Angiographical and histopathologic study of atherosclerotic plaques in acute myocardial infarction

Objective Compare the morphology of atherosclerotic plaquesmgiographically and histopathologically in acute myocardialmfarction m order to accumulate experience in recognizing plaquerupture and thrombus by angiogrames.Material and methods 16postmortem cases of acute myocardial infarction were studied.The coronary arteries were romoved en block,filled with barium the lumen and ridiographed.Then the arteries wereontinuously insetted and routin HE sections were made.Results 16 cases had plaque ruptures and thrombi.Among the total98 blocks,21 had plaque ruptures on which 20 thrombiccur(95.23%).while the other 777 unrupured blocks had only 2hrombi(0.25%).The difference was significant(p【0.001).Therupture mostly occur on unstable plaques.The ruptured plaqueswith thrombi had different angiographical morphology withunruptured plaques.The former had irregular borders andunraluminal lucencies;while the Iatter had smooth borders and nointraluminal lucencies.Conclusions Plaque ruprure withthrumbus was the major cause of acute myocardial infarction andthe ruptured plaques with thrombus had different angiographicalapperances with unruptured plaques.

Is angiography still the best method to stratify stroke risk in symptomatic atherosclerotic carotid plaque?

The degree of vessel lumen narrowing is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke. New developments in carotid plaque morphology imaging (MR, CT), may bring new insights to the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic disease and stroke risk. Our aim is to review the stroke risk in a symptomatic patient with moderate carotid stenosis by CT imaging and histopathology. A 72-year-old patient with low ABCD2 scores TIA and moderate left internal carotid stenosis (50% by carotid ultrasound), was discharged with an optimized medical therapy. Four months later, he presented an ischemic stroke in the left frontal area. Carotid angiography showed a 60% stenosis in the left-internal carotid artery with a regular surface. CT plaque imaging detected a thin fibrous cap with calcification and an intraplaque hemorrhage (high-risk plaque). These findings were confirmed in the histolopathological study of the atherosclerotic plaque performed after the endarterectomy. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient returned independently to his daily activities. We propose, in this study, the inclusion of noninvasive plaque imaging in the evaluation of acute TIA with moderate carotid stenosis to better select patients with higher risk of stroke recurrence.

Study on the relationship between Lp-PLA2, D- dimer and Galectin-3 and atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective: To explore the relationship and clinical value of serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), d-dimers, and serum galectin-3 (galectin-3) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in coronary artery patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 248 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in our hospital from June 2017 to September 2018 were selected and divided into vulnerable plaque group (89), stable plaque group (89) and control group (70) according to the examination results. The serum levels of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in three groups were compared, as well as their correlation with the detection parameters. To evaluate the clinical value of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque. Results: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 levels were significantly different from the three groups (P<0.05), and the control group < stable plaque group <vulnerable plaque group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 were significantly positively correlated with plaque area, plaque load, necrotic core and calcified tissue (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with fibrous lipid and fibrous tissue (P<0.01). ROC curve showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 had certain predictive value for vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques (AUC=0.939, 0.977, 0.920, P<0.01), and the three combinations (AUC=0.986, P<0.01) had higher predictive value. Conclusion: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 are significantly correlated with coronary atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in patients with coronary heart disease, with high sensitivity and specificity, which can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of early atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.

