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 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Protruding aortic arch atheromas are associated with otherwise unexplained strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Therefore aortic atheromas also may be important in patients with carotid artery disease. Forty-five patients with > or = 50% carotid stenosis and stroke or transient ischemic attack within 6 weeks underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination (TEE). They were matched for age, sex, and hypertension with 45 control subjects who had also had a recent cerebral event but in whom significant carotid stenosis was absent. Protruding aortic arch atheromas were present in 17 (38%) of 45 patients with carotid disease and only 7 (16%) of 45 of control subjects (p = 0.02). Mobile atheromas (with the greatest embolic potential) were present almost exclusively in case patients, 6 (13%) of 45, versus 1 (2%) of 45 control subjects (p = 0.05). Case patients with mobile atheromas had the most severe carotid stenosis ( > or = 80%). Cerebral symptoms were discordant with the side of the carotid stenosis in 10 case patients, and 4 had atheromas. In conclusion, protruding atheromas of the aortic arch are present in significant numbers of symptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. These atheromas may represent an additional cause of symptoms in patients with carotid stenosis. TEE to look for protruding aortic atheromas may be considered in patients with neurologic events despite the presence of significant carotid stenosis, especially if the symptoms are discordant with the side of carotid stenosis.
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PMID:Protruding atheromas of the aortic arch in symptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. 781 22

Amaurosis fugax has frequently been related to carotid artery disease. In order to determine the relationship between amaurosis fugax and significant carotid artery stenosis, we prospectively studied 81 consecutive patients presenting to an ophthalmologist with this symptom. Neurologic and vascular evaluation with PPG and Duplex-scan were performed. A stenosis of greater than 70% was regarded as significant. DSA was performed in patients with significant stenosis (55 of 81). The presence of risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, tobacco and hyperlipidemia was considered. Mean age was 64.96 years. There was a high prevalence of hypertension, smoking and previous CVA/TIAs. Patients with significant carotid stenosis were endarterectomized. Carotid atheromata plaques were classified in three groups: hemorrhagic plaque (5), dystrophic calcification (8) and ulcerated plaque (42). There was a high correlation (0.87) between ulcerated plaque and amaurosis fugax. We conclude that amaurosis fugax is an important symptom to allocate patients with high risk of carotid disease, specially carotid stenosis complicated with ulcerated plaque. Carotid duplex scan must be done if this symptom is present.
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PMID:Amaurosis fugax as a symptom of carotid artery stenosis. Its relationship with ulcerated plaque. 812 72

Carotid arteriosclerotic disease is the most readily treatable type of lesion leading to stroke. Its management involves lowering those risk factors over which the patient has control. Patients should regulate hypertension, quit smoking, seek medical attention for treatable cardiac abnormalities, and take steps to reduce increased blood lipids. For symptomatic carotid disease, regardless of whether surgery is offered, platelet inhibitors are obligatory. The recommended dose is 650 mg aspirin per day (or up to 1300 mg, if tolerated). For patients whose symptoms continue despite aspirin therapy or who are aspirin intolerant, ticlopidine is the only recommended platelet inhibitor. Cerebral arterial bypass surgery is not an effective treatment for carotid arteriosclerosis. Carotid endarterectomy helps patients with > or = 70% stenosis as determined by strict arteriographic measurements. We do not yet have sufficient data to determine whether endarterectomy would benefit patients with lower levels of carotid stenosis or asymptomatic patients with any degree of stenosis.
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PMID:Therapy of carotid arteriosclerosis. 819 1

During the first year the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study enrolled 599 volunteers without clinical signs or symptoms of cerebrovascular disease aged 50 to 70 years. Study participants were randomly selected from the official register of the city of Graz. The rate of positive response was 26.9 percent. All subjects underwent an extensive risk factor screening with Duplex scanning of the carotid arteries obtained from a subset of 176 individuals. The prevalence of well-documented cerebrovascular risk factors was 40.6% for arterial hypertension, 35.4% for cardiac disease, 8.5% for diabetes mellitus und 3% for elevated haematocrit. The less well-documented cerebrovascular risk factors dyslipidemia, overweight, physical inactivity, hyperfibrinogenemia and smoking were noted in 75%, 33.7%, 27.2%, 14.9% and 12.2% of subjects, respectively. Multiple well-documented risk factors were noted in 23.7% of the examined volunteers. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed body mass index (p < 0.0001) and age (p < 0.0001) as independent predictors of the frequency of well-documented risk factors observed in any individual. Atherosclerotic carotid disease occurred in 61.9% of study participants investigated by Doppler sonography and was significantly associated with age (p < 0.00001), life-time tobacco consumption (p < 0.0001) and the concentration of apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates high prevalence rates of vascular risk factors in an elderly Austrian community. Implications for stroke prevention result from the conjunction of overweight and frequency of risk factors noted in any study participant, as well as from the relationship of carotid atherosclerosis to smoking and dyslipidemia.
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PMID:Cerebrovascular risk factors in an elderly Austrian population: first year results of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study (ASPS). 836 75

The purpose was 1) To assess the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in elderly males with atherosclerosis and 2) to evaluate the value of physical exam (PE) by a vascular surgeon in detecting AAA. A total of ninety-six males older than 55 years referred to vascular surgery clinic with atherosclerotic disease were screened prospectively with PE by a vascular surgeon, followed by ultrasonography (US). Atherosclerosis was documented by ankle brachial index and duplex US. Patients who had recently undergone a vascular procedure, aortography, laparotomy, abdominal computed tomography, or US were excluded. Mean age was 67 years. Patients were 67 per cent Caucasian, 32 per cent black, and 1 per cent Hispanic. Presenting complaints were related to claudication (83%), carotid disease (19%), both (3%), and subclavian stenosis (1%). Patient characteristics included cigarette smoking (85%), hypertension (67%), cardiac disease (51%), diabetes (45%), stroke (18%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8%). One (1%) 3.7 cm AAA was detected by US. Sensitivity of PE was 100 per cent and specificity 92 per cent. Twenty-two (23%) patients were too obese for us to feel the aortic pulse. Screening cost was $14,250. The prevalence of AAA in this population is very low. AAA screening should be reserved for patients with a positive PE or who are too obese for the examiner to feel the aortic pulse.
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PMID:Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in elderly males with atherosclerosis: the value of physical exam. 881 72

We evaluated the effect of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and commonly associated co-morbid conditions on the risk of adverse events (stroke, cardiac events, and death) within 30 days after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Renal function of patients undergoing CEA from 1980 to 1994 was categorized as normal (creatinine < 1.5 mg/dl), mild CRI (creatinine 1.5-2.9 mg/dl), or severe CRI (creatinine > 2.9 mg/dl). Renal function, age, gender, indications for surgery, cardiac disease, chronic preoperative hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, severe perioperative hypertension or hypotension, intraoperative shunting, and patch closure of the carotid artery were evaluated for their influence on the incidence of adverse events within 30 days after surgery. The timing of postoperative stroke and mechanism of stroke was determined when possible. A total of 237 patients underwent 285 CEAs. No significant differences were found in demographic or clinical characteristics between patients with normal or abnormal renal function. Postoperative stroke and death occurred following three (43%) of seven CEAs in six patients with severe CRI, significantly greater than the 6% incidence of stroke and 1% mortality following 264 CEAs in 221 patients with normal renal function (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Of three patients with severe CRI suffering postoperative stroke, two had severe, difficult to control perioperative hypertension. Two patients with severe CRI who survived 30 days after operation suffered strokes 3 and 4 months postoperatively with one stroke-related death and another death not directly related to the stroke. One patient with severe CRI who survived CEA without stroke was alive 6 months after surgery. The 0% incidence of stroke and death following 14 CEAs in 10 patients with mild CRI was not significantly different from that in patients with normal renal function. Postoperative stroke was not associated with age, gender, history of cardiac disease, chronic preoperative hypertension, diabetes, smoking, or use of intraoperative shunts or patch closure. All three cardiac events occurred in diabetic patients, although they constituted only 26% of operations (p = 0.003). Other clinical characteristics were not associated with the occurrence of cardiac events. Patients with severe CRI are at significantly greater risk than others for postoperative stroke and death following CEA, possibly related to difficulty controlling severe perioperative hypertension. Age, gender, smoking, preoperative hypertension, diabetes, and known cardiac disease are not associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke in any patient group. CEA can be justified only for carefully selected patients with severe CRI who have symptomatic carotid disease, acceptable operative risk factors, and a good long-term life expectancy. CEA in patients with mild CRI is associated with low risk, and these patients may be treated with the same consideration as patients with normal renal function.
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PMID:Is carotid endarterectomy justified in patients with severe chronic renal insufficiency? 918 64

In the general population, peripheral atherosclerosis is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and death. In patients with known coronary artery disease, it is unclear whether the presence of additional noncoronary atherosclerosis is of further prognostic value. In the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation, 5-year outcome was compared between patients with and without clinically evident noncoronary atherosclerosis. Within the subgroup with noncoronary atherosclerosis, surgery, and angioplasty treatment strategies were compared. Noncoronary atherosclerosis was defined as claudication, peripheral vascular surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, history of cerebral ischemia, or carotid disease. Among 1,816 patients, 303 (17%) had noncoronary atherosclerosis. These patients were more likely to have a history of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension, and were more likely to smoke. Coronary angiographic variables were similar between the 2 groups. Five-year survival was 75.8% for patients with noncoronary atherosclerosis and 90.2% for those without (p < 0.001). The adjusted relative risk of death was 1.7 for any noncoronary atherosclerosis, 1.5 for lower extremity disease alone, 1.7 for cerebral disease alone, and 2.3 for both conditions. Among the 303 patients with noncoronary atherosclerosis, the adjusted relative risk of death for surgery versus angioplasty was 0.87 (p = 0.40). However, the study has limited power to detect a treatment effect in this small subgroup. Thus, patients with combined coronary and clinically evident noncoronary atherosclerosis are a high-risk group with significantly worse long-term outcome compared patients with isolated coronary disease.
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PMID:Long-term prognostic value of clinically evident noncoronary vascular disease in patients undergoing coronary revascularization in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation (BARI). 948 22

Surgical management of the carotid disease remains controversial in patients affected with coronary artery atheromatous disease. We report the Montreal Heart Institute experience on the influence of carotid disease on postoperative neurologic events of 501 consecutive patients operated on for coronary revascularization during the period from January 1994 to December 1994. There were 381 men and 114 women averaging 62 +/- 9 years old. Major risk factors were high blood pressure (35%), and smoking habit (48%). Fifty-nine patients presented clinical signs of carotid atheromatosis and among them 21 had significant carotid stenosis (> 80% decrease of cross sectional area). During surgery, the mean duration of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) was 76 +/- 31 minutes and the mean perfusion pressure (MPP) was 70 +/- 11 mmHg. The use of inotropic drugs was mandatory in 26% of the cases and the mean arterial lactate (AL) dosage during ECG was 3.07 +/- 1.35 mM/L. During the perioperative period, 13 (2.5%) patients sustained neurologic disturbances of which 5 (1%) were lateralized. Among them, 8 completely recovered whereas 3 of the 5 with permanent damage died. None of the patients with preoperative stigmata of carotid disease experienced lateralized neurologic deficit. Multivariate regression analysis identified the use of vasopressor drugs and perioperative increase of AL as predictive factors. We conclude that in our series, the incidence of neurologic complications was low. The presence of carotid atheromatosis did not increase the postsurgical risk of cerebrovascular accident, however, the increased incidence of neurologic events associated with inotropic drugs and increased AL suggests a direct link with a systemic oxygen debt. Consequently, we do no recommend concurrent prophylactic surgery during coronary artery revascularization.
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PMID:[Influence of carotid atheroma on the neurologic status after myocardial revascularization]. 973

Prevention of perioperative cerebrovascular injury in patients undergoing open heart surgery is a serious task for the surgeon, especially as age and severity of atherosclerotic disease increases. The most significant predisposing factors have been identified as existing carotid arterial disease or prior stroke, heavy calcification of the aorta, renal dysfunction, advanced age, and diabetes mellitus. We have studied a series of 600 open heart patients from 1992 to 1995 from the incidence of peri-operative stroke and mortality, evaluating 16 risk factors: heavy calcification of the ascending aorta, asymptomatic carotid disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, prior CVA, left ventricular function (ejection fraction of 20% or less), age greater than 70, renal dysfunction, transmural myocardial infarction, fluid balance index greater than 2500 ccs, smoking, type of procedure, emergency procedure, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, cardiopulmonary bypass time, gender, and hypertension Stroke occurred in 8 patients (1.3%), one of whom die postoperatively. Full or near-full recovery was experienced by 5 patients; 2 patients remained partially dysfunctional at the end of the study period. The operative mortality was 2.0% (12 patients); 10 deaths occurred in hospital and 2 following discharge within 30 days postoperatively. The risk of stroke was 15 times greater in patients over age 70; 16 times greater in older males (> or = 70 years); 5 times greater in patients with prior stroke or existing (asymptomatic) carotid artery disease; 8 times greater in patients with renal dysfunction; 4 times greater with a positive fluid balance index; and twice greater when cardiopulmonary bypass exceeded 110 minutes. Four of the stroke patients had diabetes mellitus. Two of 9 patients with heavy calcification of the aortic arch suffered cerebrovascular injury. Six or more of the risk factors studied were present in 81 patients; all 8 stroke patients (9.9%) came from this subgroup. The study suggests the importance of pre-operative evaluation of cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease and the minimal manipulation ("minimal touch" technique) of a calcific aortic arch.
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PMID:Risks of cerebrovascular events related to open heart surgery. 973 41

Peripheral arterial disease has received less attention from epidemiologists than coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Prevalence and incidence data typically show that peripheral arterial disease increases with age, is more common in men than women, and that symptomatic disease is only the tip of the iceberg. Studies concerning the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease rely mainly on the Rose questionnaire, which is used to screen for intermittent claudication, and on the ankle/brachial index, used to detect asymptomatic disease. Although there is a certain parallel between the 2 sets of data, the figures for asymptomatic disease consistently surpass those for clinical disease, and there is a wide variation between frequencies obtained in individual studies. In general, the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease is estimated to be under 2% for men aged less than 50 years, increasing to over 5% in those aged more than 70 years. Women reach these rates almost 10 years after men, although this gender difference decreases with increasing age. Figures for incidence follow a similar trend. The incidence of chronic critical ischaemia is estimated to be between 0.05% and 0.1% of the population. Asymptomatic disease detected with noninvasive tests is 3 to 4 times more frequent than intermittent claudication: its prevalence increases from under 5% for individuals aged less than 50 years to over 20% for individuals aged more than 70 years. The classical risk factors for atherosclerosis also apply to peripheral arterial disease, although their order of importance may be different from that for coronary and carotid disease. Several studies have shown that peripheral arterial disease correlates most strongly with cigarette smoking. Smoking is also the single greatest predictor of the progression of peripheral arterial disease. Other risk factors include hypertension, raised lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides for severe disease), diabetes, increased plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and homocysteine levels. Divergent views have been expressed in individual epidemiological studies with regard to the respective contribution of these risk factors to the development and progression of peripheral arterial disease. The natural history of peripheral arterial disease is characterised by a relatively benign local evolution. It can be estimated that, in general, 3 of 4 men presenting with intermittent claudication will never have a serious problem necessitating vascular intervention, and that no more than 5% are ever likely to require a major amputation. However, the underlying atherosclerotic pathology progresses with time: nondiseased arteries become obliterated and disease with an initially unilateral pattern frequently progresses to become bilateral. In addition, the few patients who do progress to critical ischaemia are at a significantly higher risk of amputation. The general prognosis for patients with peripheral arterial disease is particularly negative. There is a high prevalence of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease in such patients, although the exact percentages depend on the patient population selected and on the method used for their evaluation. Coronary heart disease is detected in 40 to 60% of patients through a medical history combined with electrocardiography, while systematic coronary angiography detects coronary heart disease in 90% of those undergoing surgery. Although few patients with peripheral arterial disease have a history of stroke, in studies of surgical patients almost 30% appear to have significant extracranial disease. Patients with peripheral arterial disease have a poor life expectancy: the mortality rate is 3 to 5% per year in those with intermittent claudication and 20% per year in those with critical ischaemia. Coronary heart disease accounts for half of the total mortality, while vascular disease in general accounts for almost two-thirds.
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PMID:[Epidemiology and prognosis of peripheral obliterative arteriopathy]. 984 97


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