocardial infarction was investigated. In the cross-sectional epidemiological study (932 subjects) intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery as well as morphological plaque burden and forearm vascular reactivity (peak postischemic reactive hyperaemia, determined by venous occlusion plethysmography) were measured. RESULTS: In the case-control study genotype distribution (Glu/Glu; Glu/Asp; Asp/Asp) was not different between the CAD patients (43/46/11%) and the controls (49/41/10%, P = NS). No association of the polymorphism with age of onset of CAD or myocardial infarction was found. In the epidemiological study no influence of the genetic variant on IMT was observed after correction for classical determinants of IMT (average IMT: Asp/ Asp: 0.077 +/- 0.011 mm; Glu/Glu and Glu/Asp: 0.080 +/- 0.012 mm, P = NS). Forearm vascular reactivity was also not different between homozygous Asp/Asp subjects and Glu/Glu and Glu/Asp subjects (peak-reactive hyperaemia 20.1 +/- 7.3 mL min-1 100 mL-1 vs. 20.0 +/- 6.5 mL min-1 100 mL-1, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is no association of the Glu298Asp polymorphism with coronary or carotid atherosclerosis or forearm vascular reactivity in these populations recruited in a country with a rather high risk for atherosclerosis. We suggest additional investigations to be performed in populations at different risk for coronary events to further elucidate the possible contribution of this polymorphism to vascular disease.     

同型半胱氨酸和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇与颈动脉内膜中层厚度对女性冠心病患者的预测价值

目的 探讨同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)对女性冠心病患者的预测价值.方法 选取冠心病患者155例,非冠心病患者102例,分别测定其Hcy、LDL-C及IMT,并根据不同性别进行对比研究及相关分析.结果 冠心病患者中女性高Hcy检出率为59.6%(31/52),高LDL-C检出率为75.0%(39/52),男性患者中分别为69.9%(72/103)和78.6%(81/103),均明显高于非冠心病患者[23.0%(7/30)、26.7%(8/30)、22.2%(16/72)、23.6%(17/72),χ2值分别为6.63、5.03、5.87、7.53,P均＜0.05];R0C曲线分析显示女性IMT的最佳诊断界点是0.953 mm,男性为1.021 mm.而在这个最佳诊断界点时的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值女性分别为83.7%、91.4%、95.7%、63.8%,均高于男性(62.9%、65.3%、76.2%、53.3%).结论 高Hcy、高LDL-C血症是女性冠心病患者的重要危险因素,IMT作为冠心病的预测因子对女性患者更有优势.     

颈动脉窦粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度的相关性

背景:颈动脉内中膜厚度可用作冠状动脉粥样硬化的替代指标,但它与冠状动脉事件的关系尚未得到充分研究。目的:探讨颈动脉内中膜厚度在预测冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病及其程度中的价值。设计:病例分析。单位:解放军总医院心内科。对象:实验于2000-01/2002-01在解放军总医院完成。将285例可疑冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者按造影结果分为0支组,1支组,2支组,3支组4组,年龄33～74岁,平均(54.48±9.44)岁,其中男164例,女121例。方法:①测量体质量、身高,计算体质量指数(BMI)=体质量(kg)/身高(m)2。②测量卧位左臂血压。③采静脉血检测血脂。④用高分辨率B型超声,10MHz线性探头检测颈总动脉,颈内动脉,颈外动脉和颈动脉窦。将颈动脉内中膜厚度≥1.0mm定义为颈动脉粥样硬化。用标准的Judkins技术作冠状动脉造影。根据管腔狭窄≥50%的病变血管支数将冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的程度记录为0,1,2,3。左主干狭窄≥50%定义为2支病变,左主干合并右冠病变定义为3支病变。主要观察指标:①不同冠状动脉病变程度患者不同测量位点的内中膜厚度。②冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病严重程度的预测因子。③颈动脉不同位点内中膜厚度值对冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的预测价值。④不同危险因子与内中膜厚度的关系。结果:285例患者全部完成实验进入结果分析。①不同冠状动脉病变程度患者不同测量位点的内中膜厚度经卡方检验,左、右颈动脉窦的F值最大,分别为65.64和63.24。左、右颈动脉窦的内中膜厚度值随冠状动脉病变程度的加重而增厚。②对冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病严重程度的预测因子进行回归分析表明,男性、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、左颈动脉窦、右颈动脉窦、右颈内动脉、右颈外动脉的内中膜厚度为冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病严重程度的独立预测因子。左颈动脉窦和右颈动脉窦是冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的最重要的预测因子(t=3.61,P=0.391;t=2.58,P=0.247)。③颈动脉不同位点内中膜厚度值对冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的预测价值中左右颈动脉窦的阳性预测值最高,分别为是89.9%,88.8%。④对不同危险因子与内中膜厚度的关系行多元回归分析,其结果是:年龄,体质量指数,胆固醇,三酰甘油,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇是左颈动脉窦处动脉粥样硬化的危险因子。结论:颈动脉窦内中膜厚度与冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病程度明显相关。二者有共同的病理与血液动力学基础。颈动脉窦内中膜厚度可以作为筛选冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的指标。     

