Microembolic signal monitoring in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship of microembolic signals (MESs) between the degree of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, ultrasonic characteristics of plaques, peak systolic velocity at the stenotic site and risk factors for stroke. Methods A total of 52 patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were enrolled. MESs of bilateral middle cerebral arteries were monitored and detected by carotid color Doppler flow imaging. Results The positive rate of MESs on the symptomatic sides was significantly higher than that on the asymptomatic sides (28. 8% vs. 4. 5%, P < 0. 05). The positive rate was not significantly correlated with the degree of stenosis, ultrasonic characteristics of plaques, peak systolic velocity on the stenotic sides, and risk factors for stroke. Conclusions MESs mainly occurred on the symptomatic sides of carotid artery stenosis, and they were more closely correlated with unstable plaques.

Microembolic signals and adhesion molecules in patients with cerebral ischemia / 国际脑血管病杂志

Unstable plaque is one of the major sources of microemboli.The microembolic signals indicate that the patients had unstable plaques and are prone to cerebral infarction recently.A series of adhesion molecules involved in the regulation of inflammatory response and functional changes of cerebral microcirculation during ischemic brain injury.The interaction among the adhesion molecules is conducive to leukocyte adhesion,migration,and platelet aggregation,thereby promoting inflammatory response and thrombosis.Recent studies have indicated that adhesion molecules are closely correlated with the instability of atherosclerotic plaques,which may have involved in the formation process of microemboli.The further study of adhesion molecules and microemboli contributes to implementation of drug intervention.It has a positive significance for the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia.