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.     

Von Willebrand factor, platelets and endothelial cell interactions

Summary.  The adhesive protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) contributes to platelet function by mediating the initiation and progression of thrombus formation at sites of vascular injury. In recent years there has been considerable progress in explaining the biological properties of VWF, including the structural and functional characteristics of specific domains. The mechanism of interaction between the VWF A1 domain and glycoprotein Ibα has been elucidated in detail, bringing us closer to understanding how this adhesive bond can oppose the fluid dynamic effects of rapidly flowing blood contributing to platelet adhesion and activation. Moreover, novel findings have been obtained on the link between regulation of VWF multimer size and microvascular thrombosis. This progress in basic research has provided critical information to define with greater precision the role of VWF in vascular biology and pathology, including its possible involvement in the onset of atherosclerosis and its acute thrombotic complications.     

Association analysis of genes in the renin‐angiotensin system with subclinical cardiovascular disease in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Diabetes Heart Study

Aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and nitric oxide production are both important regulators of vascular function and blood pressure. Genes encoding proteins involved in these pathways are candidates for a contribution to CVD in diabetic patients. We have investigated variants of the angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genes for association with subclinical measures of CVD in families with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Atherosclerosis was measured by carotid intima‐media thickness and calcification of the carotid and coronary arteries in 620 European Americans and 117 African Americans in the Diabetes Heart Study. Because of the role of these systems in blood pressure regulation, blood pressure was also investigated. Results Compelling evidence of association was not detected with any of the SNPs with any outcome measures after adjustments for covariates despite sufficient power to detect relatively small differences in traits for specific genotype combinations. Conclusions Genetic variation of the RAS and NOS3 genes do not appear to strongly influence subclinical cardiovascular disease or blood pressure in this diabetic population.     

Homocysteinylation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from subjects with Type 1 diabetes: effect on oxidative damage of human endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to the effects of homocysteine than non-diabetic subjects. The interaction between homocysteine-thiolactone (Hcy-thiolactone), a reactive product of Hcy, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) induces the formation of homocystamide-LDL adducts (Hcy-LDL) and it has been suggested that homocysteinylation could increase atherogenicity of lipoproteins. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of in vitro homocysteinylation of LDL isolated from healthy control subjects (C-LDL) and from Type 1 diabetic patients (DM-LDL) and to investigate the effect of homocysteinylated LDL (Hcy-C-LDL and Hcy-DM-LDL) on peroxynitrite production of endothelial cells. METHODS: The in vitro homocysteinylation of LDL isolated from control (n = 12) and DM subjects (n = 12) was carried out by incubating lipoproteins with Hcy-thiolactone. The reaction was verified by quantifying the increase in sulphydryl groups (-SH groups) in Hcy-LDL with respect to control LDL. Control and homocysteinylated LDL were incubated with human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) in culture. Peroxynitrite production in cells treated in different experimental conditions was assayed by a fluorimetric method. RESULTS: The increase in -SH groups after incubation with homocysteine was greater in LDL from diabetic subjects compared with LDL from control subjects (P < 0.001). In addition, peroxynitrite production from HAEC incubated with Hcy-LDL from diabetic patients was greater than after incubation with Hcy-LDL from control subjects and untreated LDL from diabetic patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that LDL from diabetic patients is more susceptible to in vitro homocysteinylation than LDL from non-diabetic individuals and demonstrate that the compositional changes in Hcy-LDL from diabetic subjects have cytotoxic effects on human endothelial cells.     

Measurement of nonlinear property of artery wall using remote cyclic actuation

Purpose For tissue characterization of the arterial wall, we developed a “phased tracking” method to measure the strain (change in wall thickness) and elasticity of the arterial wall. To improve the accuracy of tissue characterization, we are now attempting to measure other mechanical properties in addition to elasticity. Methods In this study, the change in elasticity during the cardiac diastole was measured with ultrasound by generating a change in internal pressure using remote cyclic actuation. Results From the measured change in elasticity during cardiac diastole, the nonlinear property in the stress–strain relationship of the artery wall was estimated. In basic experiments using a silicone rubber tube and in vivo experiments in human carotid arteries. Conclusion The proposal method enables the noninvasive measurement of the nonlinear mechanical property in addition to the elasticity of the arterial wall.     

颈动脉狭窄在脑保护装置下的支架置入治疗

目的探讨颈动脉狭窄患者支架治疗中的脑保护装置的有效性和安全性及治疗意义。方法对14例颈动脉狭窄患者进行血管内支架治疗。全部应用了脑保护装置(滤网型)。结果14例患者成功地释放了18枚自膨式支架。其中2例发生微栓子脱落轻度卒中,治疗1～3d完全恢复,颈动脉狭窄6例出现短暂性心率减慢和低血压。随访期所有患者均未发生脑梗死。结论在支架治疗中,脑保护装置的应用可减少治疗中的神经并发症,是一种有效和安全的治疗方法。     

Apopotic gene Bax expression in carotid plaque

The expression of BAX in carotid atherosclcrosis and its regulation is far from defined. Objectives To investigate BAX expression in stable/fibrous and instable/vulnerable carotid plaque and its clinical significance. Methods 25 cases of carotid plaque specimens obtained from endarterectomy were divided into two groups, stable/fibrous 14 cases, vulnerable/instable 11 cases; aortic artery and its branches from hepatic transplantation donors 6 case as control. The expression of proapoptotic BAX was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), in situ hybridization(ISH) and in situ TdT dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results 5 eases of BAX ( ) were detected by ICH and ISH, 4 case of TUNEL ( ) were detected by TUNEL in stable/fibrous carotid plaque, while 10 cases were BAX ( )by IHC(P<0.05) , 11 case by ISH and 9 case by TUNEL were detected in instable/vulnerable carotid plaque (P<0.01), respectively. The intensity of BAX ( ) cells by IHC and ISH was 8.63±2.62 and 10.32±3.12 in fibrous plaques, whereas 122±21.64 and 152±23.35 in vulnerable plaques, respectively. No expression of BAX was found in controlled group. Conclusion The higher expression of Bax in vulnerable carotid plaque may be one mechanisms in molecular pathogenesis of carotid atherosclerosis which affect plaque stability and be the cause of higher incidence of stroke than fibrous carotid plaques, the regulation of BAX expression in different stage of atherosclerosis may provide targets in gene therapy for carotid atherosclerosis.     

糖耐量减低患者胰岛素抵抗与颈动脉粥样斑块的相关性分析

目的　探讨胰岛素抵抗 (IR)在糖耐量减低 (IGT)大血管并发症中的作用。方法　测定 1 2 0名IGT患者和 96名糖耐量正常(NGT)对照者的空腹血糖 (FBG)、胆固醇 (TC)、甘油三酯 (TG)、胰岛素 (FINS)及餐后 2h血糖 (PBG) ,并测量身高、体重、腰围、臀围 ,计算相对胰岛素敏感指数 (RISI)、体重指数 (BMI)、腰臀比 (WHR) ,结合其颈动脉多普勒超声检测结果进行对比分析。结果　IGT组及NGT组颈动脉粥样斑块发生率有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 0 1 ) ,斑块面积与RISI呈负相关 (r =- 0 .45 ,P <0 .0 1 ) ,与餐后 2h血糖 (r =0 .39,P <0 .0 1 )、BMI(r=0 .48,P <0 .0 1 )及WHR(r=0 .41 ,P <0 .0 1 )正相关 ,而与TG、FBG、TC、FINS无相关性 (P >0 .0 5)。IGT组患者有斑块和无斑块者之间RISI、WHR、BMI、餐后 2h血糖、TG之间也存在显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1 )。结论　胰岛素抵抗与颈动脉粥样硬化的发生密切相关 ,是IGT患者发生大血管并发症的重要原因。     

动脉粥样硬化对兔心功能变化的初步观察

本研究采用损伤性心功能测定方法,观察动粥兔和正常兔在前负荷条件下心功能变化。在前负荷前两组兔的MAP,LVSP,+dp/dt_(max)和-dp/dt_(max)无明显差异;在前负荷后10min动粥兔表现+dp/dt_(max)和-dp/dt_(max)明显障碍(P<0.001,P<0.002,P<0.01),正常兔表现无变化。初步观察表明,动粥兔在心电ST段变化之前,心脏的贮备功能已有明显障碍。     

Left internal carotid artery dissection presenting with headache, Collet-Sicard syndrome and sustained hypertension

The baroreflex maintains blood pressure through the glossopharyngeal (IX) cranial nerve. We report a 54-year-old man who developed a left sided headache, hoarseness, dysarthria, dysphagia, and sustained hypertension from a left internal carotid artery dissection. We hypothesise that interruption of the left IX nerve caused hypertension in this patient.