Carotid Artery Plaque In Patients Research Articles

Clinical risk factors and features on computed tomography angiography in high-risk carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes.

High-risk carotid artery plaque (HPR) is associated with a markedly increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aims of this study were: 1) to examine the prevalence of HRP in a cohort of asymptomatic adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D); 2) to investigate the relationship between HRP, established cardiovascular risk factors and computed tomography angiography (CTA) profile; and 3) to assess whether the presence of HRP is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This was a retrospective cohort study of T2D asymptomatic patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) from January 2018 to July 2021. The carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) was assessed for the presence of ulceration, the presence of lipids, fibrosis, thrombotic deposits, hemorrhage, neovascularization, and inflammation. A CAP presenting at least five of these histological features was defined as a HRP (Group A); in all other cases it was defined as a mild to moderate heterogeneous plaque and no-HRP (Group B). CTA features included the presence of rim sign consisting of thin peripheral adventitial calcification (<2 mm) and internal soft plaque (≥2 mm), NASCET percent diameter stenosis, maximum plaque thickness, ulceration, calcification, and intraluminal thrombus were recorded. Binary logistic regression with Uni- and Multivariate was used to evaluate possible predictors for HRP while multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards was used to assess independent predictors for MACE. One hundred eighty-five asymptomatic patients (mean age 73±8 years, 131 men), undergoing carotid endarterectomy, were included. Of these, 124 (67%) had HRP, and the 61 (33%) did not. Diabetic complications (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1-5.1, P=0.01), NASCET stenosis ≥75% (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-3.7, P=0.02) and carotid RIM sign (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 3.9-7.3, P<0.001) were independently associated with HRP. However, HRP was not associated with a higher risk of MACE (freedom from MACE at 5 years: HRP 83.4% vs. non HRP 87.8%, P=0.72) or a reduction of survival (5-year survival estimates: HRP 96.4% vs. non HRP: 94.6%, P=0.76). A high prevalence of HRP (67%) was observed in asymptomatic and elderly T2D patients. Independent predictors of HRP were diabetic complications, NASCET stenosis ≥75% and carotid RIM sign (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 3.9-7.3, P<0.001). HRP was not associated with an increased risk of MACE during a mean follow-up of 39±24 years.

Coronary Artery and Carotid Artery Plaques in Patients With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

BackgroundLittle is known regarding the formation of coronary and carotid plaques and their impact on cardiovascular disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine: 1) if the development of coronary and carotid plaques is correlated; and 2) if these plaques are associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as cardiovascular-related death, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or staged revascularization. MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 622 patients with heterozygous FH (HeFH) at Kanazawa University Hospital, assessed coronary and carotid plaque scores using coronary computed tomography and carotid ultrasound within 1 year. Spearman correlation coefficients were assessed among variables. Risk factors for MACEs were determined using the Cox proportional hazard model. ResultsCoronary and carotid plaque scores were significantly correlated in patients with HeFH in both sexes (Spearman’s r = 0.82; P < 0.001 in males and Spearman’s r = 0.87; P < 0.001 in females). We observed 132 MACEs during the median follow-up of 13.2 years. These scores were significantly associated with the occurrence of MACE (HR: 3.33; 95% CI: 1.88-4.78; P < 0.001, HR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.28-3.20; P < 0.001, respectively). ConclusionsCoronary and carotid plaque scores were significantly correlated, and both were independently associated with MACEs. The assessments for coronary and/or carotid plaque are useful for further risk stratifications in patients with HeFH.

The Association Between Hemoglobin Glycation Index and Carotid Artery Plaque in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

This study aimed to examine the association between the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) and carotid artery plaque (CAP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 10,778 patients with CHD. The participants were divided into three groups by HGI tertiles (T1 HGI<-0.44, T2 -0.44 ≤ HGI ≤ 0.15, T3 HGI>0.15). The presence of CAP was used to diagnose by carotid ultrasonography. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between the HGI and CAP. The association between HGI and CAP was also assessed according to sex, age, smoking status, and drinking status. We further assessed the association between HGI and the ultrasound characteristics of CAP. The baseline analysis showed substantial differences in relevant parameters between the three groups of patients with CHD according to the tertiles of the HGI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HGI was significantly associated with CAP (odds ratio [OR] 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.39). The association between HGI and CAP exists among different sex, age, smoking, and drinking status. Furthermore, there was a significant and positive association between HGI and all four different echogenicities of the CAP.

Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and carotid artery plaques in patients with coronary heart disease in different glucose metabolism states: an RCSCD-TCM study in Tianjin, China.

The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is considered a powerful biomarker of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis (AS). However, limited evidence is available regarding the relationship between the AIP and carotid artery plaques (CAPs) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). This retrospective study included 9281 patients with CHD who underwent carotid ultrasound. Participants were divided according to the AIP tertiles: T1, AIP < 1.02; T2, 1.02 ≤ AIP < 1.25; and T3, AIP ≥ 1.25. The presence or absence of CAPs was assessed using carotid ultrasound. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the AIP and CAPs in patients with CHD. The relationship between the AIP and CAPs was assessed according to sex, age, and glucose metabolic status. The baseline characteristics revealed significant differences in related parameters among patients with CHD after stratification into the three groups according to the AIP tertiles. Compared with T1, the odds ratio (OR) of T3 in patients with CHD was 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.35-1.74). The association between AIP and CAPs was higher in females (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.38-1.92) than in males (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.12-1.70). The OR for patients aged ≤60 years (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.14-1.71) was lower than that for patients aged >60 years (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.26-1.76). AIP was significantly associated with the risk of CAPs formation in different glucose metabolic states, with diabetes having the highest OR value (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.19-1.43). The AIP and CAPs were significantly associated in patients with CHD, and the association was higher in female than in male patients. The association was lower in patients aged ≤60 years than in patients aged >60 years. Under different glucose metabolism statuses, the association between the AIP and the CAPs among patients with CHD was highest in patients with diabetes.

Association of HbA1c with carotid artery plaques in patients with coronary heart disease: a retrospective clinical study

Background and aims Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels have been shown to be related to carotid artery plaques. However, studies on the relationship between HbA1c levels and carotid artery plaques in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are limited and inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the correlation between HbA1c levels and carotid artery plaques in patients with CHD. Methods The study comprised 9275 Chinese adults with CHD from January 1, 2014, to September 30, 2020. HbA1c levels were assessed, and colour Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate the carotid artery, including plaque presence, intima-media thickness, and plaque echo properties, to investigate the association between HbA1c and carotid plaque. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between carotid artery plaques, carotid plaque echogenicity, and HbA1c. Results The HbA1c level of the plaque-present group was higher than that of the plaque-absent group [6.1 (5.6–7.2) vs. 5.8 (5.5–6.5), p < 0.001]. In multiple linear regression analysis, intima-media thickness was associated with HbA1c (p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that a higher HbA1c level was associated with plaque incidence as well as hyperechoic and heterogeneous plaques (p < 0.001). These associations persist after adjusting for age, sex, blood pressure, lipid profiles, alcohol consumption, and tobacco exposure. Conclusion HbA1c levels are notably associated with carotid artery plaque incidence, intima-media thickness, and plaque echogenicity in patients with CHD. These findings show that different levels of HbA1c may be an indicator for carotid artery plaques and thus, should be observed in patients with CHD.

Large but Nonstenotic Carotid Artery Plaque in Patients With a History of Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source.

Background and Purpose- This study's objective is to determine if nonstenotic carotid plaque of <50% luminal narrowing predominantly develops ipsilateral rather than contralateral to the stroke site. Methods- This was a cross-sectional observational study. We identified consecutive patients with anterior circulation embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), excluding stroke in multiple vascular territories. Using ultrasonography, we measured the internal carotid plaque size and stenosis for each patient. We dichotomized the plaque size at several predefined thresholds and calculated the frequency of the plaque size and morphology above each threshold ipsilateral versus contralateral to the stroke site. Results- We included 53 patients with unilateral anterior circulation ESUS. Initially, we found that plaque with a thickness ≥1.5 mm was present ipsilateral to the stroke site in 59% of the patients, and present contralateral to the stroke site in 42% of the patients (31/53 versus 22/53 patients; P=0.049). Plaque with low echo likewise had a similar prevalence when present ipsilateral (9%) and contralateral (4%) to the stroke site (5/53 versus 2/53; P=0.25). Conclusions- Internal carotid artery plaque with a thickness ≥1.5 mm but that is nonstenotic (<50%) is considerably more common when ipsilateral to the ESUS site than when contralateral to the ESUS site, especially in plaque with a thickness ≥2.6 mm. Large but nonstenotic carotid artery plaque is associated with anterior circulation ESUS.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is Associated with Carotid Artery Plaques in Patients with Premature Coronary Heart Disease.

In subjects without a history of coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with carotid artery plaques (CAP), which is a better marker than high carotid intima-media thickness (hCIMT) for predicting first or recurrent cardiovascular events. The objective of this study is to analyze the association of T2DM with CAP and hCIMT in premature CHD patients. Premature CHD was considered before the age of 55 years in men and before 65 in women. T2DM was defined according to the American Diabetes Association criteria. CAP was defined as a focal structure encroaching the arterial lumen by at least 50% of the surrounding IMT value or with a thickness > 1.5 mm. Among 1196 patients (CHD duration 1.5 years [interquartile range: 0.4-5.6]), 37.2% had T2DM, and 97.8% were on antihypertensive, 94.4% on lipid-lowering, and 97.3% on anti-aggregate treatment. hCIMT prevalence was similar in patients with or without T2DM, whereas CAP prevalence was higher among T2DM patients (17.7% vs. 30.9%; p < 0.001). T2DM showed association with CAP, independently of CHD evolution and glycemic control (odds ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.26). T2DM has an independent association with CAP. Early detection of recurrent cardiovascular events, with CAP identification, could be useful to prevent complications in patients with CHD.

Effect of atorvastatin calcium on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of atorvastatin calcium on carotid artery plaque in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods From January 2016 to September 2017, 100 patients with cerebral infarction in the Second People's Hospital of Yuyao were selected.According to random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated by intravenous injection of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection.The observation group was treated by intravenous injection of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection combined wth atorvastatin calcium therapy.The clinical effects and changes of blood indicators were compared between the two groups. Results Before treatment, the IMT thickness, plaque thickness, blood flow velocity, TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index, erythrocyte volume, fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) between the two groups had no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). After treatment, the IMT thickness, plaque thickness, blood flow velocity, TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation index and hematocrit, fibrinogen, ESR and total effective rate in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant( t=5.012, 6.225, 8.147, 6.225, 5.110, 6.021, 5.002, 5.012, 6.002, 5.102, 5.042, 6.053, χ2=8.125, all P<0.05). Conclusion Atorvastatin calcium tablets combined with intravenous injection of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole in the treatment of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction can effectively improve blood rheological parameters and blood lipid parameters, and the treatment effect is better than ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole. Key words: Cerebral infarction; Arteviosclerosis; Carotid artevies; Atto vastatin calcium

Efficacy of ezetimibe combined with atorvastatin in the treatment of carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ezetimibe combined with atorvastatin in treatment of carotid artery plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with coronary heart disease (CHD). A total of 100 patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) confirmed by ultrasound and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CHD were randomly assigned to atorvastatin group (atorvastatin 20 mg/day) or combined treatment group (ezetimibe 10 mg/day and atorvastatin 20 mg/day). All those patients were followed for 12 months. Serum lipid, ALT, AST, and CK were measured before and after treatment. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate the stability of carotid artery plaques. After 12 months of treatment, the level of TC, TG, LDL-C, hs-CRP, FPG and HbA1c decreased in both groups compared with before treatment. TC, TG, LDL-C and hs-CRP in the combined treatment group were much lower than that in the atorvastatin group (P<0.05). The IMT and plaque area in the two groups were lower than that before the treatment (P<0.05). IMT and plaques area in the combined treatment group is much lower than that in the atorvastatin group after treatment. There was no significant difference in two groups on the level of ALT, AST, CK compared with baseline after treatment. The effect of combined use of atorvastatin and ezetimibe was better than atorvastatin alone, which can effectively reduce the blood lipid levels in diabetic patients with CHD and improve plaque stability. Both treatment regimens were safe and well tolerated.