Value of superb micro-vascular imaging in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are prone to cause ischemic stroke.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) is the primary method of assessing plaque stability, but CEUS cannot be a method for screening for unstable plaque. The emergence of superb micro-vascular imaging(SMI) offers the possibility of clinically screening for unstable plaque AIM To investigate the value of SMI in predicting ischemic stroke in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques.METHODS Patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques(luminal stenosis of 50%-70%) were enrolled into the present study. All patients received conservative medication.The patient's clinical baseline data, serological data, CEUS and SMI data were analyzed. All patients underwent a 3-year follow-up. The follow-up endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke and patients were divided into stroke group and non-stroke group according to whether the prognosis occurred or not.Subsequently, the difference in clinical data was compared, the correlation of SMI and CEUS was analyzed, and multiple Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were applied to investigate the value of SMI and CEUS in predicting cerebral arterial thrombosis in three years.RESULTS In this study, 43 patients were enrolled in the stroke group and 82 patients were enrolled in the non-stroke group. Cox regression revealed that SMI level(P =0.013) and enhancement intensity(P = 0.032) were the independent factors influencing ischemic stroke. There was a positive correlation between SMI level and enhancement intensity(r = 0.737, P = 0.000). The area under curve of SMI level predicting ischemic stroke was 0.878. The best diagnostic point was ≥ level Ⅱ, and its sensitivity and specificity was 86.05% and 79.27%. The area under curve of enhancement intensity predicting ischemic stroke was 0.890. The best diagnostic point was 9.92 db, and its sensitivity and specificity was 88.37% and89.02%. As the SMI level gradually increased, the incidence of ischemic stroke increased gradually(X^2 = 108.931, P = 0.000).CONCLUSION SMI can be used as a non-invasive method of screening for unstable plaques and may help prevent ischemic stroke.

Association between Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Objective The objective of this study is to determine whether coronary atherosclerotic plaque composition is associated with cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk in Chinese adults. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis in 549 subjects without previous diagnosis or clinical symptoms of CVD in a community cohort of middle-aged Chinese adults. The participants underwent coronary computed tomography(CT) angiography for the evaluation of the presence and composition of coronary plaques. CVD risk was evaluated by the Framingham risk score(FRS) and the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD) risk score. Results Among the 549 participants, 267(48.6%) had no coronary plaques, 201(36.6%) had noncalcified coronary plaques, and 81(14.8%) had calcified or mixed coronary plaques. The measures of CVD risk including FRS and ASCVD risk score and the likelihood of having elevated FRS significantly increased across the groups of participants without coronary plaques, with noncalcified coronary plaques, and with calcified or mixed coronary plaques. However, only calcified or mixed coronary plaques were significantly associated with an elevated ASCVD risk score [odds ratio(OR) 2.41; 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.09-5.32] compared with no coronary plaques, whereas no significant association was found for noncalcified coronary plaques and elevated ASCVD risk score(OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.71-2.21) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusion Calcified or mixed coronary plaques might be more associated with an elevated likelihood of having CVD than noncalcified coronary plaques.

Evaluation of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography

This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaque stability and the clinical symptoms in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Fifty patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were enrolled and examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. The correlation of contrast agent enhancement of the carotid atherosclerotic plaques and the clinical symptoms was analyzed. The results showed that among the 50 patients, plaques were enhanced in the 23 patients with obvious clinical symptoms. In 27 patients without apparent clinical symptoms, plaques were enhanced sparsely in 15 patients and not enhanced in 12 patients. It was suggested that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be used for the examination of the microcirculation in carotid atherosclerotic plaques on real-time basis and serve as a new noninvasive approach for the assessment of stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Correlation between Enhanced Intensity of Atherosclerotic Plaque at Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography and Density of Histological Neovascularization

Summary： The feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization and its relation to histological findings were investigated. Abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque model was induced in 25 New Zealand white rabbits by a combination of high cholesterol-rich diet and balloon aortic denudation. Standard and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed at the 16th week of the model induction period. The plaques were classified as echogenic plaques or echolucent plaques according to their echogenicity at standard ultrasonography. The maxi- mum thickness of plaque was measured in the longitudinal section. Time intensity curve was used to quantify the enhanced intensity of the plaque. Animals were euthanized and abdominal aortas were har- vested for histological staining of CD31 to evaluate the neovascularization density of atherosclerotic plaque. The results showed that the echolucent plaques had higher enhanced intensity during con- trast-enhanced ultrasonography and higher neovascularization density at CD31 staining than the echo- genic plaques. The enhanced intensity of atherosclerotic plaque and its ratio to lumen were well corre- lated with histological neovascularization density （r=0.75, P〈0.001; r=0.68, P〈0.001, respectively）. However, the maximum thickness of plaque was not correlated with neovascularization density （r=0.235, P=0.081）. These findings demonstrated that the enhanced intensity in the plaque and ratio of enhanced intensity to that in the lumen of abdominal aorta may be more accurate in the evaluation of plaque neovascularization than maximum thickness. Our study indicates that contrast-enhanced ultra- sonography provides us a reliable method for the evaluation of plaque neovascularization.

Evaluation of ^(99m)Tc Labeled Diadenosine Tetraphosphate as an Atherosclerotic Plaque Imaging Agent in Experimental Models

The potential of ^99mTc labeled P^1, P^4-di （adenosine-5 ＇ ）-tetraphosphate （Ap4A） for imaging experimental atherosclerotic plaques was evaluated in New Zealand white （NZW） rabbits. To label the ^99mTc to Ap4A, stannous tartrate solution was used. ^99mTc-Ap4A was purified on a Sephadex G-25 column. The radiochemistry purities of ^99mTc-Ap4A were 85% to 91%. Biodistribution study revealed ^99mTc-Ap4A cleared from blood rapidly. Thirty min after ^99mTc-Ap4A administrated on NZW atherosclerotic rabbits, lesion to blood （target/blood, T/B） ratio was 3. 17 ±1.27, and lesions to normal （target/non-target, T/NT） ratio was 5.23 ±1.87. Shadows of atherosclerotic plaques were clearly visible on radioautographic film. Aortas with atherosclerotic plaques also could be seen on ex vivo gamma camera images. Atherosclerotic abdominal aortas were clearly visible on in vivo images 15 min to 3 h after ^99mTc-Ap4A administration. ^99mTc-labeled Ap4A can be used for rapid noninvasive detection of experimental atherosclerotic plaque.

Image-Based Modeling for Atherosclerotic Coronary Plaque Progression and Vulnerability Research

China Cardiovascular Disease Report 2017(Summary)pointed out that at present,cardiovascular diseases(CVD)account for the highest number of deaths among urban and rural residents.In the middle or later stages of atherosclerosis,the plaques become increasingly unstable with high chance to rupture,which may lead acute death from coronary heart diseases.Medical imaging and image-based computational modeling have been used in recent years to quantify ather-osclerotic plaque morphological and biomechanical characteristics and predict the coronary plaque growth and rupture processes.Analyzing the vulnerability of plaques effectively could lead to better patient screening strategies and enable physicians to adopt timely and necessary intervention or conservative treatment.Earlier investigations of vulnerable plaques were mostly based on histopathological data.With the accumulation of experience in pathology and the gradual enrichment of autopsy materials,the criteria for the diagnosis of vulnerable plaques appeared in 2001,mainly manifested as the necrotic lipid nuclei,fibrous caps that are infiltrated by a large number of macrophages,and fibrous cap thickness less than 65μm.Because of the obvious importance of the thin fibrous cap in the study of plaque vulnerability,it has been a focus of attention by many investigations.Watson,M.G.et al.are concerned about the formation of early fibrous caps in recent years.The presentation of local maximum stress on plaque further confirmed the importance of thin fibrous cap.The development of medical images has greatly promoted the study of coronary atherosclerosis.Compared with autopsy ex vivo,medical image could provide plaque data under in vivo conditions and greatly promote the study of coronary atherosclerosis.Huang XY et al.used ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)to study the relationship between plaque wall stress(PWS)and death caused by coronary artery disease.Due to technical limitations and the accessibility of the coronary artery in the body,MRI is not widely used for in vivo coronary studies.Interventional intravascular ultrasound(IVUS),with an image resolution of 150-200μm,has been used in research and clinical practice to identify plaques,quantify plaque morphology,and characterize plaque components.More recently,optical coherence tomography(OCT),with its resolution of 5-10μm,has emerged as an imaging modality which can be used to detect thin fibrous caps and improve diagnostic accuracy.It is commonly believed that mechanical forces play an important role in plaque progression and rupture.Image-based biomechanical plaque models have been developed and used to quantify plaque mechanical conditions and seek their linkage to plaque progression and vulnerability development activities.Based on recent advances in imaging and modeling,this paper attempts to provide a brief review on plaque research,including histological classification,image preparation,biomechanical modeling and analysis methods including medical imaging techniques represented by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)and optical coherence tomography(OCT),computational modeling and their applications in plaque progression and vulnerability analyses and predictions.The clinical application and future development direction are also briefly described.We focus more on human coronary plaque modeling and mainly included results from our group for illustration purpose.We apologize in advance for our limitations.

Characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in a homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia visualized by optical coherence tomography

Familial hypercholesterolemia(FH)is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder,which resulted in severe elevations in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and a markedly increased risk of early-onset coronary disease.[1]t is most frequently caused by loss-of-function mutations in genes affecting the LDL receptor,which clears LDL particles from plasma.

Observation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Phantoms through Saline or Blood Layers by Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging

We observed atherosclerotic plaque phantoms using a novel near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technique. Data were obtained through saline or blood layers to simulate an angioscopic environment for the phantom. For the study, we developed a NIR-HSI system with an NIR supercontinuum light source and mercury-cadmium-telluride camera. Apparent spectral absorbance was obtained at wavelengths of 1150 - 2400 nm. Hyperspectral images of lipid were constructed using a spectral angle mapper algorithm. Bovine fat covered with saline or blood was observed using hyperspectral images at a wavelength around 1200 nm. Our results show that NIR-HSI is a promising angioscopic technique with the potential to identify lipid-rich plaques without clamping and saline injection.

Simulation of the Thermal and Mechanical Effects of a Planar Rectangular High Intensity Ultrasound Transducer to Be Used for Destroying Atherosclerotic Plaque

The aim of this study is to perform a simulation study of the thermal and mechanical effects of a flat rectangular (3×10 mm2),MRI compatible transducer operating at 5 MHz for the purpose of destroying atherosclerotic plaque. The simulation study focuses on measuring the plaque destruction (due to the thermal of mechanical mode of ultrasound) as a function of power, time, frequency, duty factor and pulse duration. The main goal is to keep the artery temperature at a safe level. The simulation study shows that with the thermal mode the temperature in the artery cannot be kept at a safe level.

Efficacy of coronary computed tomography angiography in detecting atherosclerotic plaque in coronary artery disease:a comparative study with optical coherence tomography

1 IntroductionOver the past few decades,there has been impressive technological progress in science and this has obviously yielded a massive progress in medical imaging field.Whereas in the past radiological diagnostic tools were limited to X-rays,ultrasonography,barium meals,etc.,nowadays,technologies such

Correlation between peripheral blood Cx40 gene polymorphism and atherosclerotic plaque property development in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective:To study the correlation between peripheral blood connexin 40 (Cx40) gene polymorphism and atherosclerotic plaque property development in patients with cerebral infarction.Methods: Patients who were treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University due to acute cerebral infarction between March 2015 and March 2018 were selected as cerebral infarction group, and healthy subjects who received physical examination during the same period were selected as control group. Peripheral blood was collected to detect the polymorphism of Cx40 gene rs35594137 locus, and serum was collected to determine the contents of cytokines, proteases and related molecules.Results: The constituent ratio of Cx40 gene AA+AG genotype in peripheral blood of cerebral infarction group was higher than that of control group whereas the constituent ratio of GG genotype was lower than that of control group;serum IL-17, HMGB1, VCAM1, MCP-1, P-selectin, YKL-40, MMP9, TIMP1 and Caspase-3 contents as well as MMP9/TIMP1 ratio of cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those of control group whereas ADAMTS13 and Vaspin contents were significantly lower than those of control group;serum IL-17, HMGB1, VCAM1, MCP-1, P-selectin, YKL-40, MMP9, TIMP1 and Caspase-3 contents as well as MMP9/TIMP1 ratio of cerebral infarction group of patients with CX40 gene AA+AG genotype were significantly higher than those of patients with GG genotype whereas ADAMTS13 and Vaspin contents were significantly lower than those of patients with GG genotype.Conclusion: The mutation from Cx40 gene rs35594137 allele G to A in peripheral blood of patients with cerebral infarction can promote the development of atherosclerotic plaque properties.

Comparison of the Values of MRI in the Differential Diagnosis of Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Atherosclerotic Plaque

Objective:To evaluate the values of Carotid Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic carotid stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque.Methods:56 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease admitted in our hospital from October 2018 to October 2019 were selected and treated with Carotid MRI and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)examinations.According to the two examination results recorded and the“gold standard”of DSA examination,values of Carotid MRI in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic carotid stenosis were evaluated.Results:According to the“gold standard”of DSA examination,the sensitivity and specificity of MRI examination for carotid stenosis were:Mild:92.54%and 97.78%;Moderate:85.71%and 88.78%;Severe:100.00%and 97.8%;and complete occlusion:100.00%and 100.00%;The proportions of intraplaque haemorrhage and ruptured fibrous cap in different degrees of carotid artery stenosis were:Mild:30.16%and 22.22%;Moderate:43.48%and 39.13%;And severe:57.89%and 52.63%.Conclusion:MRI examination can evaluate the degree of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis,and show the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque at the same time to provide a reference for early clinical differential diagnosis and treatment.

Increased inflammatory cell infiltration and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in atherosclerotic plaque of diabetic rabbits

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine levels of inflammatory cell infiltration and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression in atherosclerotic plaques of diabetic rabbits. Methods Diabetes was induced in rabbits by alloxan injection, and atherosclerotic plaque formation was stimulated both in diabetic and non-diabetic (sham-injected) rabbits by balloon injury of the abdominal aorta together with high lipid feeding. The morphology of atherosclerosis thus generated was studied by angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Transverse sections of diseased aorta were examined by immunohistochemistry to analyze numbers of macrophages and smooth muscle cells as well as expression of MMP-1.

The possible value of ~18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computerized tomography imaging in detection of atherosclerotic plaque

Objective：To evaluate the clinical value with positron emission tomography/computerized tomography（PET/CT） imaging for the detection of vulnerable plaque in atherosclerotic lesions. Methods：Sixty people with a age of over 60[mean age （69.2 ± 7.1）years] underwent three dimension（3D） whole-body fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose（^18F-FDG） PET/CT imaging and were evaluated retrospectively, including 6 cases assessed as normal and 54 cases with active atherosclerotic plaque. Fifty-four cases with SUVs and CT values in the aortic wall of high-FDG-uptake were measured retrospectively. These high-FDG-uptake cases in the aortic wall were divided into three groups according their CT value. Cases in group 1 had high uptake in atherosclerotic lesions of the aortic wall with CT value of less than 60 Hu（soft plaque）. Cases in group 2 had high uptake with CT value between 60-100 Hu （intermediate plaque）, Cases in group 3 had high uptake with CT value more than 100 Hu（calcified plaque）, Group 4 was normal. Results： In group 1, there were 42 high-FDG-uptake sites （average SUV 1.553 ± 0.486）. In group 2, there were 30 high-FDG-uptake sites（average SUV 1.393 ± 0.296）. In group 3, there were 36 high-FDG-uptake sites（average SUV 1.354 ± 0.189）. In group 4, there were 33 normal-FDG-uptake sites （average SUV was 1.102 ± 0.141）, The SUVs showed significant difference among the four groups（F = 678.909, P = 0.000）. There were also significant difference found between the normal-FDG-uptake group and the high-FDG-uptake groups（P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.001, respectively）. Conclusion：Different degrees of ^18F-FDG uptake in active large atherosclerotic plaque were shown in different stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation. The soft plaque had the highest FDG uptake in this study. This suggested that ^18F- FDG PET/CT imaging may be of great potential value in early diagnosis and monitoring of vulnerable soft plaque in atherosclerotic lesions.

