Relation of stiffness parameter β to carotid arteriosclerosis and silent cerebral infarction in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Objective   Aortic stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there is a lack of information on stiffness parameter β, another index of arterial stiffness, in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of stiffness parameter β in HD patients. Materials and methods   We compared the relation of stiffness parameter β to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score estimated by carotid ultrasound and investigated the relationship between stiffness parameter β and silent cerebral infarction (SCI) in 64 HD patients. Results   Stiffness parameter β was positively correlated with mean IMT (r = 0.318, P = 0.0113) and plaque score (r = 0.672, P < 0.0001). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that pulse pressure and age were found to be independent determinants of stiffness parameter β (partial correlation coefficients: β = 0.501 and P < 0.0001 for pulse pressure, β = 0.488 and P < 0.0001 for age). In addition, stiffness parameter β in patients with SCI (12.2 ± 3.9) was significantly higher than those (8.0 ± 2.4) in patients without SCI. However, there was no significant difference in mean IMT and plaque score in both groups. Conclusion   These results suggest that arteriosclerosis assessed by stiffness parameter β is associated with atherosclerotic changes of carotid arteries and with the presence of SCI in HD patients.     

Cloninger's temperament traits and preclinical atherosclerosis: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Objective

Cloninger's psychobiological model of temperament has recently raised interest as a risk factor for CHD. However, there are no studies that have examined the associations of Cloninger's temperament traits with atherosclerosis.

Methods

The subjects were 398 men and 657 women (mean age 31.7 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional associations between temperament traits and preclinical atherosclerosis. Preclinical atherosclerosis was measured with carotid intima-media thickness ultrasound.

Results

Higher novelty seeking (NS) and reward dependence (RD) and lower harm avoidance (HA) were associated with preclinical atherosclerosis. In NS and RD, associations remained significant after adjustments for various risk factors. The effect sizes of these associations were comparable to those of traditional risk factors of coronary heart disease, which is a major finding. No association for persistence (P) was found.

Conclusions

The present findings imply that examining a wider range of temperament and personality factors may offer new information that can help in explaining the between-individual variation in atherosclerosis and CHD morbidity.     

Early sign of atherosclerosis in slow coronary flow and relationship with angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism

Increase in carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is an early sign of atherosclerosis. Slow coronary flow (SCF) is characterized by delay of opacification of coronary arteries in coronary angiography in the absence of any evident obstructive lesion, but its etiopathogenesis remains unclear. Genes that regulate the renin angiotensin system also play a role in developing cardiovascular system disorders. The presence of deletion (D) allele in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism is associated with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the carotid artery IMT measurement, as an early sign of atherosclerosis, in patients with SCF and without SCF and also to assess the effect of the renin-angiotensin gene system on carotid IMT. Forty-four patients with angiographically proven SCF and 44 cases with normal coronary flow (NCF) pattern with similar risk profile were enrolled in the study. Coronary flow patterns of the cases were determined by thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count method. Intima-media thickness was measured by recording ultrasonographic images of both the left and right common carotid artery with a 12-MHz linear array transducer. ACE I/D polymorphism and Angiotensin II tip 1 receptor (AT1R) A/C gene polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Demographic characteristics and coronary artery disease risk factors of SCF and NCF groups were similar. Mean TIMI frame count and carotid IMT (mm) were significantly higher in the SCF group than controls (45.9 ± 12 vs 23.3 ± 3.7, P = 0.0001; 0.75 ± 0.08 vs 0.69 ± 0.06, P = 0.0001, respectively). Mean TIMI frame count was positively correlated with IMT of carotid artery in correlation analysis (r = 0.45, P = 0.0001). When analyzed in regard to ACE genotype in all subjects, IMT values were statistically different (0.78 ± 0.06 for DD genotype, 0.72 ± 0.05 for ID genotype, and 0.64 ± 0.06 for II genotype, P = 0.0001). This difference remained significant in subgroup analyses for each genotype. No association could be observed between the AT1R A/C¹¹⁶⁶ polymorphism and IMT of carotid artery measurement (P > 0.05). Lack of association was still observed with analysis carried out when genotype effect was assumed to be inherited as additive (CC versus AA versus AC) or dominant (AA versus AC+CC). Increased IMT in patients with SCF shows that subclinical atherosclerosis may play role in this phenomenon. This increase was most marked in the presence of D allele of ACE genotype, which is associated with vascular hypertrophy.     

左旋氨氯地平对颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度及血管内皮依赖性舒张功能的影响

目的观察左旋氨氯地平对高血压患者颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度（CIMT）及血管内皮依赖性舒张功能的影响。方法采用高分辨率超声技术,检测原发性高血压患者93例左旋氨氯地平（2．5—5mg／d）治疗前后CIMT的变化,并观察休息状态、反应性充血后肱动脉内径变化。结果左旋氨氯地平治疗12个月后,降压疗效明显,CIMT明显降低,肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能明显改善（P〈0．05）。结论左旋氨氯地平降压疗效显著,能延缓CIMT进展,改善血管内皮依赖性舒张功能。     

Serum Lipids and Apolipoproteins and Their Relationship with Macrovascular Disease in Type 1 Diabetes

In order to examine the relationship between serum lipids and apolipoproteins and macrovascular disease in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, 50 patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the diabetic clinics at St Mary's and St Charles' Hospitals, London were recruited into a cross-sectional study. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure intima-media thickness and define an arterial ultrasound score for each patient as a non-invasive indicator of atherosclerotic change. Intima-medial (i-m) thickness was significantly higher in those subjects with clinical evidence of macrovascular disease compared to those without macrovascular disease (0.865 ± 0.191 vs 0.695 ± 0.162 mm, p = 0.0038). In the study group there were significant correlations between i-m thickness and age (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), total serum cholesterol (r = 0.32, p < 0.01), and serum fibrinogen (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) but no other lipid or apolipoprotein variable. When i-m thickness was corrected for age there were significant correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.43, p < 0.01) and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). Whereas total and LDL-cholesterol and serum fibrinogen concentrations were related to the extent of atherosclerotic disease by ultrasound techniques, there was no relationship with high density lipoprotein (HDL) or subfraction cholesterol concentrations. HDL-cholesterol may not be a useful marker for cardiovascular disease in Type 1 diabetes.     

糖尿病患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度、背向散射积分与心脑血管并发症的关系

目的探讨型糖尿病患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度、背向散射积分与心脑血管并发症之间的关系。方法分别测定型糖尿病合并心脑血管疾病组(I组)、型糖尿病无并发症组(组)及正常对照组的颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)和背向散射积分(IBS)。结果型糖尿病心脑血管疾病组颈动脉IMT(1.2±0.12)mm与无合并症组(0.9±0.13)mm较对照组(0.75±0.18)mm明显增厚,无合并症组颈动脉标化IBS%(70.1±4.2)%与对照组(71.7±3.1)%无显著差异,心脑血管疾病组颈动脉标化IBS%(67.3±4.7)%显著低于无并发症组及正常对照组(P<0.01)。结论与颈动脉IMT相比,颈动脉IBS值减低能更好地预测型糖尿病患者心脑血管并发症的发生。     

E-selectin and TFPI are associated with carotid intima-media thickness in stable IHD patients: the baseline findings of the MIAMI study

ObjectiveMIAMI was a prospective multicenter clinical study designed to investigate the relationship between changes in carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and those in the levels of circulating markers of inflammation, thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction. The study was performed in a group of stable coronary patients treated for two years with a moderate dosage of atorvastatin (20 mg/day). In this paper the cross-sectional relationship between C-IMT and the same circulating markers of inflammation, thrombosis and endothelial dysfunction measured at baseline was investigated.MethodsEighty-five subjects that had not used statins for at least two months were enrolled in the study. At time of enrollment, the levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides were measured, in parallel with C-IMT assessment.ResultsIn cross-sectional analyses, markers of endothelial perturbation (i.e. E-selectin) and TFPI were more strongly correlated with arherosclerotic burden than markers of inflammation. The baseline picture in this study indicates that E-selectin and TFPI are linked with atherosclerotic burden.     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病痰瘀证与颈动脉内膜中层厚度的关系探讨

目的探讨非酒精性脂肪性肝病痰瘀证与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的关系,为非酒精性脂肪性肝病痰瘀证提供有益的辨证参数。方法对80例经B超诊断的非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者进行中医痰瘀辨证分型,并行颈动脉内膜中层厚度检测。结果痰证30例,瘀证30例,无证可辨20例;54例IMT增厚者中,中/重度脂肪肝患者占88.9%,痰瘀证占83.3%,显著高于IMT正常组者的38.5%和57.8%(P0.01);非酒精性脂肪性肝病组和40例健康对照组腰围分别为[(93.34±8.43)cm和(78.51±6.73)cm,P0.01];BMI分别为[(26.48±3.52)和(22.67±2.34),P0.01];DBP分别为[(79.29±9.14)mm Hg和(74.74±9.13)mm Hg,P0.01];FBG分别为[(5.80±1.51)mmol/l和(4.98±0.51)mmol/l,P0.01];HOMA-IR分别为[(3.60±2.26)和(1.80±1.56),P0.01];TG分别为[(2.71±2.97)mmol/l和(0.93±0.4)mmol/l,P0.01];TC分别为[(5.20±1.27)mmol/l和(4.84±0.6)mmol/l,P0.01];UA分别为[(399.76±89.35)mmol/l和(326.3±67.09)mmol/l,P0.01];ALT分别为[(83.77±82.76)U/l和(18.0±7.72)U/l,P0.01];AST分别为[(50.30±39.34)U/l和(21.88±4.47)U/l,P0.01];GGT分别为[(73.76±104.34)U/l和(18.63±13.55)U/l,P0.01];IMT分别为[(1.19±0.75)mm和(0.71±0.25)mm,P0.01];非酒精性脂肪性肝病瘀证组和无证可辨组TG分别为[(4.79±3.97)mmol/l和(0.84±0.23)mmol/l,P0.05];TC分别为[(5.63±1.4)mmol/l和(4.35±1.33)mmol/l,P0.05];IMT分别为[(1.25±0.14)mm和(0.84±0.12)mm,P0.05];LDL-C分别为[(2.9±0.84)mmol/l和(2.51±0.89)mmol/l,P0.05],痰证组TG分别为[(1.66±0.29)mmol/l和(0.84±0.23)mmol/l,P0.05];TC分别为[(5.19±0.92)mmol/l和(4.35±1.33)mmol/l,P0.05];LDL-C分别为[(3.21±0.74)mmol/l和(2.51±0.89)mmol/l,P0.05];多因素回归分析提示FBG(OR:5.48,95%CI:1.39~21.61)、TG(OR:1.14,95%CI:1.14~12.82)、BMI(OR:1.20,95%CI:1.02~1.42)、年龄(OR:1.02,95%CI:1.01~1.03)、痰瘀证(OR:1.10,95%CI:1.03~1.17)是非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者动脉IMT增厚或斑块形成的独立危险因素。结论颈动脉内膜中层厚度与脂肪肝中医痰瘀证型及脂肪肝程度有关,可作为脂肪肝中医痰瘀辨证分型的一种辅助客观指标。     

主动脉缩窄矫治术后血管结构与功能的随访研究

目的 探讨主动脉缩窄矫治术后近、中期血管结构与功能改变.方法 选取20例确诊主动脉缩窄(CoA)并行手术矫治的患儿(CoA组),其中单纯性主动脉缩窄6例,复合性主动脉缩窄(合并其他心内畸形)14例;同期20例单纯室间隔缺损(VSD)患儿(VSD组)作对照,均于术前至术后1年监测血压,超声下颈总动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)和肱动脉血流介导的血管舒张功能(FMD).20例健康儿童(健康组)进行1年的随访.结果 术前、术后1个月、术后6个月、术后1年3组均无高血压临床表现.CoA组的颈总动脉IMT[(0.47±0.10) mm,(0.49±0.10) mm、(0.57±0.07) mm、(0.61±0.07)mm]均高于同期的VSD组[(0.41±0.11) mm,(0.43±0.11) mm,(0.51±0.08) mm,(0.55±0.08) mm]与健康组[(0.40±0,09) mm、(0.42±0.11) mm、(0.50±0.08)mm、(0.57±0.08) mm],差异均有统计学意义,P＜0.05.CoA组的肱动脉FMD[(5.46±1.51)％、(5.71±1.88)％、(5.42±1.69)％、(5.27±1.02)％]均明显低于VSD组[(6.69±1.45)％、(6.66±1.21)％、(6.81±1.03)％、(6.43±1.34)％]和健康组[(6.59±1.84)％,(6.84±1.41)％、(6.91±1.31)％、(6.56±1.62)％],差异均有统计学意义,P＜0.05.而上述两个指标在VSD组与健康组之间均差异无统计学意义,P＞0.05.结论 主动脉缩窄矫治术后患儿仍存在血管结构和内皮功能异常,提示手术纠治主动脉缩窄后血管损害持续存在,可能是主动脉缩窄矫治术后患儿心血管疾病发生率高于健康儿童的原因.     

冠心病高危人群颈动脉内中膜离散度变化及相关因素

目的 探讨冠心病高危人群颈动脉内中膜厚度的离散度变化及相关影响因素.方法 利用计算机自动识别技术,以每一像素为长度,自动计算出颈动脉内中膜厚度的最大值( CIMT-max)、均值( CIMTmean)、标准差(CIMTSD)并与各种高危因素进行相关分析.结果 CIMTmax、CIMTmean、CIMTSD在高危组分别为(0.810±0.101)、(0.631±0.090)、(0.091±0.070)mm,在对照组分别为(0.704±0.099)、(0.557±0.063)、(0.045±0.014) mm;CIMTmax在0.6、0.7、0.8mm 时,高危组CIMTSD分别为(0.059±0.029)、(0.100 ±0.068)、(0.073.±0.018)mm,对照组分别为(0.041±0.015)、(0.050±0.013)、(0.042±0.013)mm; CIMTmean在0.50 ～0.69 mm时,高危组CIMTSD分别为(0.069±0.021)、(0.084±0.055) mm,对照组分别为(0.045±0.011)、(0.050±0.017) mm (P＜0.05);CIMTSD与血清超敏C-反应蛋白、甘油三脂、糖化血红蛋白、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白,收缩压、舒张压、吸烟等危险因素的相关性较CIMTmax、CIMTmean更好.结论 CIMTSD比CIMTmax、CIMTmean更能反映早期动脉粥样硬化.