Study on the Prevalence and Corelation of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Stroke Patients

Objective To assess the prevalence and severity of carotid atherosclerosis in stroke patients and the risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods Two hundred fifty-one ischemic stroke patients,46 ccrcbral hemorrhagc patients and 96 control subjects were entercd into this study. Sonographic assessment of the extracranial carotid arteries was performed in all patients. Diametcr. IMT, plaques and percentage ratio of lumen stenosis were observcd. Results (1)The prevalence of carotid plaqucs was prominent in stroke patients than the control subjects(63.0%vs 36.5%). (2)The prevalencc of lumen stenosis＞50% in ischemic stroke patients was higher than the cerebral hemorrhage patients and control subjects (15.6% vs 4.3%. 2.1%).(3) The prevalence of severe carotid artery stcnosis(＞75%) was promincnt in aged 61～70 years old patients.(4)Our data revealed 30% of the cortical infarction subgroup, 17.5%of the subcortical infarction subgroup, 17% of the lacunar infarction subgroup,8% of the vcrtibral-basilar artery infarction subgroup.2.8% of thc CT normal subgroup possessed carotid stcnosis ＞50%. (5)Age, diabetes mellitus and ApoAl(inversely) were independent predictors of the extracranial carotid atherosclcrosis. Discusssion (Ⅰ)There is close relation between extracraniai carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.(2)The extent of serious carotid artery stcnosis in aged patients was lower.(3)Thc severity of extracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis was prominent in patients with conical infarction. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of extracranial carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese stroke patients.     

Aortic Arch Atherosclerosis——An Important Potential Source Of Cerebral Embolic Stroke

Background and purpose: Recent years with use of transesophageal echography renew awareness of aortic atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, clinical significance, and embolic potential of thoracic aortic plaque in patients with cerebral emblism; and further study the correlation aortic plaque with carotid or heart disease. Method: 49 consecutive patients with cerebral embolism was included in this sutdy. We uscd TEE to evaluated potential source of emboli in aortic arch and heart, and duplex in carotid artery. A atherosclerotic lesion of thoracic aorta was defined as normal(O); mild plaque (1); moderate plaque (2); protruding plaque or mobile plaque (3). Result: 31(63%) patients showed evidence of AAA; 7 (14.3%) patients had mild AAA, 9 (18.4%) patients had moderate AAA and 15 (32.7%) patients had severe AAA, In these 15 patients 11 patients neither severe ICAA or embolic heart disease, the AAA may be responsible to the cerebral embolism; 33 patients had internal carotid arterial atherosclerosis(ICAA), 9 patients had embolic heart disease; Age, ICAA had significant correlated with aortic plaque. Conclusion: Aortic atherosclerosis is common in cerebral embolism. Aortic plaque might be not only responsible for some unexplained embolic event, but also for some of the embolic stroke in the group of patient do have carotid artery or heart disease. Age might be important risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic lesion in the thoracic aorta.     

Correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND: Some researches demonstrate that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein may be a risk factor to cause carotid atherosclerosis in patients with cerebral infarction. Inflammatory reaction may participate in formation of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied with carotid atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Contrast observation between two groups. SETTING: Department of Neurology, Zhenzhou Hospital, Shenyang Medical College. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 102 patients with acute cerebral infarction regarded as cerebral infarction group were selected from Department of Neurology, Shenzhou Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College from February 2005 to September 2006. There were 55 males and 47 females and their ages ranged from 55 to 86 years. All patients met the variously diagnostic points of cerebral infarction established by the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting and were finally diagnosed with CT or MRI examination. Illness course was in an acute phase. A total of 96 healthy subjects were regarded as control group, including 51 males and 45 females aged from 48 to 78 years. All accepted subjects provided the confirmed consent. METHODS: ① Patients in the cerebral infarction group received carotid ultrasound Doppler examination and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein detection within 72 hours after onset. IMMAGE immune biochemical system and latex reinforcement particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA) were used for quantitative detection of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. ② Healthy subjects in the control group received the same detection. SEQUOIA512 color Doppler ultrasound (Siemens Company, USA) was used to detect carotid artery of all subjects so as to observe intima media thickness of artery and formation of artery atherosclerostic plaques. If artery atherosclerostic plaques were formed, their properties and amounts were determined based on the characteristics of light-echo signals. Evaluating criteria: Intima media thickness of artery was the vertical dimension from crossed face between lumen and tunica intima to crossed face between tunica media and tunica adventitia. Intima media thickness ≤ 0.9 mm was regarded as normal; 0.9 mm < intima media thickness ≤ 1.2 mm was regarded as thickening; when local eminence thickening was processed towards to lumen, the intima media thickness was more than 1.2 mm and plaque of tunica intima was formed at the same time. Properties of plaque were classified into 4 types: steady low-echo lipid malacoplakia, equal-echo fiber plaque, strong-echo or sound-imaging calcification hard plaque and unsteady-echo ulcer mixed plaque. Fiber plaque and calcification hard plaque were steady but malacoplakia and mixed plaque were unsteady. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Thickness of tunica media, characteristics of plaque and level of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in carotid artery in two groups. RESULTS: All 102 patients with cerebral infarction and 96 healthy subjects were involved in the final analysis. ① Comparisons of level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in normal tunica media was higher in the cerebral infarction group [(4.66±1.55) mg/L] than the control group [(3.49±1.24) mg/L, t =2.541, P < 0.05]. In addition, level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with thickening tunica media and plaque was not significantly different between the cerebral infarction group and the control group (P > 0.05). ② Correlation between various degrees of vascular lesion and level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the cerebral infarction group: Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with thickening tunica media [(8.16±2.42) mg/L] than patients with normal tunica media [(4.66±1.55) mg/L, t =4.132, P < 0.01]. In addition, level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with carotid plaque [(12.08±3.85) mg/L] than patients with normal tunica media (t =5.994, P < 0.01) and thickening tunica media (t =4.197, P < 0.01). ③ Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with various kinds of carotid plaque: Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with unsteady carotid plaque [(13.54±2.62) mg/L] than patients with steady carotid plaque [(8.61±3.71) mg/L, t =2.002, P < 0.05]. That was to say level of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients who suffered acute cerebral infarction combined with carotid atherosclerosis especially carotid plaque was higher than that in those patients who did not have carotid lesions. This suggested that serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein had a certain correlation with onset of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION: Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein certainly correlates with onset of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, while inflammatory reaction may participate in formation of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction.     

Correlating cognitive impairment with carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction*★

BACKGROUND：Studies have demonstrated that carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stenosis are closely associated with cognitive impairment in patients with and without clinically evident cerebrovascular disease. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the correlation between the degree of pathological changes in carotid atherosclerosis, carotid artery stenosis, and cognitive impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction through the use of color Doppler imaging. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The present concurrent, non-randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Departments of Neurology and Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College between November 2006 and August 2007. PARTICIPANTS： Fifty-five patients with cerebral infarction, consisting of 35 males and 20 females, aged 50–82 years, were admitted to the hospital between November 2006 and August 2007 and recruited for this study. An additional 30 subjects consisting of 18 males and 12 females, aged 47–78 years, that concurrently received a health examination at the same hospital, were also included as normal controls. METHODS： Intima-media thickness （IMT）, plaque shape, size, and echo intensity of all subjects were detected by color Doppler flow imaging. Assessment criteria： IMT 〉 1.0 mm was considered to be intimal thickening, and IMT 〉 1.2 mm was determined to be formed atherosclerotic plaques. In the position of the largest plaque, the degree of carotid artery stenosis was determined by the following formula： （1-cross-sectional area of residual vascular luminal area/vascular cross-sectional area） × 100%. Less than 30% exhibited mild stenosis, 30%-40% moderate stenosis, and 〉 50% severe stenosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： IMT and the degree of carotid artery stenosis were evaluated by color Doppler flow imaging. The Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE）, as well as the clinical memory scale, was compared between patients with cerebral infarction and normal controls. RESULTS： In the cerebral infarc     

