Value of contrast -enhanced ultrasound combined with serum homocysteine in determining the stability of atherosclerotic plaques / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of contrast -enhanced ultrasound combined with serum homocysteine in determining the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.Methods 96 cases with cerebrovascular disease accompanied by carotid atherosclerotic plaques were selected.All patients were taken ultrasonography and contrast -enhanced ultrasound.Semi -quantitative grading was used for plaque according to the reinforced.The serum homocys-teine levels were detected.Results A total of 146 plaques of 96 cases were found out.Hard plaques were 13(8.9%),soft plaques were 71(48.6%)and mixed plaques were 62(42.5%).All cases were divided into three groups according to the plaque ultrasound contrast semiquantitative grading.24 cases were in Ⅰ grade group,46 cases were in Ⅱ grade group,26 cases were in Ⅲ grade group.The differences of serum homocysteine levels among the three groups were statistically significant(F =59.942,P <0.05),pairwise compared,the differences were statistically significant(t =16.837,20.682 and 15.416,all P <0.05).Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that contrast -enhanced ultrasound plaque classifications were positively correlated with serum homocysteine levels(r =0.709,P =0.000).Conclusion Contrast -enhanced ultrasound could accurately assess the neovascularization in the plaque. Semi -quantitative grading of ultrasound contrast are positively correlated with serum homocysteine levels.Combined the two could provides scientific basis for early and accurate prediction the stability of plaque.