E Ballotta1, G Da Giau, L Renon. 1. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Vascular Surgery Section, University of Padua School of Medicine, Policlinico Universitario, Via N. Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padua, Italy. ballotta@ux1.unipd.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In carotid artery disease, the relationship between carotid plaque morphology and the patient's neurologic symptoms is reportedly conflicting. The aim of this study was to correlate gross carotid plaque characteristics with the presenting symptoms in a relatively large series of patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Four hundred and five patients who underwent 461 CEAs were divided into three groups: (1) transiently symptomatic [transient ischemic attack (TIA) or amaurosis fugax]; (2) prior stroke; and (3) asymptomatic. The degree of stenosis based on the preoperative angiograms was used in association with the presenting symptoms as the primary criterion in the decision to operate. Carotid plaque characteristics, including ulcerated plaque (UP), intraplaque hemorrhage (IH), uncomplicated plaque, and degree of stenosis, were recorded prospectively for 457 CEAs, since 4 CEAs were excluded from the study. All CEA specimens were grossly evaluated at surgery. RESULTS: There was a statistically higher incidence of UP in transiently symptomatic (P = 0.008) or prior stroke (P = 0.006) patients than in the asymptomatic group. When IH was considered independently, its incidence did not differ significantly between the three groups. Previously symptomatic patients tended to have higher-grade stenosis than asymptomatic patients, although the difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). Although the incidences of UP and IH were higher in the higher-grade stenosis group, the difference was again not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid UP correlates closely with an initial presentation of TIA, amaurosis fugax, or prior stroke, while the association between IH and presenting symptoms is less clear. Although there is an insignificant trend toward a correlation between the higher degrees of stenosis and the onset of transient symptoms, the degree of stenosis appears unaffected by the morphology of the plaque. These findings suggest that plaque morphology may play an important role in the presentation of carotid artery disease. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In carotid artery disease, the relationship between carotid plaque morphology and the patient's neurologic symptoms is reportedly conflicting. The aim of this study was to correlate gross carotid plaque characteristics with the presenting symptoms in a relatively large series of patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Four hundred and five patients who underwent 461 CEAs were divided into three groups: (1) transiently symptomatic [transient ischemic attack (TIA) or amaurosis fugax]; (2) prior stroke; and (3) asymptomatic. The degree of stenosis based on the preoperative angiograms was used in association with the presenting symptoms as the primary criterion in the decision to operate. Carotid plaque characteristics, including ulcerated plaque (UP), intraplaque hemorrhage (IH), uncomplicated plaque, and degree of stenosis, were recorded prospectively for 457 CEAs, since 4 CEAs were excluded from the study. All CEA specimens were grossly evaluated at surgery. RESULTS: There was a statistically higher incidence of UP in transiently symptomatic (P = 0.008) or prior stroke (P = 0.006) patients than in the asymptomatic group. When IH was considered independently, its incidence did not differ significantly between the three groups. Previously symptomatic patients tended to have higher-grade stenosis than asymptomatic patients, although the difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). Although the incidences of UP and IH were higher in the higher-grade stenosis group, the difference was again not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid UP correlates closely with an initial presentation of TIA, amaurosis fugax, or prior stroke, while the association between IH and presenting symptoms is less clear. Although there is an insignificant trend toward a correlation between the higher degrees of stenosis and the onset of transient symptoms, the degree of stenosis appears unaffected by the morphology of the plaque. These findings suggest that plaque morphology may play an important role in the presentation of carotid artery disease. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Authors: M Wintermark; S S Jawadi; J H Rapp; T Tihan; E Tong; D V Glidden; S Abedin; S Schaeffer; G Acevedo-Bolton; B Boudignon; B Orwoll; X Pan; D Saloner Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2008-02-13 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Max Wintermark; Sandeep Arora; Elizabeth Tong; Eric Vittinghoff; Benison C Lau; Jeffrey D Chien; William P Dillon; David Saloner Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: Shahmir Kamalian; Shervin Kamalian; Stuart R Pomerantz; Teerath P Tanpitukpongse; Rajiv Gupta; Javier M Romero; Douglas S Katz Journal: Emerg Radiol Date: 2013-03-22
Authors: R Magge; B C Lau; B P Soares; S Fischette; S Arora; E Tong; S Cheng; M Wintermark Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2012-08-02 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Jochen M Grimm; Andreas Schindler; Florian Schwarz; Clemens C Cyran; Anna Bayer-Karpinska; Tobias Freilinger; Chun Yuan; Jennifer Linn; Miguel Trelles; Maximilian F Reiser; Konstantin Nikolaou; Tobias Saam Journal: J Cardiovasc Magn Reson Date: 2014-10-07 Impact factor: 5.364