One-dimensional ultrasonic strain and strain rate imaging: a new approach to the quantitation of regional myocardial function in patients with aortic stenosis

Abnormalities in regional left ventricular (LV) function in aortic stenosis (AS) have yet to be appropriately characterized. One-dimensional strain (epsilon) and strain rate imaging (SRI), new ultrasound (US) indices for quantifying regional wall deformation, might allow this. The aims of this study were 1. to define regional radial and longitudinal epsilon /SR in AS; 2. to establish if they are related to the severity of the disease; and 3. to determine if regional deformation is further altered by coexistent coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 40 patients were studied: Group I with isolated AS (10 women, 10 men; mean age 66 years) and group II with AS and concomitant CAD (CAD/AS) (13 women, 7 men, mean age 68 years). Data were compared to 20 age-matched healthy people (N). Regional systolic maximal velocity/SR and end-systolic and maximal epsilon were measured. The maximal systolic velocity/SR in AS and CAD/AS patients were significantly reduced compared to N. The two patient groups could be further differentiated by end-systolic and maximal epsilon, which demonstrated a further reduction in both epsilon indices in CAD/AS (i.e., maximal radial epsilon 29.3%, AS; 23.7%, CAD/AS; 40.4%, N; AS and CAD/AS vs. N, AS vs. CAD/AS, p < 0.05). Indices of radial and longitudinal deformation correlated both with aortic valve area (AVA) and stroke volume (SV) (i.e., radial maximal epsilon and AVA, r = 0.77, p < 0.05). A significant correlation was also found between epsilon indices and the severity of left anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex artery (CX) coronary artery. Regional myocardial deformation in AS is abnormal. In the absence of CAD, the degree of abnormality correlates with aortic valve area (AVA). The severity of the disease was best expressed by changes in regional epsilon. In CAD/AS patients, there was a significant further reduction in end-systolic and maximal epsilon. These changes correlated with the severity of coronary narrowing in the subtending vessel.     

Low HDL cholesterol concentration is associated with increased intima-media thickness independent of arterial stiffness in healthy subjects from families with low HDL cholesterol

BACKGROUND: Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with increased risk for developing coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness, but the effect of low HDL on these measurements has not been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 18 apparently healthy subjects from families with low HDL-C and 18 control subjects, which were pair-matched to maximize statistical power. Intima-media thickness was assessed using ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries. Arterial stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry on the radial artery and pulse-wave analysis to obtain central aortic pulse-pressure waveform, from which the augmentation index, a measure of global large artery stiffness, was calculated. RESULTS: Low HDL subjects (age 41 +/- 3 years, BMI 26.6 +/- 1.0 kg m(-2) had significantly lower HDL-C than the control subjects (age 41 +/- 3 years, BMI 26.5 +/- 1.0 kg m-2; 1.00 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.09 mmol L-1, low HDL vs. control subjects, P < 0.0001). Subjects with low HDL-C had significantly thicker mean IMTs than the control subjects (0.77 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.70 +/- 0.02 mm, low HDL vs. control subjects, P < 0.01). The maximal (0.99 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.03 mm, P < 0.01), far wall (0.76 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.02 mm, P < 0.05) and carotid bulb (1.11 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.97 +/- 0.04 mm) IMTs were also significantly increased, whereas the mean common carotid and the internal artery IMT were not. The age-related increase in mean IMT was more pronounced in the low HDL subjects than the control subjects (P < 0.01 for difference between elevations of age vs. IMT slopes). There were no differences in central pressure augmentation, the augmentation index, peripheral or central blood pressures between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A low HDL-C concentration is associated with thickening of carotid IMT independent of other risk factors in healthy affected members of low HDL families.     

颈动脉内膜-中层厚度和血清炎症因子与冠心病关系

目的 探讨颈动脉内膜-中层厚度（IMT）和血清炎症因子与冠心病的关系.方法 测定了11例冠状动脉正常者和44例冠心病病人颈动脉IMT和血清白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-8、IL-10浓度,全部对象均行冠状动脉造影检查.结果 冠心病病人颈动脉IMT为（1.07±0.48）mm,冠状动脉正常者为（0.63±0.32）mm,两组比较差异有显著性（t=2.92,P〈0.01）.冠心病病人血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-10的浓度分别为（112.61±14.94）ng/L、（0.50±0.11） μg/L、（300.79±35.73） ng/L,冠状动脉正常者分别为（89.36±7.90）ng/L、（0.34±0.13）μg/L、（243.58±60.71）ng/L,冠心病病人血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-10浓度高于冠状动脉正常者（t=3.00～4.97,P〈0.05）.结论 颈动脉IMT及血清IL-6、IL-8、IL-10浓度是心血管疾病强有力的预测因素.     

彩色多普勒超声对心绞痛患者颈动脉病变的初步分析

目的通过应用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪分析心绞痛患者颈动脉病变的特点,探讨其诊断冠心病的临床价值。方法选择行冠状动脉造影的心绞痛患者85例,根据冠脉造影结果分为0支病变组,1支病变组及多支病变组。测量颈总及颈内动脉后壁的内膜内表面到中膜外表面的距离（IMT）,同时注意观察动脉粥样硬化斑块的位置、数量及斑块性质等。结果颈动脉分叉处IMT值各组间均有显著性差异。颈内动脉IMT值在0支病变组与1支病变组间没有显著性差异,但两者均与多支病变组有显著性差异。颈动脉粥样硬化斑块积分各组间均有显著性差异。冠状动脉积分与颈动脉分叉处IMT值及冠状动脉积分与颈动脉硬化斑块积分之间均呈显著性相关。结论通过超声检查观察颈动脉粥样硬化病变的程度可预测冠状动脉病变的情况,对疑有冠心病的患者具有较好的筛选及预测价值。     

Atherosclerosis found on carotid ultrasonography is associated with atherosclerosis on coronary intravascular ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: Little has been reported on the relationship between left main coronary artery atherosclerosis and carotid ultrasonographic results. We evaluated the association between carotid and coronary atherosclerosis assessed by coronary intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) in 45 patients. METHODS: We counted the number of plaques with intima-media thickness (IMT) greater than or equal to 1.1 mm and calculated a plaque score by summing all plaque thicknesses. With the use of IVUS, the percent plaque area was calculated at the proximal, middle, and distal sites of the left main coronary artery. The maximum percent plaque area and mean percent plaque area of the 3 sites were also calculated. Relationships among the degree of left main coronary artery atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis and vascular risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area were increased in men and in patients with hypertension compared with women and those without hypertension (P < .1). Both the average of the maximum common carotid IMT and plaque number were correlated with both the mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area (P < .05). Men, the presence of hypertension, and the average of the maximum common carotid IMT were correlated with both the mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area by multiple linear regression analysis (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The average of the maximum common carotid IMT was significantly correlated with left main coronary artery atherosclerosis evaluated by IVUS.     

