缺血性卒中患者颈动脉硬化斑块内新生血管的超声造影研究

目的 探讨实时超声造影在定量评价缺血性卒中患者颈动脉硬化斑块内新生血管中的应用价值。方法 96例颈动脉硬化斑块患者分为卒中组（68例）与非卒中组（28例）,应用实时超声造影分别对颈动脉硬化斑块进行检测,运用编码反相谐波成像技术软件在机分析,并进行组间比较。结果 卒中组斑块增强率及增强强度与非卒中组比较明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）;同组间比较造影剂到达斑块时间及达峰值时间均迟于颈动脉,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）,不同组别相同部位比较造影剂到达时间及达峰值时间差异无统计学意义（P >0.05）。结论 超声造影可实时观察斑块内新生血管情况,评价斑块易损性。缺血性卒中患者颈动脉斑块新生血管密度高于非卒中患者。     

急性颈内动脉系统脑梗死患者颈内动脉角与动脉粥样硬化斑块形态关系的研究

目的 利用颈动脉高分辨率磁共振成像（high resolution MRI，HR-MRI）技术分析急性脑梗死患者颈 内动脉角（internal carotid artery angle，ICAA）与动脉粥样硬化斑块形态学特点，探讨ICAA与动脉粥样 硬化斑块形态的关系。 方法 入组2011年11月-2012年6月的急性颈内动脉系统脑梗死患者，行颈动脉HR-MRI 检查，获得每 例患者左右侧ICAA及动脉粥样硬化斑块形态资料。根据ICAA大小的中位数将颈动脉分为ICAA≥35°组 和ICAA＜35°组，比较两组血管颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率和斑块特点。分别以左右侧颈动脉粥样 硬化各斑块成分总量为因变量，对其可能的影响因素进行多因素回归分析。 结果 共有86例患者的162支颈动脉图像纳入最终分析，其中ICAA≥35°组78支，ICAA＜35°组84支， ICAA≥35°组动脉粥样硬化斑块检出率[72支（92.3%）vs 47支（56.0%），P＜0.01]及易损斑块检出率 [34支（43.6%）vs 13支（15.5%），P =0.03）]均较ICAA＜35°组高，差异有统计学意义。ICAA≥35°组动 脉粥样硬化斑块中富含脂质坏死核心[59支（75.6%）vs 31支（36.9%），P <0.01）]及斑块内出血[（21 支（26.9%）vs 10支（11.9%），P =0.02）]的检出率高。回归分析显示，年龄是左侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块 钙化成分总量（B 0.35，95%CI 0.21～1.65，P =0.01）及右侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块斑块内出血成分总量 （B 0.34，95%CI 0.30～2.32，P =0.01）的危险因素，ICAA非平面角（B 0.37，95%CI 1.23～7.33，P =0.01） 是左侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块富含脂质坏死核心成分总量的危险因素，颈外动脉非平面角（B 0.33， 95%CI 0.20～2.07，P =0.02）是右侧颈动脉粥样硬化斑块钙化成分总量的危险因素。 结论 随着ICAA角度增大，动脉粥样硬化斑块的检出率呈上升趋势，ICAA大者易损动脉粥样硬化斑 块的检出率也高。ICAA对动脉粥样硬化斑块各成分的含量有影响。ICAA与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的发 生有关，但并非是颈动脉粥样硬化发生的独立危险因素。     

颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内新生血管超声造影特点的初步临床研究

目的 了解颈动脉粥样硬化斑块性质以及斑块内新生血管的特征,并分析新生血管的血液动力学特点。方法 采用常规超声、彩色功率多普勒超声筛选出20例症状性颈动脉粥样硬化患者的29个斑块,应用超声造影技术对斑块进行检测,分析超声造影表现与斑块性质之间的关系、斑块内新生血管的分布特征、血液动力学特点。结果 29个斑块中有28个斑块显示不同程度的增强,有9个斑块表现为造影剂单纯从管壁外向斑块内增强,有6个斑块表现为造影剂单纯从管腔内向斑块内增强,另有13个斑块表现为造影剂从管腔内、管壁外周双向进入斑块内增强。在这些回声强度不同的斑块中,共5个硬斑块,其中4个硬斑块表现为造影剂从管壁外周向斑块内呈稀疏点状增强。在增强的28个斑块中软斑块9个,混合斑块15个,硬斑块4个。结论 颈动脉超声造影可以实时、敏感地强化显示不同性质的颈动脉斑块,揭示颈动脉斑块内血液动力学特征。颈动脉超声造影是一种识别斑块内新生血管的新技术。     

超敏C反应蛋白与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性关系研究

目的 探讨血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性之间的关系.方法 86例颈动脉粥样硬化患者根据颈动脉超声多普勒检测斑块回声特征分为不稳定性斑块 (易损斑块组)38例和稳定性斑块(非易损斑块组)48例.另选40例无颈动脉粥样硬化斑块者作为正常对照组.采用ELISA法检测血清hs-CRP水平.结果 颈动脉粥样硬化患者血清hs-CRP水平明显高于正常对照组,差异有显著统计学意义 (P<0.05).颈动脉易损斑块组血清hs-CRP水平高于非易损斑块组,两组比较差异亦有显著统计学意义 (P<0.05).结论 血清hs-CRP水平与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性相关,提示血hs-CRP水平可作为动脉粥样硬化程度及斑块稳定性的指标之一.     

斑块内新生血管分级与颈动脉粥样硬化程度相关性的新进展

颈动脉粥样硬化是导致缺血性事件发生的重要危险因素。颈动脉斑块负荷及颈动脉狭窄均与缺血性事件发生密切相关,此外,颈动脉斑块内成分也与缺血性事件发生息息相关。斑块内新生血管（intraplaque neovascularization,IPN）作为易损斑块的特征成分,通过多种机制参与颈动脉粥样斑块形成。本篇综述重点关注IPN分级与颈动脉粥样硬化程度的关系。     

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。     

颈动脉粥样硬化斑块和血脂异常与短暂性脑缺血发作相关分析

目的探讨短暂性脑缺血发作与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及血脂异常的关系。方法对82例短暂性脑缺血发作患者（TIA组）和76例非心脑血管病患者（对照组）进行颈动脉超声检查,观察颈动脉血管形态、内-中膜厚度、有无斑块和颈动脉内径。同时进行血脂水平测定。结果TIA组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块检出率（63.41%）,对照组检出率（21.05%）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;血脂水平与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组中颈动脉粥样硬化斑块组血脂水平明显高于无斑块组（P〈0.05）。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与短暂性脑缺血发作的发生有密切关系,血脂代谢异常与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成有关,对颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及血脂异常进行的积极干预,对预防短暂性脑缺血发作发生有重要临床意义。     

脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2、颈动脉斑块内新生血管与颈动脉粥样硬化及缺血性脑卒中的相关性研究

目的探究脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2,Lp-PLA2)、颈动脉斑块内新生血管与颈动脉粥样硬化及缺血性脑卒中的相关性。方法收集2016年12月～2017年12月于河北医科大学第二医院神经内科就诊的存在颈动脉粥样硬化斑块患者60例为病例组,健康体检者60例为对照组,应用增强免疫比浊法测定Lp-PLA2含量,病例组应用超声造影(Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography,CEUS)检测颈动脉斑块内新生血管水平,根据影像学分为脑梗死与非脑梗死组。结果病例组和对照组Lp-PLA2水平差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05),Lp-PLA2是颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的危险因素(OR=1. 007,95%CI 1. 004～1. 011),但校正血脂等因素后相关性降低(OR=1. 004,95%CI 0. 999～1. 010)。脑梗死组与非脑梗死组颈动脉斑块内新生血管等级差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05),且新生血管III级与颈动脉粥样硬化患者发生脑梗死密切相关(OR=24,95%CI 1. 952～295. 061)。Lp-PLA2水平与缺血性脑卒中及颈动脉斑块内新生血管等级之间差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论血清中Lp-PLA2水平是颈动脉粥样硬化斑块形成的危险因素,一定程度上受血脂等因素的影响。应用CEUS技术可以检测动脉粥样硬化斑块内的新生血管水平,新生血管等级与缺血性脑卒中存在相关性。其中新生血管III级是发生缺血性脑卒中的独立危险因素。尚未发现Lp-PLA2水平与缺血性脑卒中及颈动脉斑块内新生血管之间的相关性。     

脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块与血浆白介素-6、脂蛋白(a)、纤维蛋白原的关系

目的 观察脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与血浆白介素-6(IL-6)、脂蛋白(a)[Lp(a)]及纤维蛋白原(Fib)水平的关系.方法 对60例脑梗死患者行颈动脉超声检查,以发现颈动脉粥样硬化斑块并确定性质.检测脑梗死患者和30例健康体检者的血浆IL-6、Lp(a)、和Fib水平.结果 44例(73.3%)脑梗死患者有颈动脉斑块,16例(26.7%)无斑块;其中易损斑块27例(45%),非易损斑块17例(28.3%).脑梗死患者的血浆Fib水平均显著高于正常对照组(P均<0.05);易损斑块组的IL-6、Lp(a)水平显著高于非易损斑块组及正常对照组.IL-6 与Lp(a)、Fib水平呈正相关(P均<0.05).结论 血浆IL-6、Lp(a)与颈动脉粥样硬化易损斑块并发的脑梗死有关;血浆高Fib水平可促进脑梗死的发生.     

血浆同型半胱氨酸水平与颈部动脉粥样硬化患者脑梗死复发的相关性研究

目的探讨血浆同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)水平与颈动脉粥样硬化患者复发性脑梗死的关系。方法颈动脉粥样硬化患者160例,根据脑梗死发生次数,分为脑梗死复发组52例,脑梗死初发组54例,无脑梗死或脑出血对照组54例;检测并比较各组血浆Hcy的水平及颈动脉粥样硬化斑块类型。结果脑梗死复发组及初发组血浆Hcy水平和高同型半胱氨酸血症(HHcy)发生率均显著高于对照组(P<0.01),脑梗死复发组血浆Hcy水平和HHcy发生率亦显著高于脑梗死初发组(P<0.05);脑梗死复发组易损斑块发生率显著高于脑梗死初发组(88.5%比64.8%,P<0.05);脑梗死组检出易损斑块患者的血浆Hcy水平显著高于硬斑块患者[(28.96±7.01)μmol/L比(23.56±6.98)μmol/L,P<0.05]。结论血浆Hcy水平与颈动脉粥样硬化患者易损斑块的形成及脑梗死的复发可能相关。     

Four-dimensional ultrasonographic characterization of plaque surface motion in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In vitro studies of atherosclerotic plaque fracture mechanics suggest that analysis of local variations in surface deformability may provide information on relative vulnerability to plaque fissuring or rupture. We investigated plaque surface deformations in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease using 4-dimensional ultrasonography and techniques for measuring optical flow. METHODS: Four-dimensional ultrasound examinations of carotid artery plaques were performed in 23 asymptomatic and 22 symptomatic patients with 50% to 90% stenosis of the internal carotid artery. Plaque surface motion during 1 cardiac cycle was computed with a hierarchical model-based motion estimator. Results were compared with plaque echogenicity and surface structure. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients examined, plaque surface motion estimates were obtained for 18 asymptomatic and 13 symptomatic patients. There were no significant differences in echogenicity or surface structure of asymptomatic and symptomatic plaques (P>0.05). Results of motion estimation showed that asymptomatic plaques had surface motion vectors of equal orientation and magnitude to those of the internal carotid artery, whereas symptomatic plaques demonstrated evidence of inherent plaque movement. There was no significant difference in maximal plaque velocity between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques (P<0.14). Maximal discrepant surface velocity (MDSV) in symptomatic plaques was 3.85+/-1.26 mm/s (mean+/-SD), which was significantly higher (P<0.001) than MDSV of asymptomatic plaques with 0.58+/-0.42 mm/s (mean+/-SD). CONCLUSIONS: ++MDSV of carotid artery plaques is significantly different in asymptomatic and symptomatic disease. Further studies are warranted to determine whether plaque surface motion patterns can identify vulnerable plaques in patients with carotid artery stenosis.     

