Unstable Carotid Plaque is Associated With Coagulation Function and Platelet Activity Evaluated by Thrombelastography

Background: Rupture of unstable carotid plaque and consequently occlusive thrombus formation for the most part cause ischemic cerebral vascular event. Many researchers have been studying on the risk predictors of carotid plaque formation. But the risk factors for unstable carotid plaque have not been researched for so much. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the association of coagulation function and carotid plaque especially unstable plaque by thrombelastography (TEG). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Consecutive eligible patients with acute ischemic stroke were included and their TEG data were collected. Carotid plaque was evaluated by carotid ultrasound. Echolucent plaque and heterogeneous echo plaque in ultrasound were classified as unstable carotid plaque. Patients were classified according to being with carotid plaque or unstable plaque for comparison. Results: Four hundred and seven patients were enrolled. Compared to those without carotid plaques, patients with carotid plaques had higher ages, higher incidence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, lower k (P = .017) and higher angle (P = .021) on TEG. In the comparison between groups with unstable plaque and stable plaque, no significant difference was found in baseline characteristics; higher serum fibrinogen and higher maximum amplitude on TEG were significantly correlated to unstable carotid plaques (P = .051, P = .009). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that age, hypertension, and smoking were independent risk factors of carotid plaques formation; higher serum fibrinogen was an independent risk factor of unstable plaques formation. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that carotid plaques formation in ischemic stroke patients has a link to abnormal coagulation function, while high platelet activity has an additional contribution to unstable plaque formation.     

脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块稳定性及其相关因素分析

目的探讨脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性及其有关危险因素。方法对139例脑梗死患者行颈部血管超声和血液检查;根据颈部血管超声分为斑块稳定组和不稳定组,比较2组间颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的稳定性及危险因素的差异。结果脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率85.61%,不稳定组血清总胆固醇（CHOL）、甘油三酯（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、同型半胱氨酸（HCY）、纤维蛋白原（FIB）水平及性别、糖尿病史、吸烟患者比例与稳定组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与脑梗死密切相关,高水平的CHOL、TG、HCY、FIB,低水平的HDL-C及糖尿病史、吸烟史促使颈动脉粥样硬化斑块演变为不稳定斑块,故积极控制上述危险因素对预防脑梗死发生有重要意义。     

脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素分析

目的探讨急性脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素以及影响斑块稳定性的因素。方法入选2005~2006年间住院的急性脑梗死患者644例,超声检查其颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(intima-media thickness,IMT)及颈动脉斑块情况,并与血管性危险因素和代谢因素进行相关分析。结果年龄、吸烟、糖尿病史、收缩压、总胆固醇及血清尿酸增高与颈动脉IMT增厚存在独立相关性,而年龄、收缩压、总胆固醇及脂蛋白(a)增高则可独立预测颈动脉斑块的形成。性别、高血压史、总胆固醇及高密度脂蛋白和颈动脉斑块的稳定性之间存在独立相关性。结论年龄、吸烟、糖尿病史、收缩压、总胆固醇、脂蛋白(a)及血清尿酸增高可独立预测颈动脉粥样硬化。     

脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块与高血压、血脂异常关系的探讨

目的　探讨脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块与血脂异常、高血压等危险因素的相互关系。方法　应用彩色多谱勒仪对收住入院的 2 2 6例脑梗死患者进行颈部超声检查。根据颈动脉斑块有无分为 2组 :颈动脉斑块组和正常对照组。颈动脉斑块组根据其超声波回声分为低回声组、中回声组、强回声组 3组。记录每例患者高血压、糖尿病、吸烟史 ,测量血压、血糖、血脂分析、血浆纤维蛋白原浓度。结果　颈动脉斑块组收缩压、舒张压、血胆固醇、甘油三脂水平均高于正常组 ;低回声斑块组血浆高密度脂蛋白 (HDL)下降、而低密度脂蛋白 (LDL)及收缩压增高与中高回声组相比有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　高血压、血脂异常与脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块形成及斑块回声强度相关 ,应积极控制危险因素     

Three-dimensional ultrasound observation of carotid artery plaque ulceration

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid artery plaque ulceration is associated with an increased risk of cerebral embolism. However, because of the rather poor diagnostic quality of conventional 2-D ultrasound and angiography compared with the evaluation of pathological specimens, little information exists on the natural course of carotid plaque ulceration. Recently, the introduction of 3-D ultrasound has made reproducible investigation of plaque morphology possible, providing a reliable plaque surface analysis. METHODS: We performed 3-D ultrasound examinations of 17 carotid artery plaques with an ulcerated surface in a prospective study of 16 patients (10 men, 6 women; mean+/-SD age 68.9+/-7.1 years) over a mean observation period of 17.6+/-6.3 months. Exactly parallel B-mode ultrasound scans (slice distance 0.1 mm) were acquired with a 5-MHz linear array probe clamped in a carriage device and driven by a mechanical step motor. The recorded images were reconstructed into a volumetric data set in a Cartesian coordinate system. RESULTS: At the end of the observation period, surface configuration had changed in 4 cases (23.5%). Plaque ulceration regressed in 3 cases, whereas ulcer progression occurred in 1 case. The remaining 13 plaques (76. 5%) showed an unchanged surface configuration. CONCLUSIONS: Through the use of 3-D ultrasound, it is possible to noninvasively examine the regression and progression of carotid artery plaque ulceration.     

Extracranial carotid plaque is increasing in Japanese ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of extracranial carotid plaque and the association between risk factors and carotid plaque in Japanese patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: We consecutively recruited patients with ischemic stroke admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to September 2002. Neurologic signs and a brain magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed ischemic stroke. All subjects underwent a carotid ultrasonography. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors that independently contributed to the presence of carotid plaques. RESULTS: Carotid plaques were identified in 76.2% of the patients and bilateral plaques were found in 58.2%. These lesions were more frequent in comparison with previous Japanese reports. The risk factors that independently contributed to the presence of extracranial carotid plaques were hypertension, age, smoking and past history of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that extracranial carotid plaque is increasing in Japanese patients with ischemic stroke.     

颈动脉超声对冠状动脉狭窄患者缺血性脑血管疾病的评价及其与传统危险因素的关系

目的探讨颈动脉超声对预测冠状动脉狭窄患者颅内动脉狭窄的价值,以及颈动脉超声相对于其它动脉粥样硬化主要危险因素预测缺血性心脑血管疾病的优越性。方法对209例经血管造影证实冠状动脉狭窄(≥70%)的患者采用彩色多谱勒血流成像(CDFI)和经颅多普勒超声(TCD)分别检查颈动脉和颅内动脉,并将患者分为颈动脉狭窄组与非狭窄组;脑动脉狭窄组与非狭窄组,分别比较狭窄组与非狭窄组之间的危险因素及生化指标,进一步对冠状动脉狭窄合并颅内动脉狭窄的主要危险因素与颈动脉超声结果中具有显著性统计学意义的指标,分析二者之间的相关性。结果颈动脉超声对缺血性心脑血管疾病的预测价值较传统的危险因素更高。结论高血压病、颈动脉球部内膜增厚、多发斑块及不均质回声斑块对冠状动脉狭窄患者颅内动脉狭窄有明显的促进作用。采用CDFI对确诊冠状动脉狭窄患者进行检测,对心脑血管事件高危人群进行筛选、评价治疗疗效和预后具有重要意义。     

Association of Carotid Plaques and Common Carotid Intima-media Thickness with Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors

ObjectiveTo assess the association of carotid plaques and common carotid artery intima-media thickness with traditional modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsWe examined 4,266 participants aged 35–74years in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) baseline. The presence of plaques at all carotid arteries sites was evaluated. The mean far wall common carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured. To evaluate the association of cardiovascular risk factors with plaques and plaque burden, we applied logistic regression models presented as crude, adjusted by sociodemographic variables, along with multivariate further adjustment for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. For the association of cardiovascular risk factors and common carotid artery intima-media thickness, linear regression models were used with the same adjustments.ResultsMedian age was 51 years (interquartile range: 45–58 years; 54.5% of females). Plaque prevalence in at least one segment of the carotid arteries was 35.9%. Mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness of the far walls was 0.609 ± 0.133 mm. In the multivariate model for plaque presence, the odds ratios were:1.39 (1.19–1.63) for hypertension;1.58 (1.36–1.82) for hypercholesterolemia; 2.00 (1.65–2.43),1.19 (1.02–1.40) for current and past smoking, and 1.13 (0.95–1.35) for diabetes. In the multivariate linear regression models, common carotid artery intima-media thickness beta-coefficients were: 0.035 mm (0.027–0.043) for hypertension; 0.020 mm (0.013–0.027) for hypercholesterolemia; 0.020 mm (0.010–0.029), 0.012 mm (0.004–0.020) for current and past smoking, and 0.024 mm (0.015–0.033) for diabetes.ConclusionCardiovascular risk factors were independently associated with increasing common carotid artery intima-media thickness, plaque prevalence, and plaque scores. Diabetes did not show an independent association with plaques in the multivariate model.     

Carotid plaque, intima media thickness, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalent cardiovascular disease in men and women: the British Regional Heart Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: B-mode ultrasound is a noninvasive method of examining the walls of peripheral arteries and provides measures of the intima-media thickness (IMT) at various sites (common carotid artery, bifurcation, internal carotid artery) and of plaques that may indicate early presymptomatic disease. The reported associations between cardiovascular risk factors, clinical disease, IMT, and plaques are inconsistent. We sought to clarify these relationships in a large, representative sample of men and women living in 2 British towns. METHODS: The study was performed during 1996 in 2 towns (Dewsbury and Maidstone) of the British Regional Heart Study that have an approximately 2-fold difference in coronary heart disease risk. The male participants were drawn from the British Regional Heart Study and were recruited in 1978-1980 and form part of a national cohort study of 7735 men. A random sample of women of similar age to the men (55 to 77 years) was also selected from the age-sex register of the general practices used in the original survey. A wide range of data on social, lifestyle, and physiological factors, cardiovascular disease symptoms, and diagnoses was collected. Measures of right and left common carotid IMT (IMTcca) and bifurcation IMT (IMTbif) were made, and the arteries were examined for plaques 1.5 cm above and below the flow divider. RESULTS: Totals of 425 men and 375 women were surveyed (mean age, 66 years; range, 56 to 77 years). The mean (SD) IMTcca observed were 0. 84 (0.21) and 0.75 (0.16) mm for men and women, respectively. The mean (SD) IMTbif were 1.69 (0.61) and 1.50 (0.77) mm for men and women, respectively. The correlation between IMTcca and IMTbif was similar in men (r=0.36) and women (r=0.38). There were no differences in mean IMTcca or IMTbif between the 2 towns. Carotid plaques were very common, affecting 57% (n=239) of men and 58% (n=211) of women. Severe carotid plaques with flow disturbance were rare, affecting 9 men (2%) and 6 women (1.6%). Plaques increased in prevalence with age, affecting 49% men and 39% of women aged <60 years and 65% and 75% of men and women, respectively, aged >70 years. Plaques were most common among men in Dewsbury (79% affected) and least common among men in Maidstone (34% affected). IMTcca showed a different pattern of association with cardiovascular risk factors from IMTbif and was associated with age, SBP, and FEV1 but not with social, lifestyle, or other physiological risk factors. IMTbif and carotid plaques were associated with smoking, manual social class, and plasma fibrinogen. IMTbif and carotid plaques were associated with symptoms and diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases. IMTbif associations with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease appeared to be explained by the presence of plaques in regression models and in analyses stratified by plaque status. CONCLUSIONS: IMTcca, IMTbif, and plaque are correlated with each other but show differing patterns of association with risk factors and prevalent disease. IMTcca is strongly associated with risk factors for stroke and with prevalent stroke, whereas IMTbif and plaque are more directly associated with ischemic heart disease risk factors and prevalent ischemic heart disease. Our analyses suggest that presence of plaque, rather than the thickness of IMTbif, appears to be the major criterion of high risk of disease, but confirmation of these findings in other populations and in prospective studies is required. The association of fibrinogen with plaque appears to be similar to its association with incident cardiovascular disease. Further work elucidating the composition of plaques using ultrasound imaging would be helpful, and more data, analyzed to distinguish plaque from IMTbif and IMTcca, are required to understand the significance of thicker IMT in the absence of plaque.     

