Abstract
Background: Carotid atherosclerotic disease is associated with aortic stenosis and reduced cardiac function. The causality between carotid and cardiac pathologies is unknown. We aim to explore the effects of carotid stenosis or occlusion on cardiac pathology and function.Methods and Results: We produced carotid obstruction or stenosis in 36 atherogenic mice with 150- or 300-μm tandem surgery or sham surgery. The structure and function of the heart were assessed by histology and animal ultrasound. The 150-μm group had larger plaque burden and thicker valve leaflets in the aortic root than did the control group. Also, the two surgery groups had a thicker left ventricular posterior wall and smaller internal diameter compared with controls. Increased myocardial fibrosis was also found in the 150-μm group compared with controls, although the surgery groups had preserved systolic function compared with that of controls.Conclusions: In a mouse model, carotid occlusion accentuated the formation of aortic stenosis and promoted ventricular remodeling without impairing systolic function. Carotid atherosclerotic plaque may be a pathogenic factor for aortic stenosis and ventricular remodeling.
Highlights
Carotid atherosclerotic disease is associated with cardiac disease
We evaluated the effect of carotid stenosis on aortic stenosis and cardiac function in mouse models of carotid stenosis
The mice were randomized into three equal groups: 12 received 150μm tandem surgery (TS) on the right common carotid artery; 12 received 300-μm TS in the same location; and 12 had sham operation, in which the common carotid artery was exposed without ligation
Summary
Carotid atherosclerotic disease is associated with cardiac disease. Hedberg et al (2014) found that left ventricular systolic dysfunction was present significantly more often in patients with mild or severe carotid stenotic disease than in control subjects. Another study (Chahal et al, 2010) found that patients with multiple carotid plaques had decreased left ventricular ejection fractions, whereas patients who had only increased intima-media thickness did not, a result that may indicate that the severity of carotid stenosis affected cardiac function in a direct relationship. The cause–effect relationship between carotid stenosis and cardiac pathology is not known. Carotid atherosclerotic disease is associated with aortic stenosis and reduced cardiac function. We aim to explore the effects of carotid stenosis or occlusion on cardiac pathology and function
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