This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of the enhancement degree on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) with the histopathology of carotid plaques and the serum high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CR...This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of the enhancement degree on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) with the histopathology of carotid plaques and the serum high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) levels in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy(CEA). Carotid CEUS was performed preoperatively in 115 patients who would undergo CEA, and the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was evaluated by both the visual semiquantitative analysis and the quantitative time-intensity curve analysis. Serum hs-CRP levels were detected using the particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay also before the operation. Additionally, the carotid plaque samples were subjected to histopathological examination postoperatively. The density of neovessels and the number of macrophages in the plaques were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that among the 115 patients, grade 0 plaque contrast enhancement was noted in 35 patients, grade 1 in 48 patients and grade 2 in 32 patients. The degree of plaque enhancement, the density of neovessels, the number of macrophages, and the hs-CRP levels were highest in the grade 2 patients. Correlation analysis showed that the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was closely related to the immunohistochemical parameters of the plaques and the serum hs-CRP levels. It was suggested that the carotid plaque enhancement on CEUS can be used to evaluate the vulnerability of carotid plaques.展开更多
The vasa vasorum of carotid artery plaque is a novel marker of accurately evaluating the vulnerability of carotid artery plaque, which was associated with symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The pr...The vasa vasorum of carotid artery plaque is a novel marker of accurately evaluating the vulnerability of carotid artery plaque, which was associated with symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The presence of ultrasound contrast agents in carotid artery plaque represents the presence of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque because the ultrasoundcontrast agents are strict intravascular tracers. Therefore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) is a novel and safe imaging modality for evaluating the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque. However, there are some issues that needs to be assessed to embody fully the clinical utility of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque with CEUS.展开更多
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 ...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.展开更多
目的探讨超声造影(contrast-enhancedultrasound,CEUS)评价颈动脉斑块易损性对脑卒中的预测价值。方法纳嘉兴市第一医院2020年5月至2022年5月收治的颈动脉斑块患者108例进行回顾性研究,均行CEUS检查,评估斑块易损性。根据患者是否发生...目的探讨超声造影(contrast-enhancedultrasound,CEUS)评价颈动脉斑块易损性对脑卒中的预测价值。方法纳嘉兴市第一医院2020年5月至2022年5月收治的颈动脉斑块患者108例进行回顾性研究,均行CEUS检查,评估斑块易损性。根据患者是否发生脑卒中,分成卒中组(n=51)、非卒中组(n=57),比较两组颈动脉斑块的CEUS特征,包括新生血管分级、灌注方向、主要增强部位。绘制受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析颈动脉斑块常规超声特征、CEUS特征对脑卒中的预测价值。结果卒中组平均斑块长度、厚度高于非卒中组,斑块狭窄程度≥50%、低回声为主的混合回声、斑块表面溃疡占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。卒中组0级、1级占比低于非卒中组,2级、3级占比高于非卒中组,且2级+3级总数占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。两组斑块内新生血管的灌注方向比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。卒中组斑块肩部增强占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。常规超声评估斑块易损预测脑卒中的曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)为0.612,敏感度为62.75%,特异性为59.65%。CEUS评估斑块易损预测脑卒中的AUC为0.788,敏感度为80.39%,特异性为77.19%。结论CEUS可以通过评估患者的颈动脉斑块易损情况,对脑卒中发生风险进行预测,敏感度与特异性较理想。展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China(No.LY13H180007)
文摘This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of the enhancement degree on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) with the histopathology of carotid plaques and the serum high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) levels in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy(CEA). Carotid CEUS was performed preoperatively in 115 patients who would undergo CEA, and the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was evaluated by both the visual semiquantitative analysis and the quantitative time-intensity curve analysis. Serum hs-CRP levels were detected using the particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay also before the operation. Additionally, the carotid plaque samples were subjected to histopathological examination postoperatively. The density of neovessels and the number of macrophages in the plaques were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that among the 115 patients, grade 0 plaque contrast enhancement was noted in 35 patients, grade 1 in 48 patients and grade 2 in 32 patients. The degree of plaque enhancement, the density of neovessels, the number of macrophages, and the hs-CRP levels were highest in the grade 2 patients. Correlation analysis showed that the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was closely related to the immunohistochemical parameters of the plaques and the serum hs-CRP levels. It was suggested that the carotid plaque enhancement on CEUS can be used to evaluate the vulnerability of carotid plaques.
文摘The vasa vasorum of carotid artery plaque is a novel marker of accurately evaluating the vulnerability of carotid artery plaque, which was associated with symptomatic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. The presence of ultrasound contrast agents in carotid artery plaque represents the presence of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque because the ultrasoundcontrast agents are strict intravascular tracers. Therefore, contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) is a novel and safe imaging modality for evaluating the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque. However, there are some issues that needs to be assessed to embody fully the clinical utility of the vasa vasorum in carotid artery plaque with CEUS.
基金Supported by Shanghai Jiading District Health and Family Planning Commission Health Planning Commission Scientific Research Project,No.KYXM,2015-KY-02
文摘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.
文摘目的探讨超声造影(contrast-enhancedultrasound,CEUS)评价颈动脉斑块易损性对脑卒中的预测价值。方法纳嘉兴市第一医院2020年5月至2022年5月收治的颈动脉斑块患者108例进行回顾性研究,均行CEUS检查,评估斑块易损性。根据患者是否发生脑卒中,分成卒中组(n=51)、非卒中组(n=57),比较两组颈动脉斑块的CEUS特征,包括新生血管分级、灌注方向、主要增强部位。绘制受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析颈动脉斑块常规超声特征、CEUS特征对脑卒中的预测价值。结果卒中组平均斑块长度、厚度高于非卒中组,斑块狭窄程度≥50%、低回声为主的混合回声、斑块表面溃疡占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。卒中组0级、1级占比低于非卒中组,2级、3级占比高于非卒中组,且2级+3级总数占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。两组斑块内新生血管的灌注方向比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。卒中组斑块肩部增强占比高于非卒中组(P<0.05)。常规超声评估斑块易损预测脑卒中的曲线下面积(area under curve,AUC)为0.612,敏感度为62.75%,特异性为59.65%。CEUS评估斑块易损预测脑卒中的AUC为0.788,敏感度为80.39%,特异性为77.19%。结论CEUS可以通过评估患者的颈动脉斑块易损情况,对脑卒中发生风险进行预测,敏感度与特异性较理想。
