脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿与脑卒中危险因素及复发的相关性

背景国外研究发现脑卒中危险因素与微量白蛋白尿有一定的关系,但结果并不一致.目的研究急性脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿的发生率、与脑卒中危险因素及脑梗死复发的关系.设计以急性脑梗死患者和有脑梗死危险因素者为研究对象,以健康老年人为对照组的病例-对照研究.单位一所大学医院的神经内科病房.对象选择2000-01/2001-12重庆医科大学附属第一医院神经内科脑梗死及有脑梗死危险因素的住院病例共214例,年龄50～80岁.急性脑梗死组(发病在1周之内)78例,脑梗死危险因素组,如高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、短暂性脑缺血发作或脑卒中史(6个月以上)患者56例,28例健康老年人作为对照组.其中联合组包括急性脑梗死患者78例和脑梗死危险因素组中有短暂性脑缺血发作或脑卒中史者31例,共109例.方法测定过夜空腹12 h以上血白蛋白、血肌酐、血糖、总胆固醇、总三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇;用放射免疫法测定早晨第1次尿中白蛋白.主要观察指标①终点结局指标随访2年新血管事件(包括脑卒中复发、心肌梗死和血管性死亡)的发生率;②危险性指标脑梗死危险因素与微量白蛋白尿的关系;③替代指标各组微量白蛋白尿的发生率.结果急性脑梗死患者中微量白蛋白尿者占35%,显著高于脑梗死危险因素组(15%)和对照组(3.5%)(P均＜0.01).急性脑梗死组和联合组中存在6个独立预测微量白蛋白尿的危险因素,分别是糖尿病、血白蛋白水平、年龄、冠心病、高血压及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).随访(1.5±0.9)年,急性脑梗死组23%再发血管意外,显著高于脑梗死危险因素组(12%)和对照组(0%)(P均＜0.01).急性脑梗死组微量白蛋白尿者36%再发血管意外,与大量白蛋白尿者(41%)和正常白蛋白尿者(10%)相比,差异均有显著性意义(P＜0.05).在急性脑梗死组、脑梗死危险因素组控制糖尿病、高血压后,微量白蛋白尿是脑卒中复发独立的预测指标,危险率分别是3.8(95%CI,1.2～13.5;P＜0.05)、4.7(95%CI,1.4～16.7;P＜0.01).结论急性脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿较常见.在调整脑卒中基本危险因素后,微量白蛋白尿是脑梗死复发的独立危险因素.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死复发临床关系探讨

目的探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死复发的关系。方法收集脑梗死住院患者241例,通过颈动脉彩超检查颈动脉粥样硬化情况,随访观察有无脑梗死复发。结果 241例脑梗死患者有23例复发性脑梗死,脑梗死复发和未复发患者颈动脉斑块检出率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);复发脑梗死患者颈总动脉、颈动脉分叉处血管内中膜厚度值(CCA-IMT、ICA-IMT、BIF-IMT)明显高于未复发患者(P<0.01)。结论颈动脉内中膜厚度增厚患者脑梗死复发率增高。     

脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿与脑卒中危险因素及复发的相关性

背景：国外研究发现脑卒中危险因素与微量白蛋白尿有一定的关系，但结果并不一致。目的：研究急性脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿的发生率、与脑卒中危险因素及脑梗死复发的关系。设计：以急性脑梗死患者和有脑梗死危险因素者为研究对象，以健康老年人为对照组的病例一对照研究。单位：一所大学医院的神经内科病房。对象：选择2000-01／2001—12重庆医科大学附属第一医院神经内科脑梗死及有脑梗死危险因素的住院病例共214例，年龄50～80岁。急性脑梗死组(发病在1周之内)78例，脑梗死危险因素组，如高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、短暂性脑缺血发作或脑卒中史(6个月以上)患者56例，28例健康老年人作为对照组。其中联合组包括急性脑梗死患者78例和脑梗死危险因素组中有短暂性脑缺血发作或脑卒中史者3l例，共109例。方法：测定过夜空腹12h以上血白蛋白、血肌酐、血糖、总胆固醇、总三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇；用放射免疫法测定早晨第1次尿中自蛋白。主要观察指标：①终点结局指标：随访2年新血管事件(包括脑卒中复发、心肌梗死和血管性死亡)的发生率；②危险性指标：脑梗死危险因素与微量白蛋白尿的关系；③替代指标：各组微量白蛋白尿的发生率。结果：急性脑梗死患者中微量白蛋白尿者占35％，显著高于脑梗死危险因素组(15％)和对照组(3．5％)(P均&;lt;0．01)。急性脑梗死组和联合组中存在6个独立预测微量白蛋白尿的危险因素，分别是糖尿病、血白蛋白水平、年龄、冠心病、高血压及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(P&;lt;0．05或P&;lt;0．01)。随访(1．5&;#177;0．9)年，急性脑梗死组23％再发血管意外，显著高于脑梗死危险因素组(12％)和对照组(0％)(P均&;lt;0．01)。急性脑梗死组微量白蛋白尿者36％再发血管意外，与大量白蛋白尿者(41％)和正常白蛋白尿者(10％)相比，差异均有显著性意义(P&;lt;0．05)。在急性脑梗死组、脑梗死危险因素组控制糖尿病、高血压后，微量白蛋白尿是脑卒中复发独立的预测指标，危险率分别是3．8(95％CI，1．2～13．5；P&;lt;0．05)、4．7(95％CI,1．4-16．7；P&;lt;0．01)。结论：急性脑梗死患者微量白蛋白尿较常见。在调整脑卒中基本危险因素后，微量白蛋白尿是脑梗死复发的独立危险因素。     