Assessment of carotid plaque neovascularization by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and high sensitivity C-reactive protein test in patients with acute cerebral infarction: a comparative study

Vulnerable carotid plaque easily ruptures and causes cerebral infarction. Plaque inflammation and neovascularization have both been shown as important characteristics in vulnerable plaque. We assessed neovascularization within carotid plaque using contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and also assessed inflammation, using high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) testing, in acute cerebral infarction patients. A total of 106 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 40 controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects had been previously found to have carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and the plaques were classified as soft plaque, hard plaque, mixed plaque, and calcified plaque, using carotid artery ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed on the plaques for quantitative analysis and hs-CRP levels were measured. The results showed that plaque enhancement was present in 81.1 % of cerebral infarction patients and 40.0 % of controls. The contrast parameters for cerebral infarction patients were significantly different from controls. For cerebral infarction patients, soft plaque showed the highest enhanced percentage, 95.1 %, with contrast parameters significantly different to other types of plaque. The hs-CRP levels of enhanced cerebral infarction patients were higher than in non-enhanced patients. Correlation analysis in cerebral infarction patients showed that hs-CRP levels were closely related to the contrast parameters. Acute cerebral infarction patients showed intense contrast enhancement and inflammation in carotid plaque, and different types of plaque had various degrees of enhancement, suggesting that contrast-enhanced ultrasound and hs-CRP might be used for plaque risk stratification.     

Symptomatic and asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenoses in Doppler color-flow imaging.

We examined 63 patients with 31 symptomatic and 44 asymptomatic carotid stenoses with Doppler color-flow imaging (DCFI); conventional Doppler duplex had shown a hemodynamic obstruction (greater than or equal to 80% stenosis) in all patients. Analysis of plaque surface morphology demonstrated more ulcerated plaques in symptomatic (43%) than asymptomatic (23%) stenoses. Although the frequency of homogeneous and heterogeneous plaques was not different, calcific lesions were more frequent in asymptomatic (46% versus 29%), and echolucent plaques, probably indicating mural thrombi, were more frequent in symptomatic (29% versus 11%) stenosis. Color-coded hemodynamic patterns, such as jet flow, poststenotic turbulence, or reversed flow, were not different in symptomatic and asymptomatic stenoses. Comparison of DCFI with 30 angiograms showed agreement in plaque surface analysis in 70%. DCFI measurements of area reduction in cross sections correlated with angiography in 85%, while DCFI tended to underestimate the degree of stenosis from diameter reduction in longitudinal cuts. The advanced DCFI technique identified distinct morphologic features but no hemodynamic patterns, separating symptomatic from asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenoses.     

超声观察颈动脉粥样硬化斑块纤维帽完整性的临床价值简

目的回顾分析单侧前循环急性脑卒中患者颈动脉超声检查结果,探讨粥样硬化斑块纤维帽完整性对斑块稳定性的影响。方法通过彩色多普勒超声长轴和短轴观察并记录颈动脉管壁、粥样硬化斑块及纤维帽完整性,以及单侧颈动脉低、中等和强回声斑块数目,判断狭窄动脉血流动力学变化。结果86例患者共检出粥样硬化斑块215个,共77例患者发现纤维帽不完整,72例存在低回声斑块,仅5例检出中等回声斑块（x^2=37．703,P=0．000）。其中患侧纤维帽不完整者46例、健侧31例（x^2=5．291,P=0．021）;患侧检出低回声斑块者56例、健侧44例（x^2=0．168,P=0．682）。共计发现颈动脉狭窄15例,均为低回声斑块所致,分别发生于颈内动脉起始部（10例）、颈动脉分叉部（4例）、颈外动脉（1例）,以颈动脉分叉部（8．16％,4／49）与颈内动脉起始部（27．03％,10／37）之间差异具有统计学意义（x^2=3．900,P=0．048）。结论动脉粥样硬化斑块纤维帽完整性与脑卒中关系密切。纤维帽不完整的粥样硬化斑块以低回声斑块为主,通过超声波评价斑块回声及其表面纤维帽完整性,可以判断斑块稳定性,而观察斑块纤维帽完整性较单纯评价斑块回声特点更具临床价值。     

血清MMP-9与脑梗死患者及其颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系研究

目的检测具有不同性质颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的脑梗死患者的血清基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）水平,探讨颈动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性及相关炎性标志物MMP-9水平与脑梗死的关系。方法采用彩色多普勒超声检查48例颈内动脉系统的急性脑梗死患者（CI组）颈动脉粥样硬化斑块,同时检测患者血清MMP-9水平,并与20例慢性脑供血不足患者（CCCI组）及20例体检健康者（对照组）比较;根据斑块性质将CI组分为不稳定斑块组、稳定斑块组及无斑块组3个亚组,并进行组内比较。结果脑梗死组斑块检出率、不稳定斑块率及血清MMP9水平均明显高于慢性脑供血不足组及对照组（P〈0．05）;脑梗死不稳定斑块组MMP-9水平显著高于脑梗死稳定斑块组,脑梗死稳定斑块组高于脑梗死无斑块组（P〈0．01）。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块及其稳定性与脑梗死发生有密切关系,具有不同性质颈动脉斑块的脑梗死患者的血清MMP-9水平存在差异,MMP-9可能是不稳定性粥样硬化斑块及脑梗死的一个潜在的血清标志物。     

