OBJECTIVEThere is growing evidence indicating that reactions of inflammatory system play an important role in stroke and development of carotid plaques. It is purposed to understand the relationship between serum level of c-reactive protein (CPR) and size of cerebral infarction, carotid plaques and prognosis of ischemic stroke.

METHODSA total of 121 patients with ischemic stroke were included in the study. Serum level of CRP was measured within 72 hours after onset of index stroke. All patients were scored by CNDF based on deficit in their clinical neurological function, and examined with CT/MRI and carotid duplex ultrasound scanning.

RESULTSLeukocyte count and blood glucose level at admission were significantly higher in the group with abnormal serum level of CRP than those with normal one (P = 0.045 and P = 0.021, respectively). Incidence of territory infarction (42 cases, 61.76%) was also significantly higher than that of lacunar infarction (23 cases, 43.4%), with P = 0.044. Occurrence of carotid plaques was higher in the former (32 cases, 65.30%) than that in the latter (17 cases, 34.69%), with P = 0.035. CNFD scores were higher in the former (ranging 6 - 35, with a median of 18) than those in the latter (ranging 6 - 28, with a median of 11), with Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.0001. And, more severe prognosis was also found in the former than in the latter, with P = 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONSerum level of CRP was an important prognostic marker for carotid plaque and stroke.

Aged ; Arteriosclerosis ; complications ; Biomarkers ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; pathology

We report a case of ocular ischemic syndrome accompanied by neovascular glaucoma that was successfully treated with Bevacizumab. A 70-year-old male patient diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma of the left eye 3-4 years prior complained of continuous left eye pain and declining visual acuity despite receiving the latest treatment methods. At the time of admission the patient had no light perception in the left eye and his intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg. Anterior segment and fundus examinations revealed neovascularization of the iris and stenosis of the retinal vessel. Hypofluorescence of the choroid and retinal vessels was observed on fluorescence fundus angiography. Left internal carotid artery stenosis was observed on a brain MRI. Despite being treated with eye solution and oral medication, intraocular pressure was not controlled. After 7 days, we performed an intravitreal Bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05mL injection. One day after the intravitreal Bevacizumab injection, the neovascularization had nearly regressed and intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg. Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection produced regression of neovascularization and proved effective for treatment of neovascular glaucoma in this case of ocular ischemic syndrome.
Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Carotid Stenosis/*complications/diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eye/*blood supply ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Fundus Oculi ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/diagnosis/*drug therapy/etiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Ischemia/*complications/diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vitreous Body

We report a case of ocular ischemic syndrome accompanied by neovascular glaucoma that was successfully treated with Bevacizumab. A 70-year-old male patient diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma of the left eye 3-4 years prior complained of continuous left eye pain and declining visual acuity despite receiving the latest treatment methods. At the time of admission the patient had no light perception in the left eye and his intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg. Anterior segment and fundus examinations revealed neovascularization of the iris and stenosis of the retinal vessel. Hypofluorescence of the choroid and retinal vessels was observed on fluorescence fundus angiography. Left internal carotid artery stenosis was observed on a brain MRI. Despite being treated with eye solution and oral medication, intraocular pressure was not controlled. After 7 days, we performed an intravitreal Bevacizumab 1.25 mg/0.05mL injection. One day after the intravitreal Bevacizumab injection, the neovascularization had nearly regressed and intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg. Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection produced regression of neovascularization and proved effective for treatment of neovascular glaucoma in this case of ocular ischemic syndrome.
Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Carotid Stenosis/*complications/diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eye/*blood supply ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Fundus Oculi ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/diagnosis/*drug therapy/etiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Ischemia/*complications/diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vitreous Body

This study aimed to investigate prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) in Korean patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and identify predictive factors of ACAS in patients with PAD. Between 1994 and 2008, 546 patients who underwent bypass surgery due to PAD were identified in a single tertiary teaching hospital. Of those, 409 patients underwent preoperative screening carotid duplex ultrasonography (CDUS). Patients who had an episode of cerebrovascular event or previous carotid artery intervention were excluded and then a retrospective analysis was made of 340 patients. The degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis was determined by the criteria of Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Conference. To determine the risk factors of ACAS, demographic, coexisting medical condition and lesion characteristics were tested with binary logistic regression model. The prevalence of > or =70% ICA stenosis was 14%. ICA occlusion was detected in 7.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed age >65 yr (OR: 2.610, 95% CI: 1.197-5.691) and coronary artery disease (CAD, OR: 2.333, 95% CI: 1.169-4.657) are predictive factors of > or =70% stenosis. A PAD patient who needs revascularization, particularly, >65 yr or has a concomitant CAD, can be a good candidate of screening CDUS.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atherosclerosis/complications ; Carotid Stenosis/complications/epidemiology/*ultrasonography ; Chronic Disease ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia/complications ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/*complications/surgery ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; *Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex