The carotid endarterectomy: Experience with 260 cases and discussion of the indications

Summary During 1978 to 1989, 235 patients were operated upon with 260 procedures for cervical carotid endarterectomy. The patients were classified according to the presence or absence of ischaemic symptomatology, and for symptomatic patients, according to the reversibility or persistance of ischaemic symptoms. So the selection of patients was: reversible ischaemia 46%, stroke 29%, asymptomatic patients 25%. In the stroke group, no patient was operated on as an emergency, the endarterectomy was only performed after stabilization of the clinical state. Three subgroups were included in patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis: casual discovery 40%, treatment of the second carotid artery (previous endarterectomy for symptomatic contralateral stenosis) 34%, and treatment of the second carotid artery (previous ECIC by-pass for contralateral carotid occlusion) 26%. All patients were operated upon after angiographic exploration (femoral catheterisation in most cases), and after cerebral CT scan. The surgical technique included general anaesthesia, systematic shunting, endarterectomy after longitudinal arteriotomy, closure without patch. The operating microscope has been used since 1985.The surgical results were studied in terms of uneventful postoperative course (87%), reversible complications (8%) and long lasting complications (5%). The long lasting complications were of local origin (1%), of neurological origin (2%), of general origin (1%). Overall the operative outcome at 6 months was: return to previous clinical state 95%, neurological sequelae 2%, death 3%. In the patients operated on for asymptomatic carotid stenosis the overall outcome was: previous clinical state 97%, death 3%. The legitimacy of carotid endarterectomy procedure is discussed in relation to some recent pertinent literature.     

Beta carotene uptake into atherosclerotic plaque: Enhanced staining and preferential ablation with the pulsed dye laser

The yellow color of atherosclerotic plaque is due to the presence of carotenoids, which absorb light between 430–530 nm and account for the preferential ablation of plaque by the pulsed dye laser operating at 480 nm. This study was designed to examine tissue uptake of β-carotene and the effect of uptake on arterial plaque ablation. Forty-two atherosclerotic NZW rabbits were given intravenous β-carotene at a dose of 40 mg/kg, twice weekly and killed between 1 hour and 28 days after the initial injection. β-carotene was not detected in control specimens but was significantly greater in plaque than in normal wall at all time points following β-carotene injection (P < 0.04 Mann Whitney U test). The ablation threshold was significantly lower in β-carotene treated plaque than in untreated plaque or normal arterial wall (P < 0.01, Fisher's exact test). In this model β-carotene is preferentially taken up into arterial plaque, resulting in increased absorption of laser radiation at 480 nm and enhanced tissue ablation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Osteoporosis and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Postmenopausal Women

Estrogen deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis and coronary artery disease. Osteoporosis can be evaluated by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). Coronary atherosclerotic burden can be evaluated by measuring coronary calcium using electron beam computed tomography (EBT) of the heart. We compared coronary calcium scores in 45 asymptomatic postmenopausal women with normal and low BMD. BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and coronary calcium was measured quantitatively by EBT. Women were divided into control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on the T score of the lumbar spine. Women were similar in age, years since menopause, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). BMD ± SD (g/cm²) of L1–L4 was 0.96 ± 0.11, 0.83 ± 0.03, and 0.73 ± 0.05, in control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis group, respectively. The total coronary calcium score ± SD (relative units) was 41.9 ± 83.1, 115.1 ± 181.9, and 221.7 ± 355.4 for control, osteopenia, and osteoporosis group, respectively; the score was significantly higher in the osteoporosis than in the control group. This study provides initial data suggesting that women with osteoporosis may have a higher risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis.     

Stenting of the left carotid artery to relieve anginal symptoms.

Stenting of the carotid artery is usually performed either to prevent an acute neurologic event or to treat episodes of recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Occasionally, it may be performed for other indications. We describe the case of a patient with prior coronary artery bypass grafting using a left internal mammary arterial graft, in addition to left carotid artery to left subclavian artery bypass for symptomatic left subclavian stenosis, who subsequently underwent left common carotid artery stenting to relieve anginal symptoms.     

滤网式脑保护装置下颈动脉狭窄支架置入术的临床研究

目的探讨颈动脉支架置入术中滤网式脑保护装置的有效性及安全性。方法19例颈动脉狭窄患者在滤网脑保护装置下使用自膨胀支架行颈动脉支架置入术。观察脑栓塞的发生和所回收的过滤网。术后短期随访。结果19例滤网式脑保护装置下颈动脉支架置入术均成功实施,回收的过滤伞中8个发现组织碎片,无手术死亡及症状性脑梗塞并发症。临床短期随访无脑缺血发生。结论脑保护装置下支架置入术治疗颈动脉狭窄是安全和有效的。     

Lipoprotein (a) levels in those with high molecular weight apo (a) isoforms may remain low in a significant proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increase in median Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) in patients with high molecular weight (HMW) apolipoprotein (apo) (a) isoforms and renal impairment. Some studies identify Lp (a) levels as a risk factor for vascular disease in renal failure whilst others have demonstrated an association with apo (a) isoform type and vascular disease. METHODS: A total of 239 patients at end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were studied prior to the initiation of dialysis. Blood was taken for Lp (a) levels and apo (a) isoforms. Clinical vascular disease (CVD) was assessed on the basis of clinical history and Rose questionnaire. The control group for Lp (a) levels consisted of 228 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Despite a higher median Lp (a) level in those with HMW isoforms, 30% of patients had Lp (a) levels <10 mg/dl. Overall, 49% patients were identified as having CVD. Diabetes, smoking history and Lp (a) levels were significantly associated with CVD in logistic regression analysis, although when patients with low molecular weight (LMW) and HMW isoforms were analysed separately, Lp (a) levels were not significantly associated with CVD in those with LMW isoforms. The rates of CVD in those with HMW isoform and low Lp (a) levels were significantly lower than those with HMW isoforms and elevated Lp (a) levels, 34 vs 57% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although median Lp (a) levels in those patients at ESRF with HMW isoforms are higher than controls, in a third of such patients Lp (a) levels remain relatively low. These patients have lower rates of CVD than those with high levels of Lp (a).     

Carotid intima-media thickness in Parkinson's disease.

There have been a few studies and inconsistent results regarding the coincidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and atherosclerotic diseases, such as cerebrovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is a known marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the carotid IMT between PD patients and controls. We studied 43 patients with PD and 86 matched controls. The carotid IMT in PD patients was significantly smaller than in controls (0.796 +/- 0.179 mm vs. 0.913 +/- 0.237 mm, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, the carotid IMT was inversely associated with the duration of levodopa medication and the severity of PD. These results suggest that PD patients have a lower risk of atherosclerosis.     

Prevalence of silent myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis detected by electron beam tomography

BACKGROUND: Electron beam tomography coronary calcium imaging is an evolving technique for the early detection of coronary atherosclerosis, and recent studies have established its prognostic value in asymptomatic individuals. The relationship of coronary artery calcium scores (CAC) to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) has been poorly studied but is clinically relevant because it determines which individuals are likely to benefit from revascularization procedures. Hence, we prospectively evaluated the prevalence of myocardial ischemia in asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 864 asymptomatic patients with no previous CAD but with cardiovascular risk factors, referred for electron beam tomography coronary calcium imaging to our institution over an 18-month period. From this group, 220 consecutive patients (85% men; mean age, 61 +/- 9 years; age range, 31-84 years) with moderate to severe atherosclerotic disease (coronary calcium score > or =100 Agatston units) were prospectively evaluated by technetium 99m sestamibi single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Patients were followed up (mean follow-up, 14 months) and data regarding their subsequent clinical management recorded. Of the 220 patients, 119 had moderate atherosclerosis (CAC score of 100-400 Agatston units) and 101 had severe atherosclerosis (CAC score > or =400 Agatston units). Abnormal SPECT findings were seen in 18% of patients with moderate atherosclerosis (n = 21) and 45% of patients with severe atherosclerosis (n = 45). Increasing severity of atherosclerosis was related to increasing ischemic burden (summed difference score = 1 +/- 0.2 for CAC score of 100-400 Agatston units and 3.2 +/- 0.5 for CAC score > or =400 Agatston units). In a multivariate linear regression model incorporating risk factors, CAC was the only predictor of silent ischemia. CONCLUSION: In comparison to previously published data, we detected a higher prevalence of silent ischemia even in patients with moderate coronary atherosclerosis (18%). This may reflect the differing risk factor profile of our patient population. When coronary calcium screening is used to preselect asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors for myocardial perfusion imaging, the optimum coronary calcium score threshold will depend on the population prevalence of risk factors and asymptomatic obstructive CAD.     

面神经颅外段血供的应用解剖学研究

目的探讨面神经颅外段的动脉来源及分布. 方法 15例新鲜尸体头颈部标本经双侧颈总动脉插管,加压注入红色乳胶或过氯乙烯填充剂,观察面神经颅外段的血供来源及分布. 结果面神经营养动脉来源于耳后动脉的茎乳动脉、颞浅动脉面神经支、面横动脉、颈外动脉上面神经支、颈外动脉下面神经支、面动脉后面神经支和面动脉前面神经支,其外径分别为(0.8±0.2) mm、(0.9±0.4) mm、(1.9±0.3) mm、(1.0±0.2) mm、(1.1±0.4) mm、(1.0±0.2) mm和(1.1±0.6) mm.各营养动脉除营养面神经外还发出分支相互吻合,构成了丰富的面神经血管网. 结论了解面神经颅外段动脉血供来源及分布,为避免腮腺咬肌区手术损伤面神经营养血管提供了解剖学基础.     

Petrous internal carotid aneurysm causing epistaxis: balloon embolization with preservation of the parent vessel

Summary A patient with severe, recurrent posterior epistaxis was shown at angiography to have an aneurysm of the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Since childhood, she had had pain related to eustachian tube blockage by the aneurysm. An endovascular balloon embolization of the aneurysm was successful with preservation of the parent artery. The treatment resulted in resolution of the symtpoms. The report confirms the usefulness of an angiographic protocol in evaluating vascular problems.