急性缺血性脑血管病合并脑微出血的临床特征研究

目的 研究不同类型急性缺血性脑血管病患者合并脑微出血(CMB)的患病率及分级,并探讨其临床意义.方法 选择南方医科大学附属南方医院及广州中医药大学附属中山医院神经内科自2009年9月至2010年7月收治的急性缺血性脑血管病患者259例,其中动脉粥样硬化性血栓形成146例、心源性脑栓塞28例、小动脉性脑梗死50例、不明原因脑梗死19例,短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)16例,同期体检者96例作为对照.常规行核磁共振T2梯度回波加权扫描(GRE-T2*WI),比较不同类型脑血管病患者CMB的患病率、分级以及初发性和复发性各亚型脑梗死患者CMB的患病率.结果 不同类型缺血性脑血管病患者CMB的患病率、分级均不同,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),除TIA外,脑梗死患者CMB的患病率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),其中小动脉性脑梗死组最高(68.0%);复发性动脉粥样硬化性血栓形成患者CMB的患病率高于初发性患者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 CMB在各亚型脑梗死患者中患病率较高,其中在小血管性脑梗死中最高且严重;复发性动脉粥样硬化性血栓形成患者较初发性患者CMB的患病率高,提示CMB可能与缺血性卒中的复发有关.

Abstract：

Objective To study the prevalence and grade of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) among patients with different subtypes of acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and investigate the clinical significance of CMB.Methods Consecutive 259 patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, admitted to our hospitals from September 2009 to July 2010, were included; according to the stroke subtypes, these patients were classified into groups of atherothrombotic infarction (n=146),cardioembolic infarction (n=28), small artery infarction (n=50), infarction of unknown origin (n=19) and transient ischemia attack (TIA, n=16). The patients without cerebral vascular diseases were served as controls (n=96). The baseline data were registered and all patients were performed gradient echo-T2*weighted imaging (GRE-T2*WI); the prevalence and grade of CMB between each 2 different subtypes of acute ischemic cerebrovascular diseases were compared; the prevalence of CMB in patients with acute ischemic infarction for the first time and patients with recurrent cerebral infarction was compared.Results The prevalence and grade of CMB between each 2 different infarction subtypes varied with a statistical difference (P＜0.05). Apart from that of TIA group, the prevalence of all infarction groups was statistically higher than that of the controls (P＜0.05) with small artery infarction group being the highest (68.0%). The prevalence of CMB in patients with recurrent infarction was statistically higher than that in patients with primary infarction (P＜0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of CMB among different subtypes of infarction is high with the subtype of small artery infarction enjoying the highest rate; the prevalence of CMB in recurrent infarction goes higher as compared with that in primary infarction; the relapse of the cerebral infarction is possiblely related to the presence of CBMs.     

Use of various CT imaging methods for diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Thirty-four patients with cerebral infarction and 18 patients with transient ischemic attack were examined by multi-slice spiral CT scan, CT perfusion imaging, and CT angiography within 6 hours after onset. By CT perfusion imaging, 29 cases in the cerebral infarction group and 10 cases in the transient ischemic attack group presented with abnormal blood flow perfusion, which corresponded to the clinical symptoms. By CT angiography, various degrees of vascular stenosis could be detected in 41 patients, including 33 in the cerebral infarction group and eight in the transient ischemic attack group. The incidence of intracranial artery stenosis was higher than that of extracranial artery stenosis. The intracranial artery stenosis was located predominantly in the middle cerebral artery and carotid artery siphon, while the extracranial artery stenosis occurred mainly in the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and the opening of the vertebral artery. There were 34 cases (83%) with convict vascular stenosis and perfusion abnormalities, and five cases (45%) with perfusion abnormalities but without convict vascular stenosis. The incidence of cerebral infarction in patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ≥ 5 points during onset was significantly higher than that in patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores < 5 points. These experimental findings indicate that the combined application of various CT imaging methods allows early diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, which can comprehensively analyze the pathogenesis and severity of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease at the morphological and functional levels.     

Significance of ultrasound evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery is the main source for craniocerebral blood supply. Its intimal plaque formation and arterial stenosis degree both are the risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, the close relationship of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and ultrasound evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque have become the hot spot in studying ischemic cerebrovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: This study was to detect the degree of carotid atherosclerosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients by ultrasonography, and to analyze the situation of carotid atherosclerosis and its relationship with clinic. DESIGN: Clinical randomized concurrent control experiment. SETTING: Lintong Convalescent Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 60 outpatients and inpatients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 42 males and 18 females, admitted to Lintong Convalescent Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between January 2006 and December 2006 were involved in the patient group. They met the diagnosis criteria of ischemic cerebrovascular disease constituted by the 4th Cerebrovascular Disease Conference in 1996, and were confirmed to suffer from ischemic cerebrovascular disease by skull CT and MRI. Another 20 subjects who received healthy examination concurrently in the same hospital, 12 males and 8 females, were involved in the control group. Informed consents of detected items were obtained from involved subjects. METHODS: The plaque thickness of mid portion, distal end and crotch of common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA) and vertebral artery (VA) of involved subjects, who received health examination was separately detected with color Doppler ultrasonograph (HDI-5000). Then, total integral of plaque was calculated. The intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured with two-dimensional ultrasonography. The inner diameter stenosis degree of subjects who had plaque was measured. Blood flow parameters were recorded, and stenosis degree and plaque area were calculated. Blood flow volume of bilateral carotid artery and VA was separately measured with ultrasound equipment software, and brain blood flow volume was calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Atherosclerotic degree and blood flow volume of patients of two groups. RESULTS: Sixty patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and twenty subjects who received health examination participated in the final analysis. ①The IMT thickness, total plaque score, and total plaque area of patient group was significantly superior to that of control group, respectively（t=5.216–10.158，P < 0.05）. ② There were significant differences in the stenosis degree of CCA, ICA and VA between patient group and control group （t=6.720–12.816，P < 0.05）. ③ The blood flow volume of CCA, ICA, VA and brain of patient group was significantly lower than that of control group, respectively (t=2.872–10.860, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients have different degrees of changes in atherosclerosis and arterial blood flow.     

DSA对老年性颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环的应用价值

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of aortocranial DSA in collateral circulation in elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods Twenty-three elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery, admitted to our hospital from August 2008 to July 2010, were chosen; their DSA findings and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of these 23 patients, the collateral circulation was seen in 18(78.3%), including compensations from anterior communicating artery (n=16), posterior communicating artery (n=6), anterior together with posterior communicating artery (n=3), anterior choroidal artery (n=5),meningina artery between anterior cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery (n=5), meningina artery between posterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery (n=4), ophthalmic artery (n=15), blood vessel between posterior cerebral artery and superior cerebellar artery (n=3), and blood vessel among superior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n=2); after conservative treatment and long time follow-up (1 to 22 months with a mean of 11.2 moths),disappearance of clinical symptoms and no recurrence were found in these 18 patients. Five patients were noted without compensatory collateral circulation: the 2 paralysis patients could not take care of themselves even with the improvement of myodynamia from grade 0 to grade Ⅲ; the 2 patients with disturbance of consciousness showed no recovery and died from lung infection; the left 1 patient was having aphasia. Conclusion DSA can accurately define ways and compensative ability of collateral circulation in elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotidartery, which can put forward reliable evidences for their treatments and prognoses.     

Carotid endarterectomy for ameliorating the symptoms of transient ischemic attack☆○ A six-month postoperative follow-up

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy has certain risks, but it has obvious effects on preventing the occurrence of stroke. OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of carotid endarterectomy on ameliorating the clinical symptoms and physical signs of patients with cerebral ischemia. DESIGN: A follow-up study. SETTING: Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients with carotid atherosclerotic stenosis accompanied by ischemic symptoms were selected from the Department of Vascular Surgery, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from March 2005 to May 2007. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged from 40 to 81 years old with a mean age of 60 years old, and they were all clearly diagnosed by carotid color Doppler ultrasound. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients. The study was approved by the hospital ethical committee. METHODS: ① All the 16 patients were performed with unilateral stripping of arteriosclerotic plaque and Carotid endarterectomy, and 6 of them with bilateral stenosis was operated on the side with more serious stenosis. ② The clinical symptoms, physical signs before and after operation, and the operative complications were observed. ③ The patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. The smoothness of carotid arteries was detected with color Doppler ultrasound. The degrees of satisfaction to the quality of living were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Amelioration of clinical symptoms postoperatively; ② Smoothness of carotid arteries postoperatively; ③ Degrees of satisfaction to the quality of living; ④ Postoperative complications. RESULTS: All the 16 patients were involved in the final analysis of results. ① Amelioration of clinical symptoms and physical signs: The postoperative muscle strengths of 3 patients with stroke history were significantly ameliorated; For the 8 patients with TIA symptoms, and the symptoms disappeared completely in 6 cases of them; For the 5 patients with atypical nervous symptoms, the symptoms disappeared completely in 3 cases, and obviously alleviated in 2 cases. ② All the patients were good in smoothness of carotid arteries. ③ The degree of satisfaction to the quality of living was a little satisfied in 2 patients, very satisfied in 1 patient, and satisfied in the others. ④ Postoperative complications: The complications were injury of hypoglossal nerve in 4 patients (25%) and injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve in 1 patient (6%), and the complications recovered or turned better after conservative treatments for 1–3 months. CONCLUSION: Carotid endarterectomy can ameliorate the symptoms and physical signs of patients with cerebral ischemia, and it has mild postoperative complications.     

DSA对老年性颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环的应用价值

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of aortocranial DSA in collateral circulation in elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods Twenty-three elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery, admitted to our hospital from August 2008 to July 2010, were chosen; their DSA findings and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of these 23 patients, the collateral circulation was seen in 18(78.3%), including compensations from anterior communicating artery (n=16), posterior communicating artery (n=6), anterior together with posterior communicating artery (n=3), anterior choroidal artery (n=5),meningina artery between anterior cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery (n=5), meningina artery between posterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery (n=4), ophthalmic artery (n=15), blood vessel between posterior cerebral artery and superior cerebellar artery (n=3), and blood vessel among superior cerebellar artery, anterior inferior cerebellar artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n=2); after conservative treatment and long time follow-up (1 to 22 months with a mean of 11.2 moths),disappearance of clinical symptoms and no recurrence were found in these 18 patients. Five patients were noted without compensatory collateral circulation: the 2 paralysis patients could not take care of themselves even with the improvement of myodynamia from grade 0 to grade Ⅲ; the 2 patients with disturbance of consciousness showed no recovery and died from lung infection; the left 1 patient was having aphasia. Conclusion DSA can accurately define ways and compensative ability of collateral circulation in elderly patients with serious stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotidartery, which can put forward reliable evidences for their treatments and prognoses.     

脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的研究

目的 探讨脑梗死(CI)患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的状况.方法 对138例CI患者行颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查,观察其颈动脉斑块形成、性质及部位,并与正常对照组比较.结果 CI组138例中120例(87.7%)检出颈动脉粥样硬化斑块175块,正常对照组140人检出斑块为36人(25.7%)(P＜0.01).CI组中不稳定性斑块比率(80.8%)显著高于稳定性斑块(19.2%)(P＜0.01);斑块位于颈总动脉(CCA)(81.1%)显著高于颈内动脉(ICA)(18.9%)(P＜0.01);位于CCA分叉处(66.3%)又显著高于主干(14.9%)(P＜0.05).结论 CI患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的发生率高,多位于CCA分叉处,且大多为不稳定性斑块.提示CI与颈动脉粥样硬化有密切关系.     

血清五聚素3、超敏C反应蛋白、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2水平以及微栓子信号与大动脉粥样硬化型急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的相关研究

目的探讨血清五聚素3(PTX3)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(LpPLA2)水平以及微栓子信号(MES)与大动脉粥样硬化型急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系。方法依据中国缺血性卒中亚型分型(CISS),选取起病72 h内大动脉粥样硬化型急性脑梗死患者78例,使用二维彩色多普勒超声检测仪对颈动脉斑块的解剖和病理类型进行分析,将患者分为不稳定斑块组(40例)和稳定斑块组(38例),并同期从体检中心选取健康成人30名作为对照组。测定所有观察对象血清PTX3、hsCRP以及Lp-PLA2水平,分析各组间三种血液学指标水平的差异,并分别对三种血液学指标水平与颈动脉斑块稳定性进行相关性分析。对不稳定斑块组和稳定斑块组患者行TCD监测,分析两组之间MES检出率的差异。结果不稳定斑块组及稳定斑块组血清Hcy、hs-CRP、PTX3、Lp-PLA2水平及高血压的比例均明显高于对照组(均P0.05);不稳定斑块组他汀类用药史的比例明显高于对照组,血清PTX3、Lp-PLA2水平明显高于稳定斑块组(均P0.05)。不稳定斑块组的MES检出率显著高于稳定斑块组(P0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,血清PTX3、Lp-PLA2水平是与斑块稳定性密切相关的影响因素(均P0.05)。血清PTX3水平预测斑块稳定性的ROC曲线下面积为0.963(P0.05),其临界值为2.57 ng/m L时,灵敏度为78.9%,特异度为84.2%。血清Lp-PLA2水平预测斑块稳定性的ROC曲线下面积为0.927(P0.05),其临界值为54.35μg/L时,灵敏度为72.9%,特异度为81.6%。结论血清PTX3、Lp-PLA2水平可能是预测颈动脉斑块稳定性的生物学指标。MES监测对于颈动脉斑块的稳定性评估具有一定的临床意义。     

颈动脉超声造影与人血浆脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A_2在动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死预后判定中的应用

目的探讨颈动脉彩色超声造影和人血浆蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)在动脉粥样硬化血栓性脑梗死(ATCI)诊断和预后判定中的应用价值。方法利用彩色超声造影技术对30例ATCI患者和30例TIA患者的颈动脉斑块进行评估,采用增强免疫比浊法测定Lp-PLA_2含量,并与30例健康者进行比较。结果 (1)ATCI组和TIA组患者的颈动脉稳定粥样斑块发生率和颈动脉内-中膜厚度比较均无统计学意义(P0.05),但均高于正常对照组(P0.05);3组不稳定斑块发生率和Lp-PLA_2水平比较均有统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)ATCI组中随着患者NIHSS评分的增加,颈动脉不稳定斑块的发生率和Lp-PLA_2水平均随之升高(P0.05)。结论颈动脉斑块的性质和Lp-PLA_2与ATCI有一定的相关性;Lp-PLA_2能较准确地反映颈动脉斑块的稳定性,两种检查相联合可在一定程度上预测ATCI患者的预后。     

颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与脑梗死的临床相关分析

目的分析颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与脑梗死的关系。方法对临床诊断98例脑梗死(脑梗死组)和同时期的82例非脑梗死患者(对照组)行颈部血管行彩色多普勒超声检查,并对两组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率、大小、性质、好发部位以及颈动脉狭窄程度进行对比分析。结果 1脑梗死组与对照组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块检出率均较高,差异无统计学意义(81.6%vs72.9%,P0.05),但面积大于20mm2斑块的检出率急性脑梗死组显著高于对照组(38.8%vs9.8%,P0.01);2两组颈动脉硬化斑块的分布部位均以颈总动脉分叉处为主,两组间比较,差异无统计学意义(66.6%vs62.7%,P0.05);3两组颈动脉狭窄发生率及程度比较,脑梗死组均高于对照组(χ2=6.98,P0.05)。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成与脑梗死的有密切相关性,彩色多普勒超声技术对高风险、老年人的脑卒中早期预防及诊治有重要意义。     

Prevalence and frequency of microembolic signals in 105 patients with extracranial carotid artery occlusive disease

Besides the established factors "presence of symptoms" and "degree of stenosis", plaque echolucency is considered to be associated with increased risk of stroke in patients with carotid artery disease. An evaluation was carried out as to whether the prevalence and number of microembolic signals (MES) detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasound were higher in patients with echolucent carotid plaques. One hundred and five patients with carotid artery stenosis from 20%-99% or occlusion underwent clinical investigations, duplex ultrasound of the carotid arteries, and a 1 hour recording from the middle cerebral artery downstream to the carotid artery pathology using the four gate technique. The presence of MES was more frequent and the number greater in symptomatic patients (21 out of 64 patients (33%); mean number of MES in all 64 patients 3.1) than in asymptomatic patients (four out of 41 patients (10%); mean number of MES in all 41 patients 0.3) (p=0.007, and p=0.006, respectively). Echogenicity of the lesions did not affect either number or presence of MES. Positivity for MES and the number of MES increased with increasing degree of stenosis (both p=0.002). Four out of 12 patients with carotid artery occlusion showed MES. No MES could be detected in carotid artery stenosis below 80%. There was a decline in positivity of MES and of the number of MES with the time after the ischaemic event. After 80 days or more after the index event, only one patient showed MES. In conclusion, increasing degree of stenosis and presence of symptoms similarly affect macroembolic and microembolic risk. Thus MES may be a surrogate parameter for risk of stroke. The presence of MES in a few asymptomatic patients suggests that clinically silent circulating microemboli may give additional information on the pending embolic potential of carotid artery stenoses. Echolucency of the plaque was not related to an increased number of MES.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死的相关分析

