ObjectiveTo observe the effects of endovascular radiation (ER) on the proliferation and apoptosis of medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to discuss the possible mechanisms of radiation in the prevention of vascular restenosis (RS) in rabbits after carotid endarterectomy (CEA).MethodsForty rabbits undergoing CEA were randomly divided into four groups (each group=10) and given a radiation dose of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Gy 32P respectively. Rabbits were killed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th and 56th day after operation. The specimens were collected and histopathologic examinations were done.ResultsProliferation apparently occurred in the intima and media of carotid the lumen became narrow in the control group on the 14 th, 28 th and 56 th day after operation. While in the radiation groups, proliferation was apparently suppressed and the lumen was much less narrowed (P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate of SMCs and PCNA positive cells increased on the 3rd day after operation and reached the peak on the 7th day. There was statistical difference between the ER groups and control group (P＜0.01). The effects were much more evident in 20 Gy and 40 Gy groups compared with 10 Gy group (P＜0.01).ConclusionER may prevent RS by suppressing SMC proliferation and migration as well as inducing SMC apoptosis. The effects are positively correlated with radiation doses. SMC proliferation and apoptosis occur in the early period after balloon injury, while hyperplasia of intima and medial happens later.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of carotid artery stenosisrelated ocular ischemic appearance(OIA).Methods The clinical data of 210 patients of carotid artery stenosis (81 of them with OIA) were retrospectively reviewed. They were diagnosed by color doppler image（CDI）or digital subtraction angiography (DSA),and had undergone medicine,carotid artery stenting (CAS)and carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Of 81 patients with OIA,49 patients (60.49%) with OIA only, 32 patients（39.51%）with ocular ischemic disease (OID).24/32 OID patients received ophthalmic treatment such as retinal laser photocoagulation and anti glaucoma therapy (drugs and cyclocryotherapy). Results The ocular manifestations of 81 OIA patients included transient amaurosis in 38 cases (47.14%),flash before the eye in 30 cases (36.67%), periorbital swelling and pain in 28 cases (34.57%), diplopia in 11 cases (13.58%) and vision loss in 9 cases (11.11%). The ocular manifestations of 32 OID patients included ischemic optic neuropathy in 9 cases (28.13%), ocular ischemic syndrome in 6 cases (18.75%), central or branch retinal artery occlusion in 6 cases (18.75%), retinal hemorrhage in 5 patients (15.62%)，extraocular muscle paralysis in 4 patients (12.50%) and neovascular glaucoma in 2 patients (6.25%). The higher the degree of carotid stenosis,the higher incidence of ocular ischemic disease,there was highly positive correlation between each other (R=0.837, P＜0.05).The total effective rate of carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy was significantly higher than drug treatment alone (t=2.73, 3.14; P＜0.01). Conclusion The ocular manifestations of carotid stenosis related ocular ischemic appearance can be transient amaurosis, eyes flashing,eye redness,periorbital pain, diplopia and decreased visual acuity.The ocular manifestations of carotid stenosisrelated ocular ischemic disease can be ischemic optic neuropathy, ocular ischemic symptoms, central or branch retinal artery occlusion and neovascular Carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy are more effective than drug treatment alone for those patients.
Objective To investigate the experience of selective embolization combined with intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt for surgical treatment of carotid body tumor （CBT）. Methods The data of 21 patients （22 sides） with CBT who underwent surgical resection from January 2002 to July 2012 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The all patients’ conditions were fully assessmented and all patients were performed the carotid arteriography and superselective embolization treatment for the blood supply of tumor by with microcatheter on 2-3 days before operation，and then intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt and resection of carotid body tumors were performed. Results Surgical procedures were successfully performeded in all 21 patients （22 sides）. Among them， 16 patients （17 sides） were taken carotid body tumor resected， 5 patients were taken carotid body tumor resected and internal carotid artery reconstruction （autogenous long saphenous vein were used in 3 patients， vascular prosthesis were used in 2 patients）. The postoperative complications were found in 5 patients after anesthesia recovery， which included crooked tongue in 3 cases and facial numbness in 2 cases， and they were cured in 3 months. There were no cerebral infarction， hemiplegia， and death cases. All 21 patients were followed-up for a period from 2 months to 9 years（average 57 months）， there was no tumor recurred. Conclusions Surgical resection is the first choice for treatment of carotid body tumor. The application of selective embolization and intraoperative internal carotid artery shunt for surgical treatment of carotid body tumor in complicated Shamblin Ⅲ stage is safe and effective.
Objective To assess the variation and its significance of messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in allografts of common carotid transplantation model in white rabbits. Methods To establish an animal model of common carotid transplantation in vivo, 30 rabbits were divided into four groups with random number table. Group A (n=3): autografts; group B (n=9): allografts with the least treated; group C (n=9): allografts treated by penicillin/streptomycin and preserved under room temperature; group D (n=9): allografts treated by penicillin/streptomycin and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. All the transplanted grafts were harvested 1-3 weeks later, then compared and evaluated the histomorphological variation and eNOS mRNA expression. Results The vascular structures of autografts in group A were kept approximately normal, only a few infiltration of inflammatory cells could be found. The structural variations of allografts in other trial groups behaved similarly as, intima proliferation in the 1st week, intima hyperplasia in the 2nd week, and both intima and media hypertrophy in the 3rd week. And also there seemed that luminal thrombosis could be found in all the allografts. Allografts in group B were destructed utmost the worst in all the groups. The expression of eNOS mRNA in allografts of group B was significantly less than that in other groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The down-regulation of eNOS mRNA expression might lead to intima hyperplasia and thrombosis of allografts.
ObjectiveTo observe ocular ischemic appearance (OIA) associated with carotid artery stenosis and its effects on the hemodynamics of central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA). MethodsA total of 30 normal persons and 60 patients with carotid artery stenosis diagnosed by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were enrolled in this prospective study.Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups:30 patients with the carotid artery stenosis degree < 60% and 30 cases with the carotid artery stenosis degree≥60%. Thirty normal persons were enrolled in the normal control group. All patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination to determine if OIA exists. The Doppler spectral patterns of CRA and OA were observed by CDFI. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), blood vessel diameter (BVD) and resistance index (RI) of CRA and OA were measured. ResultsIn the group of the carotid artery stenosis degree≥60%, 24/30 patients (80.0%) had the ophthalmic symptoms and 9/30 patients (30.0%) had ophthalmic signs. In the group of the carotid artery stenosis degree < 60%, 9/30 patients (30.0%) had the ophthalmic symptoms and 3/30 patients (10.0%) had ophthalmic signs. For patients with≥60% stenosis, CDFI revealed a bread-like waveform of CRA, and single peak of OA instead of the typical 3-peak/2-notch waveform. For patients with < 60% stenosis, CDFI revealed a normal pattern of CRA and OA (3-peak/2-notch). The PSV(t=5.255, P=0.007) and EDV(t=4.949, P=0.005) of CRA in the stenosis≥60% group were statistically decreased compared to the normal control group, but the BVD(t=0.457, P > 0.05)and RI(t=0.213, P > 0.05)were normal. The PSV, EDV, BVD and RI of CRA in the stenosis < 60% group were normal(P > 0.05). The PSV(t=4.457, P=0.010)and EDV(t=4.588, P=0.009)of CRA in the stenosis≥60% group were statistically decreased compared to the stenosis < 60% group, but the BVD and RI were the same between these 2 groups. ConclusionPatients with carotid stenosis≥60% had a higher OIA incidence, reduced PSV, EDV of their CRA, while had no significant changes of OA hemodynamics.
Objective To observe the choroidal blood flow and morphological changes in patients with severe stenosis of internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS). Methods A retrospective case-control study. Forty-six patients (46 eyes) with ICAS were enrolled in this study. There was severe stenosis in one side (the eyes in this side were set as case group) and mild or no stenosis in other side (the eyes in this side were set as control group). Color doppler ultrasound (CDI) was used to observe the changes of hemodynamic parameters of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and posterior ciliary artery (PCA), the main parameters of ultrasound Doppler imaging are peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance indices (RI) and the calculation of the pulsation indices (PI) through the use of a formula. Enhanced binarization of deep imaging coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) was used to measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). The total subfoveal choroidal area (TCA), luminal (LA), stromal (SA) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were obtained by modified image binarization technique. Results In the case group, the PSV in the OA and PCA was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=−2.200, −2.612; P=0.030, 0.011). There were no significant differences in EDV, RI, PI of OA (t=0.337, −1.810, −1.848; P=0.737, 0.074, 0.068) and PCA (t=−1.160, 1.400, 0.815; P=0.249, 0.165, 0.417). The SFCT (t=−3.711, P＜0.001), TCA (t=−2.736, P=0.007), LA (t=−3.188, P=0.002) and CVI (t=−2.096, P=0.039) of the case group was significantly lower than that of the control group. There were no significant differences in SA (t=−1.262, P=0.210) and LA/SA (t=−1.696, P=0.093). Conclusion In severe stenosis ICAS eyes, the PSV in the PCA and SFCT, TCA, LA, CVI are decreased.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interventional thrombolytic therapy for central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely.MethodsNine CRAO patients (9 eyes) were enrolled in this study, including 5 males and 4 females. The mean age was (45.2±18.1) years. The mean onset duration was 24 hours. There were 4 eyes with vision of no light perception, 3 eyes with light perception and 2 eyes with hand movement. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) examination showed that the retinal artery was filled with delayed fluorescence. The peak of fluorescence was seen in the anterior part of the artery, and some of the eyes showed retrograde filling. The arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct) was ≥35 s in 4 eyes, ≥35 s - ＜25 s in 5 eyes. The filling time of retinal artery and its branches (FT) was ≥15 s in 2 eyes, ≥12 s - ＜15 s in 3 eyes, ≥9 s - ＜12 s in 4 eyes. All the patients received the treatment of interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely (8 eyes) or external carotid artery anterogradely (1 eye) according to the indications and contraindications of thrombolytic therapy in acute cerebral infraction patients. Urokinase (0.4 million U in total) was intermittently injected into the arteries. After artery thrombolysis, the changes of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), filling time of retinal artery and its branches on FFA within 24 hours and the visual acuity were observed. According to the A-Rct and FT on FFA, the therapeutic effects on retinal circulation were defined as effective markedly (A-Rct≤15 s, FT≤2 s) , effective (A-Rct was improved but in the range of 16 - 20 s, FT was in 3 - 8 s) and no effect (A-Rct was improved but ≥21 s, FT≥9 s). The related local or systemic complications were recorded.ResultsAfter the injection of urokinase into the catheter, the ophthalmic artery and its branches were increased in 6 eyes (66.7%), and the development of the eye ring was significantly more than that of the eyes before thrombolysis. The circulation time in ophthalmic artery was speeded up for 2 s before thrombolysis in 3 eyes, 3 s in 3 eyes, and 4 s in 2 eyes. Within 24 hours after thrombolysis treatment, the A-Rct was significantly decreased than that of before interventional therapy. The retinal circulation was effective markedly in 4 eyes (44.4%), effective in 4 eyes (44.4%) and no effect in 1 eyes (11.2%) . The vision was improved 3 lines in 4 eyes (44.4%), 2 lines in 3 eyes (33.3%), 1 line in 1 eye (11.2%) and no change in 1 eye (11.2%). There were no abnormal eye movements, vitreous hemorrhage and incision hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral embolism, and other local and systemic adverse effectives during the follow-up.ConclusionsThe interventional thrombolytic therapy via supratrochlear artery retrogradely or external carotid artery anterogradely for CRAO with the ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion can improve retinal circulation and vision. There are no related local or systemic complications.
ObjectiveTo analyze the efficacy of one-stop carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) combined with carotid artery stenosis. MethodsThe clinical data of patients with CAD and severe carotid artery stenosis who underwent one-stop CEA and OPCABG in our department from March 2018 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Before the surgery, all patients routinely underwent coronary and carotid angiography to diagnose CAD and carotid artery stenosis. All patients underwent CEA first and then OPCABG in the simultaneous procedure. ResultsA total of 12 patients were enrolled, including 9 males and 3 females, aged 58-69 (63.7±3.4) years. All patients had unilateral severe carotid artery stenosis, and the degree of stenosis was 70%-90%. The lesions of carotid artery stenosis were located in the bifurcation of carotid artery or the beginning of internal carotid artery. All patients successfully underwent one-stop CEA combined with OPCABG. The number of bridging vessels was 2-4 (2.8±0.6). The operation time of CEA was 16-35 (25.7±5.6) min. There was no death during the perioperative or follow-up periods. No serious complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction occurred during the perioperative period. During the follow-up of 6-40 months, the patency rate of arterial bridge was 100.0% (12/12), and that of venous bridge was 95.5% (21/22). Cervical vascular ultrasound showed that the blood flow of carotid artery was satisfactory. ConclusionOne-stop CEA and OPCABG can be safely and effectively used to treat CAD and carotid artery stenosis. The early and middle-term curative effect is satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) polymorphism and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). MethodsFrom April 2013 to February 2014, 310 cases of carotid IMT thickening (IMT thickening group) from the physical examination center were included in the study and 280 cases of normal carotid IMT were regarded as controls. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. ALDH2 gene polymorphism was detected by DNA microarray method. ResultsGenotype distributions had no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. Compared with controls, the frequency of AA/AG genotypes (67.4%, 41.1%; P<0.01) and the frequency of A allele (37.9%, 22.3%; P<0.001) of ALDH2 gene were apparently increased in the subjects of IMT thickening group. There was a significant difference in the frequency distribution of genotype and allele in ALDH2 between the two groups. The logistic analysis showed that the ALDH2 gene polymorphism was associated with the increased carotid IMT [OR=2.381, 95%CI (1.356, 4.213), P=0.004]. ConclusionThe ALDH2 gene polymorphism is correlated with the increased carotid IMT in the Han population of China Sichuan. The ALDH2 gene polymorphism may play an important role in genetic susceptibility of increased carotid IMT.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of carotid artery stenting (CAS) on ophthalmic artery blood flow in patients with ischemic ophthalmopathy (IOP).MethodsA prospective case-control study. Sixty IOP patients (60 eyes) who met inclusive criteria for CAS were enrolled in this study. There was 50% stenosis of internal carotid artery on one side at least confirmed by color doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Among 60 eyes, there were 3 eyes with central retinal artery occlusion, 15 eyes with retinal vein occlusion, 37 eyes with ischemic optic neuropathy, 5 eyes with ocular ischemia syndrome. The patients were randomly divided into CAS group (32 eyes of 32 patients) and medicine therapy group (28 eyes of 28 patients). The difference of age (t=1.804) and sex (χ2=1.975) between two groups was not significant (P＞0.05). The examinations of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), CDFI and digital substraction angiography (DSA) were performed before, 1 week and 6 months after treatment. The following parameters were recorded: arm-retinal circulation time (A-Rct), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) in the ophthalmic artery (OA) and central retinal artery (CRA), and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).ResultsThere was no significant differences in A-Rct (t=1.354) and BCVA (t=0.376) between the two groups before treatment (P＞0.05). Also, there was no significant differences in PSV (t=−0.294, −2.446), EDV (t=0.141, −0.305), and RI (t=−0.222, −0.694) of OA and CRA between the two groups before treatment before treatment (P＞0.05). Compared with the medicine therapy group, the lower A-Rct was found in the CAS group at different time points after the treatment. The difference was significant on 1 week after treatment (t=−3.205, P＜0.05), but not on 6 months after treatment (t=1.345, P＞0.05). The BCVA of eyes in the two groups were increasing with the extending of time of therapy. Compared with the medicine therapy group, the better BCVA was found in the CAS group at different time points after the treatment (t=0.800, 1.527; P＜0.05). Compared with the medicine therapy group, the higher PSV, EDV and lower RI of OA and CRA were found in the CAS group at different time points after the treatment. (P＜0.05).ConclusionCompared with conventional medicine therapy, CAS shows earlier effects in improving ocular hemodynamics for IOP patients with carotid artery stenosis, which benefits visual function improvement of the patients.