Magnetic resonance angiography detection of abnormal carotid artery plaque in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaque can aid in stroke risk stratification in patients with carotid stenosis. However, the prevalence of complicated carotid plaque in patients with cryptogenic stroke is uncertain, especially as assessed by plaque imaging techniques routinely included in acute stroke magnetic resonance imaging protocols. We assessed whether the magnetic resonance angiography–defined presence of intraplaque high-intensity signal (IHIS), a marker of intraplaque hemorrhage, is associated with ipsilateral cryptogenic stroke.Methods and ResultsCryptogenic stroke patients with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of unilateral anterior circulation infarction and without hemodynamically significant (≥50%) stenosis of the cervical carotid artery were identified from a prospective stroke registry at a tertiary-care hospital. High-risk plaque was assessed by evaluating for IHIS on routine magnetic resonance angiography source images using a validated technique. To compare the presence of IHIS on the ipsilateral versus contralateral side within individual patients, we used McNemar’s test for correlated proportions. A total of 54 carotid arteries in 27 unique patients were included. A total of 6 patients (22.2%) had IHIS-positive nonstenosing carotid plaque ipsilateral to the side of ischemic stroke compared to 0 patients who had IHIS-positive carotid plaques contralateral to the side of stroke (P=0.01). Stroke severity measures, diagnostic evaluations, and prevalence of vascular risk factors were not different between the IHIS-positive and IHIS-negative groups.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a proportion of strokes classified as cryptogenic may be mechanistically related to complicated, nonhemodynamically significant cervical carotid artery plaque that can easily be detected by routine magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography acute stroke protocols.

Study on the correlation between serum interleukin-6, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and stability of carotid artery plaque in patients of acute coronary syndrome complicated with diabetes mellitus

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum interleukin-6,matrix metallo-proteinase-9 and stability of carotid artery plaque in patients of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) complicated with diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods 104 cases of ACS complicated with DM were selected,then according to the results of the ultrasound measurement of bilateral carotid artery,they were divided into intima-media thickness (IMT) normal group (20 cases),IMT thickening group (36 cases),stable plaque group (30 cases),and unstable plaque group (18 cases).Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The levels of plasma IL-6 and MMP-9 in IMT normal group,IMT thickening group,stable plaque group and unstable plaque group were higher than those in control group [(295.3 ± 43.8),(369.5 ± 46.2),(446.2±44.7),(533.6 ±48.1) ng/L vs.(216.7 ±39.8) ng/L and (172.3 ±24.6),(228.6 ±26.2),(287.4±30.1),(372.8 ±31.5) μg/L vs.(98.7 ±20.7) μg/L],and there were significant differences (P ＜ 0.05 for all) ; In IMT normal group,IMT thickening group,stable plaque group and unstable plaque group,the levels of plasma IL-6 and MMP-9 gradually increased,and the differences among the groups were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05 for all).Conclusion There is a significant correlation between serum IL-6,MMP-9 levels and carotid plaque stability in patients of ACS complicated with diabetes mellitus,which can provide some indicative effect for the occurrence and development of vascular disease. Key words: Acute coronary syndrome; Diabetes mellitus; Interleukin-6; Matrix metalloproteinase-9; Carotid artery plaque

Adiponectin and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

In the present study, we examined the potential impact of adiponectin on carotid ultrasound determined atherosclerosis in 210 (119 black and 91 white) RA patients in mixed regression models. Total adiponectin concentrations were smaller in patients with compared to those without the metabolic syndrome (MetS) defined waist criterion (median (range) = 6.47 (1.23–34.54) versus 8.38 (0.82–85.30) ng/mL, P = 0.02, resp.); both total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations were larger in patients with compared to those without joint deformities (7.97 (0.82–85.30) and 3.51 (0.01–35.40) versus 5.36 (1.29–19.49) and 2.34 (0.01–19.49) ng/mL, P = 0.003 and 0.02, resp.). Total and HMW adiponectin concentrations were associated with carotid artery plaque in patients with MetS waist (odds ratio (95% CI) = 0.87 (0.76–0.99) and 0.92 (0.85–0.99) per 1-standard deviation increment, P = 0.02 for both) and those without joint deformities (odds ratio (95% CI) = 0.94 (0.88–0.99) and 0.94 (0.89–0.99), P = 0.03 for both). Plaque prevalence was lower in patients without compared to those with joint deformities (23.4% versus 42.6, P = 0.004 in multivariable analysis). In RA patients with abdominal obesity or no clinically evident joint damage, adiponectin concentrations are reduced but nevertheless associated with decreased carotid atherosclerosis.

The carotid plaque imaging in acute stroke (CAPIAS) study: protocol and initial baseline data

BackgroundIn up to 30% of patients with ischemic stroke no definite etiology can be established. A significant proportion of cryptogenic stroke cases may be due to non-stenosing atherosclerotic plaques or low grade carotid artery stenosis not fulfilling common criteria for atherothrombotic stroke. The aim of the CAPIAS study is to determine the frequency, characteristics, clinical and radiological long-term consequences of ipsilateral complicated American Heart Association lesion type VI (AHA-LT VI) carotid artery plaques in patients with cryptogenic stroke.Methods/Design300 patients (age >49 years) with unilateral DWI-positive lesions in the anterior circulation and non- or moderately stenosing (<70% NASCET) internal carotid artery plaques will be enrolled in the prospective multicenter study CAPIAS. Carotid plaque characteristics will be determined by high-resolution black-blood carotid MRI at baseline and 12 month follow up. Primary outcome is the prevalence of complicated AHA-LT VI plaques in cryptogenic stroke patients ipsilateral to the ischemic stroke compared to the contralateral side and to patients with defined stroke etiology. Secondary outcomes include the association of AHA-LT VI plaques with the recurrence rates of ischemic events up to 36 months, rates of new ischemic lesions on cerebral MRI (including clinically silent lesions) after 12 months and the influence of specific AHA-LT VI plaque features on the progression of atherosclerotic disease burden, on specific infarct patterns, biomarkers and aortic arch plaques.DiscussionCAPIAS will provide important insights into the role of non-stenosing carotid artery plaques in cryptogenic stroke. The results might have implications for our understanding of stroke mechanism, offer new diagnostic options and provide the basis for the planning of targeted interventional studies.Trial RegistrationNCT01284933

The C609T variant of NQO1 is associated with carotid artery plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective Atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes has been linked to oxidative stress. NADP[1]:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a key role in cellular antioxidant defense. Recent reports suggest that highly expressed and inducible endogenous NQO1 from cardiovascular cells may act as a potential superoxide scavenger. We examined the relationship between the risk of NQO1 C609T polymorphism and carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods We recruited 601 (Seoul set) and 233 (Koyang set) unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes from independent groups. The C609T variant of NQO1 was genotyped by Taqman RT-PCR. Mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery plaques were measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. Results Patients with the T allele exhibited a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques than non-T allele carriers in both sets (Seoul set vs. Koyang set, p = 0.021, p = 0.023, respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, current smoking, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HbA1c, subjects with the T allele had a significantly higher risk of carotid artery plaques (Seoul set vs. Koyang set, OR = 1.65, p = 0.015; OR = 2.00, p = 0.037, respectively) than subjects with the CC genotype. Conclusion These results suggest that the C609T polymorphism of NQO1 is associated with carotid artery plaques in type 2 diabetic patients.

Adiponectin gene polymorphism 45T>G is associated with carotid artery plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adiponectin has been reported to have a wide range of antiatherogenic actions. Two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the adiponectin locus (45T>G and 276G>T) have been reported to be associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the association between common polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene ( ACDC) and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 708 unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited. SNP45 and SNP276 ACDC were genotyped, and B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries was performed to measure carotid intima-media thickness and assess the presence of carotid artery plaques (CAP). Although there was no significant difference in carotid intima-media thickness according to ACDC genotype, subjects carrying the SNP45 GG genotype had a significantly higher risk of having CAP (odds ratio, 2.468; P = .045) compared with carriers of the T allele after adjustment for possible confounding factors. This study suggests that the GG genotype at ACDC SNP45 is associated with the presence of CAP and may contribute to atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus.