Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic

Objective: To establish reference values for carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) of adult dwellers in Shenzhen City. Methods: The study was conducted based on the Shenzhen heart failure epidemiological survey from 2021 to 2022. In this survey, residents aged 18 years and above in Shenzhen were selected by using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. General information, cardiovascular disease (CVD) related behavior and carotid ultrasound examination and etc. were collected from the participants. People with CVD factors, a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, carotid plaque or having no carotid ultrasound examination results were excluded. The parameter regression model based on fractional polynomial was used to establish the reference values of CIMT by age and sex. Results: A total of 2 163 healthy individuals were enrolled in the final analysis, including 576 males (26.6%) and 1 587 females (73.4%). The fractional polynomial regression of the CIMT mean and standard deviation was obtained. For men, the regression was mean_CIMT=0.324 7+0.006 9×age and SD_CIMT=0.076 9+0.001 2×age. For women, the regression was mean_CIMT=0.354 9+0.005 4×age and SD_CIMT=0.041 6+0.002 0×age. Conclusion: The age and sex reference values for CIMT of adult people in Shenzhen established in this study could provide the latest reference standards for early screening of subclinical CVD.
Male ; Humans ; Adult ; Female ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Reference Values ; Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography, Carotid Arteries ; Risk Factors ; Carotid Artery Diseases

Aneurysm, False ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Paracentesis ; Peritonsillar Abscess

Objective: To observe the effect of lipid regulating therapy on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic patients. Methods: The REACH study, conducted between March 2009 and February 2012, enrolled asymptomatic patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed carotid atherosclerotic plaque, who had never taken lipid-lowering drugs. Patients were treated with a moderate dose of rosuvastatin for 24 months. Blood lipid levels were measured and carotid MRI was performed at baseline, 3 and 24 months after treatment. The volume of carotid wall and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) were measured by image analysis software. This study retrospectively analyzed patients in the REACH study. Patients were divided into diabetes group and non-diabetic group. The changes of blood lipid level and MRI parameters of carotid atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups and their correlation was analyzed. Results: A total of 38 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque were included in this study, including 13 patients (34.2%) in the diabetic group and 25 patients (65.8%) in the non-diabetic group. Baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups, except higher HbA1c level in diabetes group (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly decreased at 3 and 24 months in both two groups (P<0.05). The change of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in diabetes group was not obvious, while it was significantly increased in non-diabetic group at 24 months ((1.38±0.33) mmol/l vs. (1.26±0.26) mmol/l, P<0.05). MRI results showed that the volume and percentage of LRNC remained unchanged at 3 months, slightly decreased at 24 months (64.86 (45.37, 134.56) mm³ vs. 75.76 (48.20, 115.64) mm³, P>0.05) and (15.84% (11.47%, 24.85%) vs. 16.95% (11.64%, 22.91%), P>0.05) in diabetic group. In non-diabetic group, the volume and percentage of LRNC were significantly decreased at 3 months (63.01 (44.25, 188.64) mm³ vs. 72.49 (51.91, 199.59) mm³, P<0.05) and (13.76% (8.81%, 27.64%) vs. 16.04% (11.18%, 27.05%), P<0.05) respectively. Both parameters further decreased to (55.63 (27.18, 179.40) mm³) and (12.71% (8.39%, 24.41%)) at 24 months (both P<0.05). Wall volume, lumen volume and percent wall volume (PWV) were not affected post therapy in both two groups(P>0.05). There were no correlations between the changes of plaque parameters including volume and percentage of LRNC, wall volume, lumen volume, PWV and the changes of blood lipid parameters (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG) in 3 and 24 months (P>0.05). Conclusion: Lipid-lowering therapy possesses different effects on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, and the LRNC improvement is more significant in non-diabetic patients as compared to diabetic patients.
Carotid Arteries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Diseases/drug therapy* ; Cholesterol, HDL/therapeutic use* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Necrosis/pathology* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rosuvastatin Calcium/therapeutic use*

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) activates inflammatory cascades by activating the NF-κB pathway. The minor allele of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in breast cancer suppressor BRCA1-associated protein (BRAP), which has a common etiology with HTLV-1 infection, has been reported to be positively associated with carotid atherosclerosis, but inversely associated with hypertension. Therefore, HTLV-1 infection may be inversely associated with hypertension by activating endothelial maintenance, including atherosclerosis. To clarify these associations, a cross-sectional study was conducted using 2989 Japanese individuals aged 60-99 years participating in a general health check-up. METHODS: Logistic regression models were used to clarify the association between HTLV-1 and hypertension. Platelet levels stratified analyses were also performed since platelet production, which plays a crucial role in endothelium maintenance, can be stimulated by activating the NF-κB pathway. RESULTS: HTLV-1 infection was found to be significantly inversely associated with hypertension, particularly in subjects with high platelet levels (≥ second tertiles of platelet levels); the fully adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 0.75 (0.62, 0.92) for total and 0.64 (0.50, 0.82) for high platelet levels, respectively. Further analysis of the non-hypertensive subjects demonstrated that HTLV-1 infection was significantly positively associated with atherosclerosis in subjects with the highest tertile of platelet levels (2.11 [1.15, 3.86]) but not in subjects with low platelet levels (first and second tertiles of platelet level) (0.89 [0.57, 1.39]). CONCLUSION Asymptomatic HTLV-1 infection is inversely associated with hypertension, possibly by activating endothelial maintenance, including atherosclerosis progression.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carotid Artery Diseases/virology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; HTLV-I Infections/complications* ; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1/physiology* ; Humans ; Hypertension/virology* ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged

Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, Internal/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Xanthomatosis

INTRODUCTION: Persistent carotid-basilar anastomoses are potentially clinically relevant anomalies of the intracranial vasculature. The trigeminal artery is the largest and persists for the longest embryonic period among the anastomoses. The increasing use of arteriographic procedures has augmented its incidence to 0.1-1%. This is a case of a 39-yearold male who presented with acute occipital lobe infarct after sustaining a traumatic right carotid dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old male was brought in to the emergency room after a 200-kilogram sack fell on his upper back. He landed on his chest with his head rotated to the right and sustained multiple lacerations on his face and chest. There were noted acute bilateral loss of vision, lethargy and unsteady gait. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed neither infarct nor hemorrhage. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed an acute occipital lobe infarct. The patient was started on antiplatelet. Further workup revealed a totally occluded right common carotid artery upon carotid duplex. His vision improved to be able to perceive light and hand movement. Further workup was done as an outpatient. A week after hospital discharge, patient’s vision improved to left bilateral hemianopsia. His gait has improved and was able to walk with balance. A cerebral angiogram later revealed a large bilateral persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA). The right PPTA provided collateral flow to the right cerebral hemisphere. This primitive collateral vessel is believed to have served as a route for emboli to be thrown to the posterior circulation in the occipital lobe. CONSLUSION: The consideration of a persistent primitive carotid-basilar anastomoses may elucidate the physician when a gap between patient’s manifestation and imaging studies exist. The presence of persistent carotid-basilar anastomoses may herald other vascular anomalies, it may offer as alternative endovascular access, or may serve as access for emboli passage.
Carotid Artery Diseases ; Stroke ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Embolism ; Arteries ; Dissection

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences indicate that early rapid renal function decline is closely associated with the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease. We have investigated the association between carotid atherosclerosis and rapid renal function decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved renal function.METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter cohort, a total of 967 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and preserved renal function were followed for 6 years with serial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements. Common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and presence of carotid plaque were assessed at baseline. Rapid renal function decline was defined as an eGFR decline >3.3% per year.RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 6 years, 158 participants (16.3%) developed rapid renal function decline. While there was no difference in CIMT, the presence of carotid plaque in rapid decliners was significantly higher than in non-decliners (23.2% vs. 12.2%, P<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, presence of carotid plaque was an independent predictor of rapid renal function decline (odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.48 to 3.68; P<0.0001) after adjustment for established risk factors. The model including the carotid plaque had better performance for discrimination of rapid renal function decline than the model without carotid plaque (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.772 vs. 0.744, P=0.016).CONCLUSION: Close monitoring of renal function and early intensive management may be beneficial in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and carotid plaques.
Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and common carotid intima media thickness (IMT), carotid plaque, and extracranial carotid artery stenosis (ECAS). METHODS: A total of 3,237 participants aged ⪖ 40 years were recruited from Jidong community in 2013-2014. Participants were divided into five quintile groups based on their serum ALP levels. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed using ultrasound. Abnormal IMT, carotid plaque, and ECAS were defined as IMT > 0.9 mm, IMT > 1.5 mm, and ⪖ 50% stenosis in at least one extracranial carotid artery, respectively. RESULTS: Common carotid IMT values and the prevalence of carotid plaque increased across serum ALP quintiles. Higher ALP quintiles were correlated with an increased risk of abnormal IMT [fourth quintile: odds ratio (OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.82, P = 0.0135; fifth quintile: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.15-2.87, P = 0.0110] and ECAS compared to the lowest quintile (fifth quintile: OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.97, P = 0.0106). The association between ALP and prevalence of carotid plaque became insignificant after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION Serum ALP levels were independently associated with abnormal common carotid IMT and ECAS. These conclusions need to be further corroborated in future prospective cohort studies.
Adult ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of ghrelin on memory impairment in a rat model of vascular dementia induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. METHODS: Randomized controlled groups and the posttest design were used. We established the representative animal model of vascular dementia caused by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and administered 80 µg/kg ghrelin intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. First, behavioral studies were performed to evaluate spatial memory. Second, we used molecular biology techniques to determine whether ghrelin ameliorates the damage to the structure and function of the white matter and hippocampus, which are crucial to learning and memory. RESULTS: Ghrelin improved the spatial memory impairment in the Y-maze and Morris water maze test. In the white matter, demyelination and atrophy of the corpus callosum were significantly decreased in the ghrelin-treated group. In the hippocampus, ghrelin increased the length of hippocampal microvessels and reduced the microvessels pathology. Further, we confirmed angiogenesis enhancement through the fact that ghrelin treatment increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-related protein levels, which are the most powerful mediators of angiogenesis in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION: We found that ghrelin affected the damaged myelin sheaths and microvessels by increasing angiogenesis, which then led to neuroprotection and improved memory function. We suggest that further studies continue to accumulate evidence of the effect of ghrelin. Further, we believe that the development of therapeutic interventions that increase ghrelin may contribute to memory improvement in patients with vascular dementia.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Corpus Callosum ; Dementia ; Dementia, Vascular ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Ghrelin ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Learning ; Memory Disorders ; Memory ; Microvessels ; Models, Animal ; Molecular Biology ; Myelin Sheath ; Neuroprotection ; Pathology ; Rats ; Spatial Memory ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Water ; White Matter