Effect of atorvastatin calcium on the carotid atherosclerotic plaque and cerebral blood flow indicators in patients with TIA

Objective:To explore the effect of atorvastatin calcium on the carotid atherosclerotic plaque, serum lipid level, and cerebral hemodynamic indicators in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods:A total of 80 patients with TIA and carotid atherosclerotic plaque who were admitted in our hospital and confirmed by the ultrasound were included in the study and randomized into the treatment group and the control group (n = 40). The patients in the two groups were given TIA routine treatments and aspirin. On this basis, the patients in the treatment group were given atorvastatin calcium. The carotid ultrasound before treatment and 6 months after treatment in the two groups was performed to compare the atherosclerotic plaque area and IMT. The serum lipid level and cerebral hemodynamic parameters were detected. Results:IMT and carotid plaque area after treatment in the treatment group were significantly reduced when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). IMT and carotid plaque area after treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The comparison of TC, TG, LDL, and HDL levels before treatment between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). TC, TG, and LDL levels after treatment were significantly reduced when compared with before treatment (P<0.05), while HDL level was significantly elevated when compared with before treatment (P<0.05). TC, TG, and LDL levels after treatment in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), while HDL level was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The average blood velocity and average blood flow volume of cerebral circulation after treatment in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), while the cerebrovascular characteristic resistance and peripheral resistance were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusions:Atorvastatin calcium in the treatment of TIA can significantly reduce the serum lipid level, alleviate or stabilize the carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and improve the cerebral hemodynamic indicators, with a significant efficacy.

The correlation of serum PDGF and Ang-2 contents with atherosclerotic plaque features in patients with coronary heart disease

Objective:To study the correlation of serum PDGF and Ang-2 contents with atherosclerotic plaque features in patients with coronary heart disease.Methods: A total of 80 patients with coronary heart disease who were treated in our hospital between January 2013 and April 2016 were collected as the observation group, and 50 healthy subjects who received medical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as the normal control group. Serum PDGF and Ang-2 contents of two groups of patients were detected, and the observation group were further divided into the high PDGF group and low PDGF group (n = 40) as well as the high Ang-2 group and low Ang-2 group (n = 40) according to the median of PDGF and Ang-2 contents. Ultrasonic contrast technology was used to assess the atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in patients with coronary heart disease.Results: Serum PDGF and Ang-2 contents of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group;ultrasound parameters P and AUC levels of high PDGF group were higher than those of low PDGF group while Tp and MTT levels were lower than those of low PDGF group;ultrasound parameters P and AUC levels of high Ang-2 group were higher than those of low Ang-2 group while Tp and MTT levels were lower than those of low Ang-2 group.Conclusion:Serum PDGF and Ang-2 contents increase in patients with coronary heart disease and are negatively correlated with the atherosclerotic plaque stability.

Analysis of correlation between carotid atherosclerotic plaques and serum hs-CRP, Apo-B, ox-LDL and MMP-9 levels in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction

ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between the levels of serum hypersensitive c-reactive protein(hs-CRP),apolipoprotein-B(Apo-B),oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and carotid arteryplaque(CAP)in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ASCI).Methods 125 patients with ASCI diagnosed in the Department of Neurology of Panzhihua Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018 were selected as the case group,and 125 healthy volunteers in the same period were selected as the control group.Serum levels of hs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 were compared between the two groups.Carotid ultrasound was performed in patients with ASCI.The correlation between serum levels of hs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 and the formation of CAP in patients with ASCI was analyzed by SPSS 23.0 statistics.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of serum hs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 increased significantly in the case group(P<0.01).The serum levels of hs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 in patients with CAP were significantly higher than those without CAP in the case group(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum levels of hs-CRP(OR=4.76,95%CI:2.35-9.18),Apo-B(OR=3.16,95%CI:1.59-7.32),ox-LDL(OR=1.48,95%CI:1.15-2.01)and MMP-9(OR=3.86,95%CI:1.63-9.14)were independent risk factors for CAP formation in patients with ASCI(P<0.05).ConclusionsThe contents of serumhs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 may reflect the serverity of inflammation and instability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in ASCI patient.The levels of serum hs-CRP,Apo-B,ox-LDL and MMP-9 in patients with ASCI are significantly increased,which are closely related to the formation of CAP in patients with ASCI,so it can be used as important serum biomarkers for clinical diagnosis of ASCI and CAP formation.