超声评价颈、股动脉内-中膜厚度与冠心病相关性研究

目的 探讨颈动脉（CA）、股动脉（FA）的内一中膜厚度（IMT）对冠心病（CAD）的诊断价值。 方法 对189例连续冠脉造影（CAG）受检者术前利用高频超声进行CA、FA的IMT检查，并与CAG结果进行相关性研究。 结果 CAD单支病变组、多支病变组CA、FA的IMT增厚以及斑块发生率均明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）；多支病变组CA、FA的IMT显著高于单支病变组，斑块发生率与单支病变组之间无显著性差异（P〉0．05），CA粥样硬化斑块对CAD诊断的敏感度、特异度及对CAD阳性预告值分别为72．3％、79．2％及89．5％；FA粥样硬化斑块对CAD诊断的敏感度、特异度及对CAD阳性预告值分别为83．2％、77．8％及90％；CA、FA两处均有粥样硬化斑块对诊断的敏感度、特异度及对CAD阳性预告值分别为84．1％、87．6％及93．1％。 结论 CAD患者及具有其危险因素人群中，进行CA、FA超声检查，可成为研究CAD的间接指标和窗口。     

速度向量成像评价冠心病患者颈动脉粥样斑块力学特性的临床研究

目的 探讨颈动脉正常和斑块部佗、硬斑块和软斑块及斑块的肩部和纤维帽顶部速度、应变及应变率变化规律.方法对86例冠心病伴颈动脉粥样斑块患者和50例正常人双侧颈动脉进行高频超声检查,检测颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT);应用速度向量成像(VVI)斑点追踪技术检测颈动脉的运动速度、应变、应变率,并分组进行分析.结果冠心病组颈动脉IMT高于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);正常对照组颈动脉收缩期径向最大运动速度高于冠心病颈动脉无斑块部位的测值,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);软斑块收缩期最大运动速度、最大应变率高于硬斑块组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001或P＜0.05);颈动脉斑块肩部收缩期最大运动速度、应变率高于斑块纤维帽顶部.差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.001).结论 VVI技术可早期检测血管壁的弹性度,早期检测颈动脉荆样硬化及颈动脉粥样硬化斑块部位内膜运动的机械不一致性和不同部位的力学指标差别,有可能作为动脉粥样硬化不稳定斑块的初查和量化评价指标.     

Noninvasive tests for arterial structure, function, and compliance: do they identify risk or diagnose disease?

BACKGROUND: Brachial artery reactivity (BAR), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and applanation tonometry for evaluation of total arterial compliance may provide information about preclinical vascular disease. We sought to determine whether these tests could be used to identify patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without being influenced by their ability to identify those at risk for CAD developing. METHODS: We studied 100 patients and compared 3 groups: 35 patients with known CAD; 34 patients with symptoms and risk factors but no CAD identified by stress echocardiography (risk group); and 31 control subjects. BAR and IMT were measured using standard methods, and total arterial compliance was calculated by the pulse-pressure method from simultaneous radial applanation tonometry and pulsed wave Doppler of the left ventricular outflow. Ischemia was identified as a new or worsening wall-motion abnormality induced by stress. RESULTS: In a comparison between the control subjects and patients either at risk for developing CAD or with CAD, the predictors of risk for CAD were: age (P =.01); smoking history (P =.002); hypercholesterolemia (P =.002); and hypertension (P =.004) (model R = 0.82; P =.0001). The independent predictors of CAD were: IMT (P =.001); BAR (P =.04); sex (P =.005); and hypertension (P =.005) (model R = 0.80; P =.0001). CONCLUSION: IMT, BAR, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors appear to identify patients at risk for CAD developing. However, only IMT was significantly different between patients at risk for developing CAD and those with overt CAD.