Increased expression of endothelial lipase in symptomatic and unstable carotid plaques

The aim of this study was to evaluate endothelial lipase (EL) protein expression in advanced human carotid artery plaques (HCAP) with regard to plaque (in)stability and the incidence of symptoms. HCAP were collected from 66 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The degree of plaque (in)stability was estimated by ultrasound and histology. In HCAP sections, EL expression was determined by immunostaining and the intensity was assessed on a semi-quantitative scale (low: <25%, high: >25% positive cells). Monocytes and macrophages in adjacent HCAP sections were stained with a CD163 specific antibody. High EL staining was more prevalent in histologically unstable plaques (in 33.3% of fibrous plaques, 50% of ulcerated non-complicated plaques and 79.2% of ulcerated complicated plaques; χ(2) test, p?=?0.004) and in the symptomatic group (70.8 vs. 42.9% in the asymptomatic group; χ(2) test, p?=?0.028). The majority of EL immunostaining was found in those HCAP regions exhibiting a strong CD163 immunostaining. EL in HCAP might be a marker and/or promoter of plaque instability and HCAP-related symptomatology.     

缺血性卒中并发2型糖尿病患者颈动脉斑块内新生血管分布特点的超声造影研究

目的 应用超声造影观察缺血性卒中并发2型糖尿病患者颈动脉斑块内新生血管分布情况,明确其 斑块内新生血管分布特征。 方法 病例组选取因急性缺血性卒中住院的糖尿病患者40例（入组前未服用降糖药）,卒中同侧颈 动脉斑块形成;对照组为同期门诊就诊的颈动脉斑块形成患者,无卒中病史,性别及年龄匹配的非 糖尿病患者32例。两组患者行弓上计算机断层扫描血管造影（computed tomography angiography,CTA） 检查排除主动脉弓斑块及颅内动脉病变,排除卵圆孔未闭及心房颤动等。对所有患者均行常规超声 及超声造影检查。常规超声观察斑块厚度及内部回声,超声造影观察斑块增强情况,横切面多角度 观察,将超声造影结果分为近内膜处有增强（代表新生血管）及近内膜处无增强两种。 结果 两组患者颈动脉斑块厚度及回声情况差异无统计学意义。超声造影结果显示病例组颈动脉 斑块近内膜处增强者34例（85%）,对照组近内膜处增强12例（37.5%）,差异有统计学意义（χ 2=17.38, P＜0.01）。 结论 未服用降糖药的2型糖尿病并发急性缺血性卒中的患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块内近内膜处新生 血管增生多于无糖尿病患者,提示血糖升高与颈动脉斑块内血管新生有关。     

The symptomatic carotid plaque

BACKGROUND: The natural histories of equally severe symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenoses are very different, which suggests dichotomy in plaque behavior. The vascular biology of the symptomatic carotid plaque is presented in this review. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Histology studies comparing asymptomatic and symptomatic plaques were identified from MEDLINE. Reports in which stenosis severity was not stated or not similar for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were excluded. In vitro studies and reports from the coronary circulation were reviewed with regard to the vascular biology of the plaque. Histology studies comparing carotid plaques removed from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients reveal characteristic features of unstable plaques: surface ulceration and plaque rupture (48% of symptomatic compared with 31% of asymptomatic, P<0.001), thinning of the fibrous cap, and infiltration of the cap by greater numbers of macrophages and T cells. In vitro studies suggest that macrophages and T cells release cytokines and proteinase, which stimulate breakdown of cap collagen and smooth muscle cell apoptosis and thereby promote plaque rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Infiltration of inflammatory cells to the surface of carotid plaques may be a critical step in promoting plaque rupture and resultant embolization or carotid occlusion. Further understanding of cell recruitment and behavior in carotid atherosclerosis may allow better detection of unstable plaques and therapeutic methods of plaque stabilization.