Association between arterial bifurcation anatomy and angiographic plaque ulceration among 4,627 carotid stenoses

Stability of atheromatous plaques is influenced by local mechanical and haemodynamic factors, such as plaque motion and shear stress. However, although blood vessel anatomy is an important determinant of haemodynamics, particularly at bifurcations, there have been no previous clinical studies of the association between arterial anatomy and plaque ulceration. We therefore studied arterial anatomy and plaque ulceration using angiograms of 4,627 carotid bifurcations with atheromatous disease from the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST). We studied the vessel diameter and area ratios that have been shown in flow models to affect local haemodynamics and shear stress, and which are known to vary widely between and within individuals (internal to common, external to common, external to internal carotid artery and outflow/inflow area). Angiographic plaque surface morphology was defined as ulcerated or not ulcerated. To avoid any potential bias due to selective inclusion of patients in the ECST, we studied the contralateral, and usually asymptomatic, as well as the symptomatic carotid artery. To correct for the effects of systemic factors that might influence plaque stability, we also studied the relationship between the degree of asymmetry of bifurcation anatomy within individuals and the presence of plaque ulceration. Despite considerable inter-individual variation in carotid anatomy, we found no association between the prevalence of angiographic plaque ulceration and any of the anatomical parameters studied in either symptomatic or contralateral carotid arteries. There were also no associations between ipsilateral bifurcation anatomy and plaque ulceration in individuals with unilateral plaque ulceration. Carotid arterial anatomy does not appear to be an important determinant of plaque stability. Other factors that influence local haemodynamics, such as the anatomy and composition of the plaque itself may be more important.     

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。     

The unstable plaque

Ischaemic strokes and transient ischaemic attacks are commonly caused by cerebral embolism originating from formation of a platelet-rich thrombus superimposed on an atherosclerotic plaque or by atherothrombotic plaque rupture in a carotid or intracranial artery. Despite advances made through ultrasound imaging in our understanding of atherosclerotic plaque progression and regression, the issue of whether differences in plaque structure alone can distinguish between lesions that become symptomatic and others that remain clinically silent continues to be debated. Recent biochemical and imaging studies have identified characteristics that may reflect a high risk of vulnerability, such as outward, abluminal plaque remodelling, the presence of intra-plaque haemorrhage, inflammation, severe flow disturbances around the encroaching lesion, plaque cap thinning and ulceration, and abnormal plaque motion. Plaque stability may be improved through management of traditional cardiovascular risk factors or with biological or pharmacological agents that target pathways involved in plaque pathophysiology. Unstable plaques place patients at risk of unpredictable ischaemic events and in patients with such lesions, specific preventive treatment beyond long-term antiplatelet therapy can be used to prevent new or recurrent events.     

颈动脉粥样硬化易损斑块超声标志与脑血管疾病关系的研究进展

颈动脉粥样硬化易损斑块与缺血性脑血管事件的发生密切相关。颈动脉超声不仅可以量 化颈动脉狭窄程度,还可以评估颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的易损性。三维超声可定量评估颈动脉粥样硬 化斑块的体积,超声造影可显示斑块内新生血管的密度及分布区域,剪切波弹性成像可测定斑块组 织的硬度,反映斑块不同部位的组织成分。颈动脉超声技术的发展使其在缺血性卒中诊疗领域中的 应用更加广泛,对颈动脉血流动力学和管壁的评价更加精确,有助于临床判断脑血管事件的风险并 进行相应的干预。     

染色体9p21.3多态性与颈动脉斑块和神经功能缺损的相关性探讨

目的探讨中国汉族人群急性脑梗死患者染色体9p21.3基因多态性与颈动脉斑块、神经功能缺损的相关性。方法采用回顾性病例对照研究,556例急性缺血性卒中病例(无斑块为对照组231例、单斑块组67例、多斑块组258例),根据美国国立卫生院卒中量表(NIHSS)进行评分,颈动脉超声检测颈动脉斑块。用SPSS19.0软件统计数据。结果斑块组的平均住院天数明显多于无斑块组(P0.05)。颈动脉斑块与入院时的NIHSS评分之间呈正相关(P0.05)。无论是在小于等于65岁还是超过65岁两个年龄段,9p21区带上所有6个SNPs(rs10757278、rs1333049、rs2383206、rs1537378、rs4977574和rs2383207)的等位基因频率分布在无斑块组(对照组)与斑块组均无显著性意义(P0.05)。同时发现颈动脉斑块的存在导致严重神经功能缺损(P0.001;OR=2.29;95%CI=1.54~3.40)。单斑组、多斑组患者对神经功能缺损的影响分别为无斑块组的1.87倍(95%CI,1.02~3.42;P=0.043)和2.42倍(95%CI,1.59-3.66;P0.001),而颈动脉斑块的面积大小与神经功能缺损无明显相关性。结论 6个9p21.3区域SNP位点与颈动脉粥样硬化之间无关联性;急性脑梗死发病期有颈动脉斑块的患者有更严重的神经功能缺损。     

Progression of carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Along with the recent changes in lifestyle in Japan, the incidence of coronary artery disease has increased while the incidence of stroke appears to be decreasing. We investigated the relation between the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the severity of coronary artery disease in the Japanese population. METHODS: The 2-year change in extracranial carotid atherosclerosis in 50 Japanese patients who underwent coronary angiography was evaluated using carotid echotomography. To quantify the extent of carotid atherosclerosis, the maximal thickness measurements of all plaques were summed for an individual plaque score, except for new plaques found on reexamination. Carotid disease progression was evaluated by the sum of plaque score change and the thickness of the new plaque found on reexamination. RESULTS: The plaque score changed by -3.2 to 10.1 mm (mean +/- SD, 1.06 +/- 2.42 mm). The extent of coronary atherosclerosis (p less than 0.02) and serum total cholesterol level (p less than 0.01) were different between the progressing (n = 17) and the nonprogressing (n = 30) groups of carotid atherosclerosis when the progressing group included the patients with a delta plaque score of greater than or equal to 1.0 mm. Neither age, serum triglyceride level, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, pack-years of smoking, percentage of smokers, percentage of hypertensive patients, nor percentage of diabetic patients was different between the two groups. Carotid disease progression was significantly higher in patients with three-vessel coronary disease than in patients without significant coronary artery disease (p less than 0.005). There was a significant positive linear correlation between carotid disease progression and Gensini's coronary artery disease score (R = 0.411, p less than 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that severe coronary artery disease and a high serum total cholesterol level were strong predictors for carotid disease progression in Japanese patients with high rates of coronary artery disease.     

Low serum miR-320b expression as a novel indicator of carotid atherosclerosis

We aimed to investigate correlation of carotid plaque with serum microRNA level and provide a potential mechanism for ischemic stroke prevention. Fasting serum was obtained from 177 patients with carotid plaques diagnosed using B ultrasound and 155 healthy subjects for RNA extraction and measurement of glucose, lipid and related biochemical indices. microRNAs level was assayed using microarray, validated using real-time PCR and statistically analyzed for their correlation with relevant clinical information. Statistical analyses showed significant differences between control and plaque groups in age, smoking history, and histories of cerebrovascular diseases, blood pressure, diabetes and coronary diseases. Patients in plaque group had significantly higher LDL-C level but significantly lower miR-320b level than healthy subjects. The P50 (P₂₅–P₇₅) of miR-320b was 2.38 (1.46–3.80) in control group and 1.20 (0.80–2.01) in plaque group (P = 0.000), as well as 1.39 (0.83–2.08) in stable plaque group and 0.77 (0.590.99) in vulnerable plaque group (P = 0.000). The area under the ROC curve of traditional factors, miR320b with traditional factors, traditional factors with plaque diameter, and traditional factors with IMT for patients with carotid plaques was 0.710, 0.834, 0.826 and 0.808, respectively. This study suggests that miR-320b is a specific serum marker of carotid atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaque, and its combination with traditional factors is the best means for diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases. The carotid atherosclerosis complicated with vulnerable plaque is a high risk factor for cerebral infarction. B-ultrasound examination combined with serum miR-320b expression and traditional indices could be used to predict subjects with high-risk for ischemic stroke.     