主动脉根内径与老年脑梗死的关系

目的:研究60岁以上老人主动脉根内径宽度(AOD)与脑梗死(CI)的关系.方法:对265例CI患者和130例正常对照者,由专人使用二维超声于心室长轴切面心室收缩末期测量AOD.检测血压、空腹血糖、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)等生化指标.结果:CI患者AOD(29.6±2.8)mm高于正常对照者(27.2±2.3)mm,两组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).CI患者血压、TC及LDL-C水平均高于正常对照者(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).Logistic多元回归分析显示AOD是CI发病的独立危险因素(OR1.49,95%CI1.15～1.87,P＜0.01).结论:AOD与CI有较好的相关性,主动脉硬化是CI的重要危险因素.     

血浆同型半胱氨酸与脑梗死的相关性分析

目的探讨血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)及血脂水平与脑梗死的关系。方法对90例急性脑梗死患者在起病3 d内检测其血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)水平,以同期门诊32例健康体检者为对照组,分析血浆同型半胱氨酸及血脂水平与脑梗死发病的相关性。结果急性脑梗死组血浆Hcy、TG、TC水平明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Hcy、TC和高血压病为急性脑梗死发病的独立危险因素。结论高同型半胱氨酸血症是脑梗死患者的独立危险因素,血浆同型半胱氨酸可作为常规检查,在预防和减少脑梗死的发病中有重要意义。     

脑梗死患者行溶栓治疗后出血转化的危险因素分析

目的:分析脑梗死患者行溶栓治疗后出血转化的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析2016年9月～2018年12月行溶栓治疗的294例脑梗死患者临床资料。根据是否发生出血转化将294例患者分为出血转化组(n=46)和无出血转化组(n=248)。对比两组体质量指数、舒张压、收缩压、溶栓前空腹血糖、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、三酰甘油、溶栓前美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表评分、吸烟、酗酒等情况,明确脑梗死患者行溶栓治疗后出血转化的危险因素。结果:两组体质量指数、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、三酰甘油、吸烟、酗酒情况对比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);出血转化组舒张压、收缩压、空腹血糖及美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表评分均高于无出血转化组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示,收缩压及溶栓前美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表评分是脑梗死患者溶栓治疗后出血转化的独立危险因素(P0.05)。结论:收缩压及溶栓前美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表评分是脑梗死患者行溶栓治疗后出血转化的独立危险因素,故在脑梗死患者行溶栓治疗时应结合患者血压、神经功能等因素,积极预防出血转化的发生。     

高同型半胱氨酸血症脑梗死患者复发的相关因素分析

[目的]探讨高同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)血症的脑梗死患者复发的相关因素.[方法]收集2011年1月至2012年7月在本院神经内科住院的120例高Hcy血症的急性缺血性脑卒中患者,经随访6个月无复发的为初发脑梗死(F组)100例;在脑内出现新的梗死病灶,并有相应的体征的为复发性脑梗死(R组)20例,测定其血清Hcy、血糖、甘油三脂(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平并对其结果进行比较分析.[结果]R组的同型半胱氨酸为(28.29±11.62)μmol/L,F组同型半胱氨酸为(21.10±9.23)μmol/L,两组相比差异有显著性(P＜0.05).F组与R组比较:Hcy、LDL-C明显降低,HDL-C明显升高,且差异有显著性(P＜0.05).TG、TC两组相比较差异无显著性(P＞0.05).高Hcy血症脑梗死R组患有高血压、糖尿病、冠心病者与F组相比差异无显著性(P＞0.05).复发组伴有多种危险因素的比率显著高于初发组.[结论]除高血压、糖尿病、冠心病是脑梗死复发的传统危险因素外,对于伴有高Hcy血症的脑梗死的复发,Hcy是主要的危险因素.     