目的探讨急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的发生与相关因素。方法应用美国ATL-5000彩色多普勒超声诊断仪，分别对急性脑梗死组（120例）和对照组（45例）行颈动脉超声检测，观察颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的发生与血糖、血脂、血浆纤维蛋白原的关系。结果急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的发生率为82．5％，对照组为33．3％，两者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块好发于分叉处；梗死侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率高于非梗死侧；两者比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；年龄、高血压、糖尿病、高胆固醇、血浆纤维蛋白原和低密度脂蛋白升高是脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的危险因素。结论颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死有密切相关性。超声检查能早期发现颈动脉粥样硬化。对有效预防脑梗死的发生有重要意义。急性脑梗死患者普遍有颈动脉粥样斑块的形成，是急性脑梗死发病的重要因素之一。     

前循环脑梗死患者血清PLGF水平与颈动脉粥样斑块超声特征的相关性研究

目的通过对颈内动脉系脑梗死患者进行颈动脉彩超检查,结合检测胎盘生长因子(PLGF)水平,探寻颈动脉易损斑块的敏感生物学标志物。方法根据颈动脉超声检查情况分为无斑块组、稳定斑块组、不稳定斑块组。对照组为年龄、性别与脑梗死组相匹配的同期住院的非脑血管病患者58例。所有研究对象均采用固相夹心法酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)测定血清PLGF,并进行颈动脉超声检查和卒中危险因素的测定,资料中数据均应用SPSS17.0软件进行分析。结果 (1)脑梗死组PLGF水平高于对照组,CAS斑块总检出率及不稳定斑块检出率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);(2)不稳定斑块组PLGF水平高于稳定斑块组和无斑块组(P<0.05);结论 (1)急性脑梗死患者PLGF水平增高,提示PLGF参与了脑梗死的发生发展过程;(2)急性脑梗死患者不稳定斑块组PLGF水平高于稳定斑块组和无斑块组,提示PLGF水平越高,CAS斑块的稳定性越差,PLGF可作为颈动脉易损斑块的敏感生物学标志物来评估颈动脉病变的严重程度。     

Microembolic signals and carotid plaque morphology: a study of 71 patients with moderate or high grade carotid stenosis

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether particular carotid plaque features on ultrasound are more likely to produce microembolic signals (MES). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed 71 patients with moderate or high grade carotid stenosis established by ultrasound (30-99%). Plaque appearance was classified according to five subtypes. Transcranial monitoring of the middle cerebral arteries was performed on each patient. RESULTS: MES were more frequently encountered in patients with anechogenic/hypoechogenic plaques compared with isoechogenic/hyperechogenic lesions (P < 0.01). MES+ patients presented also more frequently an irregular surface of the plaque and more severe stenosis, however, the differences did not reach significance. There was no relationship between the presence of MES and a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). When considering the different above mentioned variables (logistic regression), only plaque morphology appeared to be a risk factor for the presence of MES. CONCLUSION: MES+ patients presented a significantly increased frequency of anechogenic/hypoechogenic plaques. As MES may be a marker of increased risk of stroke, the clinical significance of this particular association should be further investigated.     

短暂性脑缺血发作患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块检测

目的探讨短暂性脑缺血发作(transient ischemic attack,TIA)与颈动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法观察对象分为2组,短暂性脑缺血发作患者(以下简称TIA组)57例,对照组为同期门诊健康体检者50例,2组分别行颈动脉超声检查,检查项目包括动脉内膜中膜厚度(intima-media thickness,I MT)、管腔狭窄程度、斑块位置、斑块类型及性质等。结果TIA组I MT明显高于对照组(P<0.01);TIA组颈动脉管腔狭窄率明显高于对照组(P<0.01);斑块发生率TIA组明显高于对照组(P<0.01);软斑占总斑块百分率,TIA组明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论短暂性脑缺血发作与颈动脉粥样硬化密切相关,颈动脉超声检查是一项可靠的评价颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的方法。     

阿托伐他汀治疗脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的临床研究

目的观察阿托伐他汀对脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的治疗作用。方法选择有颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的脑梗死患者82例,随机分为阿托伐他汀治疗组（42例）和对照组（40例）。分别于入院时、治疗第3个月、6个月、12个月动态监测2组患者的血脂水平,并进行颈动脉超声检查评估颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内膜-中层厚度（IMT）。结果2组间血脂变化无显著性差异（P〉0．05）;颈动脉斑块IMT在6个月后治疗组厚度缩小,对照组厚度增加,2组与初诊时比较差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．05）。结论阿托伐他汀除有良好的降脂作用外,还有稳定甚至减轻动脉粥样硬化的作用。