Technology Insight: ultrasound measurement of carotid plaque--patient management, genetic research, and therapy evaluation

Various methods have been used to quantify atherosclerosis, beginning in the mid-1980s with ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and going on to coronary calcification assessed by electron-beam CT, measurement of carotid plaque by ultrasound, and measurement of carotid wall thickness by MRI. In recent years, it has become clear that carotid IMT, coronary calcification and carotid plaque reflect biologically and genetically different aspects of the atherosclerotic process, and will respond differentially to therapy. IMT represents mainly hypertensive medial hypertrophy; this measure is more predictive of stroke than of myocardial infarction, and is only weakly associated with traditional coronary risk factors. Carotid plaque area, on the other hand, is more strongly associated with traditional risk factors, and is more predictive of myocardial infarction than of stroke. A quantitative trait, called 'unexplained atherosclerosis', expresses the extent to which an individual has excess carotid plaque not explained by traditional risk factors, or the extent to which an individual is protected from traditional risk factors. Unexplained progression of plaque is an even more powerful tool for genetic research, because age, which accounts for the greatest proportion of baseline plaque, has much less influence on the rate of progression. Compared with IMT, measurement of carotid plaque volume by three-dimensional ultrasound reduces by two orders of magnitude the sample size and duration of treatment needed to evaluate new therapies. Measurement of carotid plaque is, therefore, an important tool for patient management, genetic research and evaluation of new therapies for stroke prevention.     

贵州省铜仁市40岁及以上仡佬族常住居民脑卒中风险筛查及颈动脉斑块分析

目的 探讨贵州省铜仁市仡佬族脑卒中高危人群情况及其相关危险因素,为建立区域性脑卒中防控策略提供依据.方法 采用整群抽样法,选取贵州省铜仁市仡佬族常住居民1154例(年龄≥40岁)进行问卷调查和病史采集,并对筛查出的脑卒中高危人群进行颈动脉超声检查,分析颈动脉斑块特征.结果 1154例居民中共筛查出高危人群335例,检出...     

Preoperative B-mode ultrasound plaque appearance compared with carotid endarterectomy specimen histology

In carotid artery stenosis both the degree of the lesion and its plaque morphology are thought to be associated with the carrier's thromboembolic risk. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic preciseness of non-invasively B-mode ultrasound in predicting the histopathological plaque structure. We examined 44 patients with > 50% ICA stenosis by B-mode within 6 weeks prior to carotid endarterectomy. At the affected bifurcations, up to 10 different regions of interest (ROI) per artery were investigated. Plaque appearance was classified according to 6 subtypes considering different ultrasonic plaque features. Postoperatively, plaque specimens were examined histopathologically for their relative content of calcification, fibrous tissue and different soft tissue. B-mode ultrasound was compared with histopathological features in ROI. A total of 265 regions of interest were evaluated. In mainly echolucent types of plaques, atheromatous debris was most frequently seen, whereas fibrosis was rare. Homogeneous echolucent plaques showed a high proportion of cholesterol and/or recent haemorrhage. Thrombosis at the plaque surface was often seen in "completely echolucent" plaque type (each P<0.001). Carotid B-mode ultrasonography is able to predict the histopathological components and the texture of carotid plaques.     

Hyperechoic plaque: an ultrasound marker for osteoporosis in acute stroke patients with carotid disease

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a significant complication of stroke, and hip fracture after a stroke is a frequent problem. Moreover, growing evidence links vascular and bone diseases, in the form of osteoporosis associated with both atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The aim of our study is to detect bone change in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid disease and to verify the correlation with carotid echogenic plaques. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Out of 245 subjects consecutively admitted to our Stroke Unit for their first ischemic stroke, we selected 49 patients with a first-ever stroke due to carotid atherosclerosis without a previous diagnosis of bone disease. We assessed risk factors for cerebrovascular disease as well as for osteoporosis, the degree of neurological deficit and disability, and bone mineral density that was quantified by bilateral hip dual energy X-ray absorbimetry. Osteoporosis was defined as a T score below -2.5. Carotid ultrasound was used to classify plaques in non-hyperechoic (grade 1) and hyperechoic plaque (grade 2). RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of low bone mass density (BMD) in our patients (18 out of 49=36.7%), without relationship to the side of paresis. According to univariate analysis evidence of osteoporosis was correlated with age (p=0.05), score of Scandinavian Stroke Scale (p=0.01) and grade 2 plaque (p=0.01). According to multivariate analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between grade 2 plaques and osteoporosis (OR=6.58; 95% CI=1.57-27.54; p=0.01), which was stronger in women (OR=18.15; 95% CI=1.80-182.83; p=0.01). The percentage of intraplaque hyperechogenicity was inversely correlated with BMD (r=-0.411, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in acute atherosclerotic stroke patients. Carotid hyperechoic plaque is an independent marker of osteoporosis.