老年人群异常血糖波动与动脉硬化关系的研究

目的探讨老年人群异常血糖波动与动脉硬化的关系。方法选取血糖异常初诊患者100例,所有患者均予动态血糖监测(CGMS),并行颈动脉血管超声检测。根据颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(CCAIMT)分为2组:CCA-IMT0.9 mm为正常组(A组,n=52);CCA-IMT≥0.9 mm为增厚组(B组,n=48)。结果①A组患者收缩压、舒张压、体质量指数(BMI)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2 hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、平均血糖波动幅度(MAGE)、Ln〔日间血糖平均绝对差(MODD)〕均小于B组,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05);但两组患者年龄、性别、病程、吸烟史差异无统计学意义(P0.05)②Logistic回归分析显示:患者SBP高、MAGE高是CCA-IMT增厚的危险因素,OR值分别为1.070、1.479(P0.05)。结论老年血糖异常人群的日内血糖波动是动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素之一。     

血脂水平与复发性脑梗死的关系分析

目的:探讨复发性脑梗死的危险因素和预防措施.方法:收集65例复发性脑梗死和同期65例首发脑梗死患者的临床资料,对两组患者的血脂水平和降血脂治疗情况进行多因素Logistic回归分析.结果:甘油三酯(TG) (OR＝1.127,P＜0.05)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C) (OR＝9.116,P＜0.05)与复发性脑梗死密切相关,降血脂治疗(OR＝0.310,P＜0.01)为脑梗死复发的保护性因素.结论:TG和LDL-C是脑梗死复发的危险因素,而降血脂治疗是防止脑梗死复发有意义的保护因素.     

超声评价颈动脉内-中膜厚度与脑梗死的关系

目的应用超声检查评估颈总动脉(CCA)内-中膜厚度(IMT)与脑梗死的关系,协助筛选脑梗死高危人群。方法应用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪,对138例脑梗死患者以及123例对照组行颈动脉超声检查,记录每例受检者双侧CCA-IMT。结果CCA-IMT每增加一个单位(0.15mm),发生脑梗死的危险性增加69%(优势比,1.69;95%可信区间,1.17~2.45);调整年龄、性别和传统危险因素后,发生脑梗死的危险性增加52%(优势比,1.52;95%可信区间,1.03~2.25)。结论①CCA-IMT增加可使脑梗死危险性增加;②CCA-IMT增加有助于筛选脑梗死高危人群。     

颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死复发的关系

目的探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与脑梗死复发的关系。方法连续收集急性脑梗死住院患者268例,通过颈动脉彩超检查颈动脉粥样硬化情况,随访观察有无脑梗死复发。结果随访12个月内,268例脑梗死患者有25例（9.33%）复发脑梗死,复发和未复发脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块检出率差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;复发脑梗死患者低回声、混合性回声斑块的出现率及颈总动脉、颈动脉分叉处血管内中膜厚度值明显高于未复发患者（P〈0.05）。结论颈动脉内中膜厚度增厚及伴有低回声和混合密度回声斑块患者脑梗死复发率增高。     

Markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: A meta-analysis of literature studies

Abstract

Several studies reported on the association between antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and venous thrombosis. In contrast, little is known about cardiovascular (CV) risk in APS. We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of APS on major markers of CV risk.

Studies on the relationship between APS and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), internal carotid artery IMT (ICA-IMT), carotid bifurcation IMT (BIF-IMT), prevalence of carotid plaques, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. Twenty case-control studies (668 cases, 678 controls) were included. Compared to controls, APS patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (mean difference [MD] 0.11 mm; 95% CI 0.07, 0.14), ICA-IMT (MD 0.08 mm; 95% CI 0.05, 0.11), BIF-IMT (MD 0.09 mm; 95% CI 0.06, 0.12) and a higher frequency of carotid plaques (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.61, 9.31). Moreover, a lower FMD was found in APS subjects than in controls (MD –4.49%; 95% CI –6.20, –2.78), with no differences in NMD (MD –1.80%; 95% CI –4.01, 0.42). Finally, an increased prevalence of pathological ABI was found in APS patients compared to controls (OR 7.26; 95% CI 1.77, 29.71).

Despite heterogeneity among studies, APS appears significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings can be useful to plan adequate prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches.     

Equivalence of plaque score and intima-media thickness of carotid ultrasonography for predicting severe coronary artery lesion

Carotid atherosclerosis appears to be predictive of myocardial infarction. Because several sonographical indices are available for carotid ultrasound (US), we compared "blindly" the potential utilities of those indices for predicting coronary lesions in 270 patients. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by the following four indices: plaque score (PlaS), intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid artery (CCA-IMT), IMT of bulb to internal carotid artery (Bulb-ICA-IMT), and combined IMT measurement from all segments. The existence of coronary lesions was diagnosed by > 50% stenosis in diameter in coronary arteries. All indices were associated with coronary lesions independent of risk factors. By receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, ROC areas defined by Bulb-ICA-IMT (0.76 to 0.86), combined IMT (0.76 to 0.86) and PS (0.76 to 0.87) were greater than that defined by CCA-IMT (0.64 to 0.76). In conclusion, PlaS, Bulb-ICA-IMT and combined IMT are equally effective and could be better than CCA-IMT for predicting coronary lesions in a population with cardiovascular risk.     

高血压病左室心肌重构与颈动脉重构的相关性

目的探讨原发性高血压病左室心肌重构与颈动脉重构的相关性.方法63例原发性高血压患者(EH)和22例对照者行心脏及颈动脉超声检查,分别测量左室质量指数(LVMI)、颈总动脉干内-中膜厚度(CCA-IMT)、分叉处内-中膜厚度(BIMT)、斑块以及两侧颈总动脉、颈内动脉的血流动力学参数,EH组中,又分为LVMI正常组和LVMI增高组.结果EH组CCA-IMT和BIMT高于对照组,其中LVMI增高组最高.EH组颈动脉收缩期峰值流速(PSV)、舒张末期流速(EDV)降低,PSV/EDV、阻力指数(RI)和搏动指数(PI)增高.斑块检出率及严重程度在LVMI增高组最高,LVMI正常组次之,两者均明显高于正常对照组.LVMI与IMT、BIMT、PI、RI呈正相关,与PSV、EDV呈负相关.结论高血压病颈动脉重构的发生早于左室心肌重构,且两者密切相关.     

Carotid intima-media thickness in relation to macrovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Increased carotid intima-media thickness is regarded as a marker of atherosclerosis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a high prevalence of macrovascular disease. MAIN PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and the presence of macrovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: 71 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied. The distal common carotid artery and carotid bifurcation intima-media thickness were measured bilaterally with high-resolution ultrasonography. The relationship between the presence of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease and carotid intima-media thickness was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with coronary artery disease had significantly (p = 0.048) increased intima-media thickness of the distal common carotid artery. This difference ceased to be significant after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with peripheral arterial disease had a significantly higher bifurcation (p < 0.0001), distal common carotid (p = 0.03) and mean intima-media thickness (p = 0.0008) than did those without peripheral arterial disease. This difference remained significant even after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. In the multiple linear regression analysis, the presence of peripheral arterial disease, age and male gender significantly predicted bifurcation intima-media thickness, while age and the presence of peripheral arterial disease significantly predicted mean intima-medial thickness. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was related to the presence of peripheral arterial disease. This finding probably reflects morphologic and hemodynamic similarities between the two vascular beds and indicates that increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes may be a marker of atherosclerosis in different locations.     

颈动脉超声参数在评价维持性血液透析患者动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病中的应用

目的 探讨维持性血液透析(MHD)患者颈动脉超声参数与Framingham危险评分(FRS)的关系及在预测动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病(ASCVD)中的价值.方法 共入选129例MHD患者,采用FRS和共存疾病指数(ICED)评估MHD患者ASCVD及危险因素;颈动脉B超测定颈总动脉内-中膜厚度(CCA-IMT)、颈总动脉最大内-中膜厚度(CCA-IMTmax),计算颈总动脉内-中膜横切面积(CCA-IMarea),同时记录有无颈动脉斑块(CPs).结果 根据血管病变支数和严重程度评分分组,结果显示,随着血管支数增加和病变程度加重,CCA-IMT、CCA-IMarea、CCA-IMTmax、CPs和FRS逐渐增高(P＜0.01).Logistic回归分析结果显示CPs、FRS是预测ASCVD发生的独立变量;CPs、FRS可独立预测冠状动脉性心脏病发生;CCA-IMT、CCA-IMarea可独立预测脑血管疾病发生;CPs、CCA-IMT、CCA-IMarea、FRS均可预测外周血管疾病发生.结论 CCA-IMT预测ASCVD的准确性优于CCA-IMarea、CCA-IMTmax.     

