Association between Lp-PLA2 and carotid atherosclerosis and transient ischemic attack of internal carotid artery system

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and carotid artery ultra sound for transient ischemic attack (TIA) . Methods Ninety patients with TIA of internal carotid artery system in the acute phase and 55 normal control subjects were recruited. Their carotid intima-media thicknesses were assessed by carotid ultrasonography. Serum Lp-PLA2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA) ,and all the data were compared between the two group. Results The detection rate of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the TIA group was significantly higher than that in the control group f 78. 9% (71/90) vs. 29. 1% (16/55), x2 = 35. 27, P < 0.01] . There were 35 carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the control group,of which 6 were unstable plaques and 29 were stable plaques. There were 134 carotid atherosclerotic plaque in the TIA group,of which 103 were unstable plaques and 31 were stable plaques, the constituent ratio of unstable plaque in the TIA group was significantly higher than that in the control group (x2 =43. 22 ,P < 0. 01). The levels of serum Lp-PLA2 in male and female patients in TIA group were ([19. 08 ±7. 92] mol/(min · ml) and [15. 15 ±4. 91] mol/(min · ml),which were significantly higher than those in male and female in the control group ([13. 86 ± 3. 15] mol/(min · ml) and [11. 18 ± 2. 96] mol/ (min · ml) (t = 3. 8598 and 2. 9260, respectively, Ps < 0. 01). Furthermore, the levels of serum Lp-PLA2 of males in the TIA group and control group were significantly higher than that of females in the TIA group and control group(t=2. 3850 and 2. 9143, respectively, Ps < 0.05). The level of serum Lp-PLA2 in unstable plaque patients in the TIA group was (20.16 ± 6. 76) mol/ (min · ml) , which was significantly higher than that in stable plaque patients in the TIA group was (16. 09 ±4. 15)mol/(min · ml) ,the difference was statistically significant (t = 2. 5578, P < 0. 05). Conclusion Serum Lp-PLA2 is a risk factor of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, the combination of Lp-PLA2 and carotid ultrosonography can be used and alert indicator of TIA. Key words: Transient ischemic attack; Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2; Carotid ultrosonography