Relationship between Carotid Atherosclerosis and Cerebral Infarction

Objective To study the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and cerebral infarction (CI). Methods Between November 2008 and March 2009,147 CI patients (CI group) and 48 patients with non-cerebrovascular diseases (control group) were enrolled from inpatients of Neurology Department of our hospital. The diagnostic criterion of thickened carotid intima was set as 1.0 mm≤intima-media thickness (IMT) <1.5 mm and that of carotid plaque was as IMT≥1.5 mm. Carotid atherosclerosis was divided into three levels: normal intima,thickened intima,and plaque formation. The color Doppler ultrasonography data of carotid arteries in all patients were analyzed and the severity of carotid atherosclerosis was compared between the two groups. Results In the CI group,36 (24.5%) patients had normal carotid intima,22 (15.0%) had thickened carotid intima,and 89 (60.5%) had carotid plaque. In the control group,22 (45.8%) patients had normal carotid intima,4 (8.3%) had thickened carotid intima,and 22 (45.8%) had carotid plaque. The severity of carotid atherosclerosis in the CI group was higher than that in the control group (P=0.022). There was significant difference in the constitution of carotid plaque between the two groups (P=0.001); the CI group mainly had the soft plaque (55/89,61.8%),whereas the control group mainly had the hard plaque (17/22,77.3%). The first three common locations of carotid plaque in both groups were carotid bifurcation (CI group: 73.7%; control group: 64.1%),common carotid artery (CI group: 20.4%; control group: 25.6%),and internal carotid artery (CI group: 5.9%; control group: 10.3%). The location of carotid plaque between the two groups was not significantly different (P=0.438). There was no difference in the carotid inner diameter or resistance index between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Carotid atherosclerosis is to some extent able to reveal the atherosclerotic condition of cerebral arteries and act as an important predictor for the risk of CI. The color Doppler ultrasonography of carotid arteries can provide a convenient way for the prevention and treatment of CI.

Hepatic steatosis is associated with an increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis

AIM: Although an association between hepatic steatosis and vascular risk factors has been described, direct relationships between fatty liver and atherosclerosis have not yet been investigated. The aim of the present study has been to investigate those relationships. METHODS: The Study of Health in Pomerania examined a random population sample aged between 20 and 79 years. A study population of 4 222 subjects without hepatitis B and C infections and without liver cirrhosis was available for the present analysis. Hepatic steatosis was defined sonographically and intima-media thickness (IMT) as well as plaque prevalence were estimated by carotid ultrasound. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of hepatic steatosis was 29.9%. Among subjects aged ≥45 years, an association between hepatic steatosis and IMT of the carotid arteries was found in bivariate analysis, but not after adjustment for atherosclerotic risk factors. Individuals with fatty liver had more often carotid plaques than persons without fatty liver (plaque prevalence rate 76.8% vs 66.6%; P<0.001). This association persisted after adjustment for confounding factors and was predominantly present in subjects with no to mild alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: There is an independent association between hepatic steatosis and carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Metabolic changes due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may explain this relationship.

INSULIN RESISTANCE AND CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN 221 PATIENTS WITH POTENTIAL HYPERGLYCEMIA

Objective To investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with potential hyperglycemia. Methods A total of 221 patients were recruited among those with potential hyperglycemia. All participants underwent physical examination, medical history interview, and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Venous blood was sampled for measurement of insulin and cholesterol levels. The intima-media thickness (IMT) in bilateral common carotid arteries was observed by B-mode ultrasound. Insulin resistance index was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Subjects were stratified in quintiles according to HOMA-IR values. Risk factors and atherosclerotic parameters were analyzed. Results With HOMA-IR value increase, incidence of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease increased, the levels of triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose, 2 hour plasma glucose, and fasting insulin increased as well, while the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased. Meanwhile, all atherosclerotic parameters increased. Multivariate regression analysis showed that TG, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C levels, and ln(HOMA-IR) were related to IMT, hence were risk factors for IMT increase. Conclusion Insulin resistance is implicated in atherogenesis.

CAROTID INTIMA- MEDIA THICKNESS AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN THE ELDERLY

To investigate the association of carotid arterial intima- media thickness (IMT) with principal cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. Methods. Carotid arterial IMT was measured by high resolution B mode ultrasound in 94 elderly subjects (old- aged group), and compared with subjects aged Results. In comparison with the middle- aged group, the prevalence of coronary heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus was significantly higher, and serum cholesterol and systolic blood pressure were also significantly higher in old- aged group. Although there was no obvious difference in IMT between the two groups, carotid plaque and carotid wall thickening were more frequently found in old- aged group. Age, systolic blood pressure and serum cholesterol were shown as the independent determinants for carotid IMT in the total participants, whereas no such independent relation was found in old- aged group. Conclusion. Age is the major risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis in the elderly. In other words, the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis is the result of advancing age combined with the effect of multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Clinical observation of Furongtongmai capsule on the lower extremity Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease after Intervention Operation

Objective To investigate the effect of Furongtongmai capsule on the in-stent restenosis （ISR） of superficial femoral artery after interventional operation in lower extremity Arteriosclerosis Occlusion （ASO）. Methods： A total of 110 inpatients with ASO who performed Superficial femoral artery stent implantation were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 55 cases in each group.Both groups received Aspirin 100 mg/d and Clopidogrel 75 mg/d. The observation group was given Furongtongmai capsule on the basis of routine treatment. After continuous treatment for 6 months, the clinical efficacy, Ankle Brachial Index （ABI）, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （Hs-CPR） and ISR were compared between the two groups. Results： At 6 months after operation, the plasma levels of Hs-CRP in the two groups were significantly lower than those in the control group （P 〈 0.05）. The ABI of treatment group was significantly higher than the control group （P 〈 0.05）. There was a statistically significant difference in ISR incidence between the treatment group and the control group 6 months after surgery （9.09% vs 27.78%, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Furongtongmai Capsule can inhibit Hs-CRP in patients with ASO after femoral artery intervention, improve the ankle brachial index and reduce the incidence of ISR.

Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease As a Rare Complication of Crohn’s Disease

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment strategy of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods Clinical information of 9 cases suffering from lower extremity arterial occlusion and CD was investigated retrospectively. Results All the cases were less than 50 years old and the most were females (8/9). Arterial occlusions occurred in either active (5/9) or inactive (4/9) stage of CD. Besides the arteries of lower extremities, other arteries could also be involved such as aorta, iliac artery, renal artery or mesentery artery. Seven cases had atherosclerotic imaging findings (4 had aortic plaques and 6 had iliac artery stenoses). Embolectomy or thromboendarterectomy were mostly performed. Four (44.4%) cases had recurrent lower limb ischemia. Conclusions Arterial occlusive disease is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of CD. A thorough inspection of aorta is necessary. Embolectomy is mostly preferred. Anticoagulation treatment is highly recommended after the operation.

Clinical implications of increased expression of CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes

To investigate clinical implications of expression of CD40L in monocytes and changes in serum soluble CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) Methods Sixteen control and 56 patients, including 24 with stable angina (SA), 20 with unstable angina (UA) and 12 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) enrolled in this study Expression of CD40L in monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry and sCD40L levels were measured by ELISA Results Expression of CD40L in monocytes and serum levels of sCD40L in UA and AMI patients were higher than in SA patients and controls In patients with AMI, sCD40L levels showed no significant increase when compared to patients with UA, while AMI patients had a peak level of sCD40L at 24 hours after AMI PTCA induced a marked rise in sCD40L levels in all patients, while CD40L expression in monocytes showed no difference between patients with PTCA, before and after Conclusion Enhanced level of serum sCD40L may be a reliable prognostic indicator for ACS and may represent a marker of coronary disease activity