Visceral Adipose Tissue Is a Better Predictor of Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Compared with Waist Circumference

We investigated whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured by ultrasonography is better than waist circumference (WC) in predicting the presence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. We recruited 100 individuals without a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. VAT volume was measured by ultrasonography and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) by B-mode ultrasonography. Both VAT and WC were positively associated with body mass index, triglycerides, uric acid, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and high sensitivity C-reactive protein and inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, only VAT was associated with CCA-IMT (r = 0.309, p = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that VAT, but not WC, was an independent predictor of carotid plaques after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.017, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.003–1.031, p = 0.017), and this association persisted after additional adjustment for WC (OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 1.003–1.031, p = 0.027). Our data suggest that VAT volume measured by ultrasonography may be a better predictor of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis than waist circumference in healthy individuals.     

Cardiovascular risk markers in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A meta-analysis of literature studies

Abstract

Introduction. Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of PsA on major markers of CV risk.

Methods. Studies on the relationship between PsA and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), prevalence of carotid plaques, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases.

Results. Sixteen case-control studies (898 cases, 1,140 controls) were included. Compared to controls, PsA patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (MD 0.07 mm; 95% CI 0.04, 0.11; P < 0.0001), and a higher frequency of carotid plaques (OR 3.12; 95% CI 1.03, 9.39; P = 0.04). Moreover, a lower FMD was found in PsA subjects than in controls (MD –2.56%; 95% CI –4.17, –0.94; P = 0.002), with no differences in NMD (MD –0.40%; 95% CI –1.19, 0.39; P = 0.32). Because of the low number of studies, no meta- analytical evaluation was performed for PWV, AIx, and ABI. Despite heterogeneity among studies, PsA appears significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk.

Discussion. These findings could help to establish more specific CV prevention strategies in this clinical setting.     

Relationship Between CarotidIntima-Media Thickness and Silent Cerebral Infarction in Japanese Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

We examined the relationship between intima-media thickness of common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) and silent cerebral infarction (SCI) with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The brain MRI study and the carotid ultrasonography were performed in a total of 217 consecutive Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. Various risk factors for SCI were examined using multiple logistic analyses.

RESULTS

The SCI was found in 60.4% of the diabetic subjects. In the diabetic subjects, age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse wave velocity, and CCA-IMT were significantly higher in the subjects with SCI than in those without it. Multiple logistic analyses indicated that age, SBP, and CCA-IMT were significant and independent risk factors of SCI in the diabetic subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

CCA-IMT, but not pulse wave velocity, was independently associated with SCI in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes.People with type 2 diabetes are at high risk for silent cerebral infarction (SCI) compared with people without diabetes (1,2). Because SCI is the preclinical stage for symptomatic stroke and associated with cognitive decline, it is clinically important to identify SCI in patients with diabetes.The measurement of intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) by ultrasonography has been recognized as a powerful method to identify subclinical atherosclerosis. Increased CCA-IMT is reported to be associated with stroke in subjects including those with diabetes (3–5). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between CCA-IMT and SCI detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in subjects with type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we examined the relationship between CCA-IMT and SCI in subjects with type 2 diabetes.     

Lipoprotein(a) and ultrasonographically determined early atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and femoral artery

Summary.  Recent studies suggest that high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] plasma levels are associated with symptomatic ischemic cardiovascular disease. We examined whether Lp(a) plasma levels are associated with early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes in a group of asymptomatic subjects. In a group of 142 asymptomatic men, the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery, the carotid bifurcation and the common femoral artery was determined by B-mode ultrasonography. In addition to Lp(a) levels, established risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels were determined. Lipoprotein(a) values ranged from 2 mg L⁻¹ to 900 mg L⁻¹ (median 145 mg L⁻¹). Linear regression analysis showed a clear association of IMT with the established risk factors but not with Lp(a) [regression coefficient carotid artery −0.0003, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.002–0.001; regression coefficient femoral artery −0.0003, 95% CI −0.004–0.003]. We found no increased intima-media thickness in the carotid or femoral artery at high levels of Lp(a). Lipoprotein(a) levels are not associated with early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes in the carotid or femoral artery.