Screening test for extracranial carotid lesions' detection in patients of an outpatient vascular clinic.

Purpose The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial sections of carotid arteries and to determine the level of the correlation between these lesions and symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Secondly, to identify the most common risk factors of ischaemic stroke occurrence in population of patients of vascular outpatient clinic. Material and Methods Prospective study was conducted on a group of 1,000 people (217 women and 783 men), aged 50 to 86 years, the average age was 62 years (± 9.95). Results Atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries were observed in 670 examined people (67%). In 63 cases (6.3%) carotid artery occlusion was revealed. Patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis more frequently were addicted to cigarettes and suffered from hypertension in comparison to asymptomatic group. A statistically significant correlation between the TIA or ischemic stroke and smoking were noticed, as well as between TIA/ischemic stroke and hypertension Conclusions Among patients with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries atherosclerotic lesions in the extracranial carotid sections occur with a high frequency. Statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries were observed in this group. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries in symptomatic patients and smoking and hypertension. Performing screening in patients with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or lower limb arteries may detect significant carotid artery stenosis, requiring surgical intervention.

The influence of selected bariatric surgeries on glycolipid balance.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two laparoscopic bariatric procedures, i.e. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in terms of body mass reduction and improvement in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of patients subjected to RYGB (Group I) and LSG (Group II) procedures. Body mass and fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were evaluated on the day preceding the surgery and 1, 3 and 6 months thereafter. BMI, HOMA-IR and HOMA-B were calculated as well. RESULTS: The reduction of BMI, glucose, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides levels as well as the HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B indices and increase of HDL were observed in both groups 6 months after the surgery. No reduction of both total cholesterol and LDL concentrations was obtained in both groups. The differences of the studied parameters in both groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: RYGB and LSG are equally effective in terms of body mass reduction, improvement of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism assessed 6 months after the surgery.