Ready-to-use protein G-conjugated gold nanorods for biosensing and biomedical applications.

BACKGROUND: Gold nanorods (GNRs) display unique capacity to absorb and scatter near infrared light, which arises from their peculiar composition of surface plasmon resonances. For this reason, GNRs have become an innovative material of great hope in nanomedicine, in particular for imaging and therapy of cancer, as well as in photonic sensing of biological agents and toxic compounds for e.g. biomedical diagnostics, forensic analysis and environmental monitoring. As the use of GNRs is becoming more and more popular, in all these contexts, there is emerging a latent need for simple and versatile protocols for their modification with targeting units that may convey high specificity for any analyte of interest of an end-user. RESULTS: We introduce protein G-coated GNRs as a versatile solution for the oriented immobilization of antibodies in a single step of mixing. We assess this strategy against more standard covalent binding of antibodies, in terms of biocompatibility and efficiency of molecular recognition in buffer, serum and plasma, in the context of the development of a direct immunoenzymatic assay. In both cases, we estimate an average of around 30 events of molecular recognition per particle. In addition, we disclose a convenient protocol to store these particles for months in a freezer, without any detrimental effect. CONCLUSIONS: The biocompatibility and efficiency of molecular recognition is similar in either case of GNRs that are modified with antibodies by covalent binding or oriented immobilization through protein G. However, protein G-coated GNRs are most attractive for an end-user, owing to their unique versatility and ease of bioconjugation with antibodies of her/his choice.

Selective Intra-procedural AAA sac Embolization During EVAR Reduces the Rate of Type II Endoleak.

OBJECTIVE: The pre-treatment presence of at least six efferent patent vessels (EPV) from the AAA sac and/or AAA thrombus volume ratio (VR%) <40% are considered to be positive predictive factors for persistent type II endoleak (ELIIp). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sac embolization during EVAR in patients with pre-operative morphological risk factors (p-MRF) for ELIIp. METHODS: Patients undergoing EVAR and intra-procedural AAA sac embolization (Group A, 2012-2013) were retrospectively selected and compared with a control group of patients with the same p-MRF, who underwent EVAR without intra-procedural sac embolization (Group B, 2008-2010). The presence of ELIIp was evaluated by duplex ultrasound at 0 and 6 months, and by contrast enhanced ultrasound at 12 months. The association between AAA diameter, age, COPD, smoking, anticoagulant therapy, and AAA sac embolization with ELIIp was evaluated using multiple logistic regression. The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of the intra-procedural AAA sac embolization for ELIIp prevention. Secondary endpoints were AAA sac evolution and freedom from ELIIp and embolization related re-interventions at 6-12 months. RESULTS: Seventy patients were analyzed: 26 Group A and 44 Group B; the groups were homogeneous for clinical/morphological characteristics. In Group A the median number of coils positioned in AAA sac was 4.1 (IQR 1). There were no complications related to the embolization procedures. A significantly lower number of ELIIp was detected in Group A than in Group B (8/26 vs. 33/44, respectively, p < .001) at discharge, and this was confirmed at 6-12 months (7/26 vs. 30/44 respectively, p = .001, and 5/25 vs. 32/44, respectively, p < .001). On multivariate analysis, intra-procedural AAA sac embolization was the only factor independently associated with freedom from ELIIp at 6 (OR 0.196, 95% CI 0.06-0.63; p = .007) and 12 months (OR 0.098, 95% CI 0.02-0.35; p < .001). No differences in median AAA sac diameter shrinkage were detected between the two groups at 6-12 months (p = .42 and p = .58, respectively). Freedom from ELIIp related and embolization related re-interventions was 100% in both groups, at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Selective intra-procedural AAA sac embolization in patients with p-MRF is safe and could be an effective method to reduce ELIIp. Further studies are mandatory to support these results at long-term follow up.

Contralateral carotid occlusion in endovascular and surgical carotid revascularization: a single centre experience with literature review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The influence of contralateral carotid occlusion (CCO) on the outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and stenting (CAS) is debated. This study aims to evaluate CEA and CAS results in patients with CCO. METHODS: All carotid revascularizations from 2005 to 2011 were analyzed, focusing on the role of CCO on 30-day cerebral events and death (CED). A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the results of the literature by random effect. RESULTS: Of the 1,218 carotid revascularizations performed in our institution, 706 (57.9%) were CEA and 512 (42.1%) were CAS. CED occurred in 3.6% of the CEAs and 8.2% of the CASs (p = .001). CCO was present in 37 (5.2%) CEAs and 38 (7.4%) CASs. In CEA, CCO patients had a higher CED compared with the non-CCO patients (16.2% vs. 2.9%, p = .001), as confirmed by multiple regression analysis (OR [odds ratio]: 5.1[1.7-14.5]). In CAS, CED was not significantly different in the CCO and non-CCO patients (2.6% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.23). The comparative analysis of the CCO patients showed a higher CED in CEA compared with that in CAS (16.2% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.04). Meta-analysis of 33 papers (27 on CEA and 6 on CAS) revealed that CCO was associated with a higher CED in CEA, but not in CAS (OR: 1.82 [1.57-2.11]; OR: 1.22 [0.60-2.49], respectively). CONCLUSION: CCO can be considered as a risk factor for CED in CEA, but not in CAS. CAS appears to be associated with lower CED than CEA in CCO patients.

Superior mesenteric artery-related outcomes in fenestrated/branched endografting for complex aortic aneurysms.

Aim: Early/follow-up durability of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stent-grafts is crucial after fenestrated/branched endografting (FB-EVAR) in complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (CAAAs) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). The study aimed to report early/midterm outcomes of SMA incorporated during FB-EVAR procedures. Methods: FB-EVAR procedures performed between 2016 and 2021 in a single institution were reviewed. Anatomical SMA characteristics were analyzed. The SMA configuration was classified into three types according to the angle between the SMA main trunk and the aorta: (A) perpendicular, (B) downward, and (C) upward. SMA-related technical success (SMA-TS: cannulation and stenting, patency at completion angiography without endoleak, stenosis/kinking, dissection, bleeding, and 24-h mortality) and SMA-adverse events (SMA-AEs: one among bowel ischemia, stenosis, occlusion, endoleak, reinterventions, or SMA-related mortality) were assessed. Results: Two hundred FB-EVAR procedures with SMA as the target artery were performed. The indication for FB-EVAR was CAAAs and TAAAs in 99 (49%) and 101 (51%) cases, respectively. The SMA configuration was A, B, and C in 132 (66%), 63 (31%), and 5 (3%) cases, respectively. SMA was incorporated with fenestrations and branches in 131 (66%) and 69 (34%) cases, respectively. Directional branch (P < .001), aortic diameter ≥35 mm at the SMA level (P < .001), and ≥2 SMA bridging stent-grafts (P = .001) were more frequent in TAAAs. Relining of the SMA stent-graft with a bare metal stent was necessary in 41 (21%) cases to correct an acute angle between the stent-graft and native artery (39), stent-graft stenosis (1), or SMA dissection (1). Relining was associated with type A or C SMA configuration (OR: 17; 95% CI: 1.8-157.3; P = .01). SMA-TS was achieved in all cases. Overall, 15 (7.5%) patients had SMA-AEs [early: 9 (60%), follow-up: 6 (40%)] due to stenosis (2), endoleak (8), and bowel ischemia (5). Aortic diameter ≥35 mm at the SMA level was an independent risk factor for SMA-AEs (OR: 4; 95% CI: 1.4-13.8; P = .01). Fourteen (7%) patients died during hospitalization with 10 (5%) events within the 30-postoperative day. Emergency cases (OR: 33; 95% CI: 5.7-191.3; P = .001), peripheral arterial occlusive disease (OR: 14; 95% CI: 2.3-88.8; P = .004), and bowel ischemia (OR: 41; 95% CI: 1.9-87.9; P = .01) were risk factors for 30-day/in-hospital mortality. The mean follow-up was 32 ± 24 months; estimated 3-year survival was 81%, with no case of late SMA-related mortality or occlusion. The estimated 3-year freedom from overall and SMA-related reinterventions was 74% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: SMA orientation determines the necessity of stent-graft relining. Aortic diameter ≥35 mm at the SMA level is a predictor of SMA-AEs. Nevertheless, SMA-related outcomes of FB-EVAR are satisfactory, with excellent technical success and promising clinical outcomes during the follow-up.

Nanotechnology and vascular neurosurgery: an in vivo experimental study on microvessels repair using laser photoactivation of a nanostructured hyaluronan solder.

Sealing tissues by laser in neurosurgical procedures may overcome problems related to the use of conventional suturing methods which can be associated with various degrees of vascular wall damage. Despite the significant experimental and clinical achievements of the past, a standardized clinical application of laser-welding technology has not yet been implemented. The main problem is related to the use of common organic chromophores. A substantial breakthrough in the laser welding of biological tissues may come from the advent of nanotechnologies. In this paper we describe an experimental study, to confirm the feasibility of an innovative laser-assisted vascular repair (LAVR) technique based on diode laser irradiation and subsequent photoactivation of a hyaluronan solder embedded with near infrared (NIR) absorbing gold nanorods (GNRs), and to analyze the induced closuring effect in a follow-up study performed in animal model. Twenty New Zealand rabbits underwent closure of a 3-mm longitudinal incision performed on the common carotid artery (CCA) by means of 810 nm diode laser irradiation, in conjunction with the topical application of an optimized GNR composite. Effective closure of the arterial wound was accomplished by using very low laser intensity (30 W/cm2). The average CCA occlusion time was as low as 50 sec. Animals underwent different follow-up periods (2, 8, 30 days). After follow-up, they were re-anesthetized, the patency of the treated vessels was tested (Doppler analysis) and then the irradiated vessels were excised and subjected to histological evaluations. Morphological examinations of the samples documented the integrity of the vascular wall. No host reaction to nanoparticles occurred. Collagen and elastic fibers returned to their normal architecture 30 days after treatment. A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) examination and immuno-histochemical analysis demonstrated a full re-endothelization of the vessel walls. We thus confirmed that a laser-based approach is technically easy to perform, and provides several advantages, such as a simplification of the surgical procedure, a reduction in the operative time, and the suppression of bleeding. The use of GNRs improves the selectivity of welding and minimizes the surgical trauma to vessels, resulting in an optimal healing process.

Stratification of patients admitted for SARS-CoV2 infection: prognostic scores in the first and second wave of the pandemic.

To test the prognostic performance of different scores, both specifically designed for patients with COVID-19 and generic, in predicting in-hospital mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation (MV). We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients admitted to the Emergency Department of the University Hospital AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy, between February 2020 and January 2021, with a confirmed infection by SARS-CoV2. We calculated the following scores: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, CALL score, 4C Mortality score, QUICK score, CURB-65 and MuLBSTA score. The end-points were in-hospital mortality and the need for MV. We included 1208 patients, mean age 60 ± 17 years, 57% male sex. Compared to survivors, non-survivors showed significantly higher values of all the prognostic scores (4C: 13 [10-15] vs 8 [4-10]; CALL: 11 [10-12] vs 9 [7-11]; QUICK: 4 [1-6] vs 0 [0-3]; SOFA: 5 [4-6] vs 4 [4-5]; CURB: 2 [1-3] vs 1 [0-1]; MuLBSTA: 11 [9-13] vs 9 [7-11], all p < 0.001). Discriminative ability evaluated by the Receiver Operating Curve analysis showed the following values of the Area under the Curve: 0.83 for 4C, 0.74 for CALL, 0.70 for QUICK, 0.68 for SOFA, 0.76 for CURB and 0.64 for MuLBSTA. The mortality rate significantly increased in increasing quartiles of 4C and CALL score (respectively, 2, 8, 24 and 54% for the 4C score and 1, 17, 33 and 68% for the CALL score, both p < 0.001). 4C and CALL score allowed an early and good prognostic stratification of patients admitted for pneumonia induced by SARS-CoV2.

Identification of carotid 'vulnerable plaque' by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: correlation with plaque histology, symptoms and cerebral computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Indication to carotid revascularisation is commonly determined by percent of stenosis as well as neurological symptoms and clinical conditions. High plaque embolic potential is defined as 'vulnerability'; however, its characterisation is not universally used for carotid revascularisation. We investigated the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) to identify carotid vulnerable plaque. METHODS: Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were preoperatively evaluated by cerebral computed tomography (CT) scan and CEUS. Contrast microbubbles detected within the plaque indicated neovascularisation and were quantified by decibel enhancement (dB-E). Plaques were histologically evaluated for five features: (microvessel density, fibrous cap thickness, extension of calcification, inflammatory infiltrate and lipid core) and blindly scored 1-5 to assess plaque vulnerability. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Fisher's and Student's t-test were used to correlate patients' characteristics, histological features and dB-E. RESULTS: In 22 patients, dB-E (range 2-7.8, mean 4.85 ± 1.9 SD) was significantly greater in symptomatic (7.40 ± 0.5) vs. asymptomatic (3.5 ± 1.4) patients (p = 0.002). A higher dB-E was significantly associated with thinner fibrous cap (<200 µm, 5.96 ± 1.5 vs. 3 ± 1, p = 0.01) and greater inflammatory infiltrate (3.2 ± 0.9 vs. 6.4 ± 1.2, p = 0.03). Plaques with vulnerability score of 5 had significantly higher dB-E compared with those with vulnerability score of 1 (7.6 ± 0.2 vs. 2.5 ± 0.6, respectively, p = 0.001). Preoperative ipsilateral embolic lesions at CT were correlated with higher dB-E (5.96 ± 1.5 vs. 3.0 ± 1.0, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: CEUS with dB-E is indicative of the extent of plaque neovascularisation. It can be used therefore as a marker for vulnerable plaque.

Present status and new perspectives in laser welding of vascular tissues.

The laser welding of biological tissues is a particular use of lasers in surgery. The technique has been proposed since the 1970s for surgical applications, such as repairing blood vessels, nerves, tendons, bronchial fistulae, skin and ocular tissues. In vascular surgery, two procedures have been tested and optimized in animal models, both ex vivo and in vivo, in order to design different approaches for blood vessels anastomoses and for the repair of vascular lesions: the laser-assisted vascular anastomosis (LAVA) and the laser-assisted vessel repair (LAVR). Sealing tissues by laser may overcome the problems related to the use of conventional closuring methods that are generally associated with various degrees of vascular wall damage that can ultimately predispose to vessel thrombosis and occlusion. In fact, the use of a laser welding technique provides several advantages such as simplification of the surgical procedure, reduction of the operative time, suppression of bleeding, and may guarantee an optimal healing process of vascular structures, very similar to restitutio ad integrum. Despite the numerous preclinical studies performed by several research groups, the clinical applications of laser-assisted anastomosis or vessel repair are still far off. Substantial breakthrough in the laser welding of biological tissues may come from the advent of nanotechnologies. Herein we describe the present status and the future perspectives in laser welding of vascular structures.

Atomic force microscopy for the characterisation of pinning effects of seawater micro-droplets in n-decane on a calcite surface.

HYPOTHESIS: Roughness is an important parameter in applications where wetting needs to be characterized. Micro-computed tomography is commonly used to characterize wetting in porous media but the main limitation of this approach is the incapacity to identify nanoscale roughness. Atomic force microscopy, AFM, however, has been used to characterize the topography of surfaces down to the molecular scale. Here we investigate the potential of using AFM to characterize wetting behavior at the nanoscale. EXPERIMENTS: Droplets of water on cleaved calcite under decane were imaged using quantitative imaging QI atomic force microscopy where a force-distance curve is obtained at every pixel. FINDINGS: When the AFM tip passed through the water droplet surface, an attraction was observed due to capillary effects, such that the thickness of the water film was estimated and hence the profile of the droplet obtained. This enables parameters such as the contact angle and contact angle distribution to be obtained at a nanometer scale. The contact angles around the 3-phase contact line are found to be quasi-symmetrically distributed between 10-30°. A correlation between the height profile of the surface and contact angle distribution demonstrates a quasi-proportional relationship between roughness on the calcite surface and contact angle.

An experimental study on minimally occlusive laser-assisted vascular anastomosis in bypass surgery: the importance of temperature monitoring during laser welding procedures.

Laser welding has been proposed as an alternative technique to conventional stitching in microvascular anastomosis, with the advantages of improving the vascular healing process and reducing the risk of malfunction of a bypass. Our group recently proposed a laser-assisted end-to-side anastomotic technique, providing the advantages of laser welding and reducing the occlusion time of the recipient vessel, that is important in neurosurgical bypass procedures, in order to reduce the risk of cerebral ischemia. This in vivo study focuses on the control of the temperature dynamics developing in the welded tissue. A jugular vein graft was harvested and implanted on the rabbit carotid artery by means of two end-to-side anastomosis. Laser welding procedure was then carried out to implant the bypass. A real-time monitoring of the temperature during welding was performed with an infrared thermocamera, in order to control the laser-induced heating effect on the external surface of the vessel walls. The temperature analysis highlighted the dynamic of the heating effect in space and time and enabled us to define an optimal temperature range in operative conditions. The temperature control provided safe tissue heating confined within the directly irradiated area, with negligible damage to surrounding tissues, as well as effective sealing and welding of the vessel edges at the anastomotic sites. The average occlusion time of the carotid artery was about 11 minutes. After a follow-up of 30 days, all the bypasses were patent and no signs of thrombosis or leak point pressure were present, thus confirming the safety of this laser-assisted anastomotic procedure.

Evidence-based medicine in renal artery stenting.

Atherosclerotic renovascular disease is an increasingly recognized cause of severe hypertension and declining kidney function. Patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease have been demonstrated to have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Over the course of the last two decades renal artery revascularization for treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) has gained great increase via percutaneous techniques. However the efficacy of contemporary revascularization therapies in the treatment of renal artery stenosis is unproven and controversial. The indication for renal artery stenting is widely questioned due to a not yet proven benefit of renal revascularization compared to best medical therapy. Many authors question the efficacy of percutaneous renal revascularization on clinical outcome parameters, such as preservation of renal function and blood pressure control. None of the so far published randomized controlled trials could prove a beneficial outcome of RAS revascularization compared with medical management. Currently accepted indications for revascularization are significant RAS with progressive or acute deterioration of renal function and/or severe uncontrollable hypertension, renal function decline with the use of agents blocking the renin-angiotensin system and recurrent flash pulmonary edema. The key point for success is the correct selection of the patient. This article summarizes the background and the limitations of the so far published and still ongoing controlled trials.

Novel EM Guided Endovascular Instrumentation for In Situ Endograft Fenestration.

Objective: This work aims at providing novel endovascular instrumentation to overcome current technical limitations of in situ endograft fenestration including challenges in targeting the fenestration site under fluoroscopic control and supplying mechanical support during endograft perforation. Technology: Novel electromagnetically trackable instruments were developed to facilitate the navigation of the fenestration device and its stabilization at the target site. In vitro trials were performed to preliminary evaluate the proposed instrumentation for the antegrade in situ fenestration of an aortic endograft, using a laser guidewire designed ad hoc and the sharp end of a commercial endovascular guidewire. Results: In situ fenestration was successfully performed in 22 trials. A total of two laser tools were employed since an over bending of laser guidewire tip, due to its manufacturing, caused the damage of the sensor in the first device used. Conclusions: Preliminary in vitro trials demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed instrumentation which could widespread the procedure for in situ fenestration. The results obtained should be validated performing animal studies. Clinical Impact: The proposed instrumentation has the potential to expand indications for standard endovascular aneurysm repair to cases of acute syndromes.

Chest Abdominal-Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma during the primary survey in the Emergency Department: the CA-FAST protocol.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a new protocol, Chest Abdominal-Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma (CA-FAST), during the primary survey and to estimate its diagnostic accuracy when compared with thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. METHODS: A prospective accuracy study was performed from November 2012 to November 2013 at the Emergency Department. Only adult trauma patients who underwent a CA-FAST examination prior to a thoracoabdominal CT scan were enrolled. In addition to standard patterns detected by Extended-FAST (E-FAST) such as pneumothorax (PTX), hemothorax (HTX), pericardial and intraabdominal effusion, CA-FAST protocol also included the research of lung contusions (LCs). RESULTS: Six hundred and one patients were enrolled. The mean time for protocol execution was 7 ± 3 min. Chest ultrasonography showed the following results (all p < 0.001): LCs sensitivity 59 %, specificity 98 %, positive predictive value (PPV) 92 %, negative predictive value (NPV) 86 %, accuracy 87 %; PTX sensitivity 84 %, specificity 98 %, PPV 93 %, NPV 95 %, accuracy 95 %; HTX sensitivity 82 %, specificity 97 %, PPV 87 %, NPV 95 %, accuracy 94 %. The standard 4-views FAST examination showed a diagnostic accuracy of 91 % with a sensitivity of 75 %, specificity of 96 %, PPV of 81 % and NPV of 94 %. CONCLUSION: According to our results CA-FAST protocol proved to be a rapid bedside method, with good accuracy and high NPV in detection of ultrasonographic patterns suggestive of serious injury in trauma patients; moreover, the additional research of LCs did not cause a delay in the diagnosis. Ultrasonography should be used as initial investigation during the primary survey, sending to further diagnostic studies (CT scan) only those patients not clearly classified.

Monitoring thermally-induced phase transitions in porcine cornea with the use of fluorescence micro-imaging analysis.

Thermal modifications induced in corneal stroma were investigated with the use of fluorescence microscopy. Tissue samples were heated in a water bath at temperatures in the 35-90 degrees C range. Fluorescence images of the structural modifications induced were acquired after staining with Indocyanine Green (ICG). Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and entropy analyses of each image made it possible to characterize the thermally-induced phase transitions in the stroma, and to indicate a threshold value for high thermal damage. The procedure could be proposed as the basis for a real-time controlling system for surgical techniques based on induced thermal effects.

Soil quality is key for planning and managing urban allotments intended for the sustainable production of home-consumption vegetables.

The growing importance of urban allotments in planning and managing urban areas is due to the combined positive effects on ecosystem services, the economy and human well-being, especially of groups of the urban population that can be vulnerable (e.g. the elderly, immigrants, low-income families). Some studies have highlighted the potential risk of contamination by metals of vegetables grown in urban areas and the lack of appropriate site-specific risk assessments. However, surveys are still lacking on the possibilities of using urban soil as a good substrate to produce vegetables for home consumption. We assessed the soil quality in two areas in Pisa (Italy), one intended for urban horticulture and the other already cultivated for that purpose. We analysed the soils for the main chemical and physical characteristics (texture, bulk density, water stability index, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, phosphorous) and elements (Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, As, K, Al and Mn). Our results showed that both areas had physical and chemical heterogeneity due to the effects of urbanization and to the different cultivation techniques employed. The metal content was lower than the guidelines limits, and the soil conditions (pH = 8) greatly reduced the metal mobility. Copper concentration in some of the cultivated area samples was higher than the limits, representing a possible stress factor for the microbial biodiversity and fauna. Our findings demonstrate that site-specific surveys are necessary before planning urban cultivation areas, and educating urban gardeners regarding sustainable cultivation techniques is a priority for a safe environment.

Association of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in a large group of asymptomatic hypertensive and normotensive adults and to examine its relation to the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. BACKGROUND: Both electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy predict an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, including cerebrovascular disease, but the mechanism of association is unknown. METHODS: Four hundred eighty-six (277 normotensive and 209 untreated hypertensive) adults, free of clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, were studied prospectively with echocardiography to determine left ventricular mass and carotid ultrasound to detect atherosclerosis and to measure common carotid artery dimensions. RESULTS: Carotid atherosclerosis was present in 16% of normotensive and 23% of hypertensive participants (p < 0.05) and was associated with older age, higher systolic and pulse pressures and larger left ventricular mass index ([mean +/- SD] 91 +/- 19 vs. 82 +/- 18 g/m2, p < 0.0001). The difference in mass persisted after adjustment for baseline differences in age and blood pressure. Subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy were twice as likely to have carotid atheromas (35% vs. 18%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analyses, including standard risk factors, indicated that only age and left ventricular mass index independently predicted the presence of carotid plaque, both in the entire study group and when normotensive and hypertensive subjects were considered separately. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the present study provides the first evidence that higher left ventricular mass as detected by echocardiography is associated with the presence of carotid plaque. The association between cardiac hypertrophy and systemic atherosclerosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of the high incidence of vascular events that is well documented in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.

Relation of arterial pressure waveform to left ventricular and carotid anatomy in normotensive subjects.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of the central arterial pressure waveform to left ventricular and carotid structure. BACKGROUND: The pressure waveform in the central arteries is affected by reflection of the pressure wave from the periphery. When reflected waves merge with the incident wave during systole, a late systolic peak and increment in systolic blood pressure are observed. The consequent increase in hemodynamic load may stimulate left ventricular and vascular adaptive changes. METHODS: Sixty-seven normotensive adults were studied by noninvasive techniques. Anatomy and function of the left ventricle and carotid artery were investigated by ultrasonography. Pressure waveforms were recorded by an external tonometer applied to the carotid artery, and waveform shape was expressed by the augmentation index, calculated from the difference between the maximal systolic pressure and that at the inflection between early and late systolic pressure peaks divided by the pulse pressure. Subjects were assigned to groups with a dominant early (group 1, augmentation index < or = 0) or dominant late systolic peak (group 2, augmentation index > 0). RESULTS: Left ventricular mass index was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, a difference that persisted after controlling for the confounding effects of gender, age and blood pressure. Carotid wall thickness and regional arterial stiffness were significantly increased in group 2, but differences disappeared in the analysis of covariance for age. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular and carotid artery structure are related to the shape of the central pressure waveform. Although the increase in left ventricular mass seen in subjects with a dominant late systolic peak pressure appears to be directly related to the shape of the pressure waveform, changes in the structural and physical properties of the carotid artery appear to be more closely related to the aging process.

Mitral valve dimensions and motion and familial transmission of mitral valve prolapse with and without mitral leaflet billowing.

To test the hypothesis that mitral valve prolapse may be due either to billowing of mitral leaflets into the left atrium or to dynamic expansion of the mitral anulus, mitral leaflet and annular dimensions and motion were measured by computer-assisted two-dimensional echocardiography in 35 normal adults and 48 subjects with auscultatory and M-mode echocardiographic evidence of mitral prolapse. Among normal subjects, mitral leaflet and annular dimensions tended to be larger compared with body size or left ventricular size in women than in men. Mitral leaflet billowing was observed in 24 (50%) of 48 patients with mitral prolapse and 0 of 35 normal subjects (100% specificity). The 24 patients without leaflet billowing had greater systolic expansion of the mitral anulus (p less than 0.0001) than did normal adults or patients with leaflet billowing (41 +/- 14% versus 27 +/- 12% and 22 +/- 11%, respectively) and a significantly lower body mass index (p less than 0.005 versus normal group). The ratio of anterior plus posterior mitral leaflet length to end-systolic annular diameter was lower in patients with prolapse without leaflet billowing than in normal subjects (1.09 +/- 0.12 versus 1.19 +/- 0.15, respectively, p less than 0.01) or patients with leaflet billowing (1.21 +/- 0.17, p less than 0.05). Among 35 relatives with mitral prolapse in the families of 23 patients with prolapse, the pattern was the same as in the proband in 31 (89%) (p less than 0.000002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relation of arterial structure and function to left ventricular geometric patterns in hypertensive adults.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to determine whether conduit artery structure and function vary according to the pattern of left ventricular adaptation to hypertension. BACKGROUND: Although left ventricular geometric pattern has been shown to predict cardiovascular events in hypertension, the arterial status in patients with the different patterns is unknown. METHODS: We evaluated arterial structure and function by carotid ultrasound and applanation tonometry in 271 unmedicated hypertensive patients classified by echocardiography as having normal ventricular geometry (n = 176), concentric remodeling (n = 54), concentric hypertrophy (n = 16) or eccentric hypertrophy (n = 25). RESULTS: All groups were similar in age, gender distribution and body size. Patients with concentric and eccentric hypertrophy had similar blood pressures (mean 173/100 and 171/99 mm Hg, respectively) and left ventricular mass, but compared with patients with normal left ventricular geometry and concentric remodeling, only those with concentric hypertrophy had increased arterial wall thickness (0.96 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.80 +/- 0.18 mm, p < 0.05), end-diastolic diameter (6.38 +/- 0.97 vs. 5.76 +/- 0.87 mm, p < 0.05), cross-sectional area (22.1 +/- 5.71 vs. 16.6 +/- 5.4 mm(1)2 p < 0.05) and elastic modulus (713 +/- 265 vs. 471 +/- 241 dynes/cm2 x 10(-5), p < 0.05). Patients with concentric remodeling and eccentric hypertrophy had similar values for these measures (0.85 +/- 0.22 and 0.89 +/- 0.21 mm, 5.67 +/- 0.77 and 6.04 +/- 0.44 mm, 17.2 +/- 5.4 and 19.7 +/- 5.9 mm2, 558 +/- 263 and 614 +/- 257 dynes/cm2 x 10(-6), respectively), despite lower systolic blood pressures in the former group (156/94 mm Hg, p < 0.001). The prevalence of plaque was comparable in patients with concentric (56%) and eccentric (42%) hypertrophy and significantly greater than that in patients [corrected] with normal geometry (21%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with generally mild, uncomplicated systemic hypertension, arterial structure and function are most abnormal when concentric left ventricular hypertrophy is present and may contribute to the more adverse outcome associated with this geometric pattern.

Relation of blood pressure variability to carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery and left ventricular hypertrophy.

The relationship of blood pressure (BP) variability to cardiovascular target-organ damage is controversial. Studies examining BP variability and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy have been contradictory, and only limited data on the relation of BP variability to carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery hypertrophy exist. BP variability was assessed as the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of awake and asleep pressures in 511 normotensive or untreated hypertensive subjects who underwent ambulatory BP monitoring and cardiac and carotid ultrasonography. Although the presence of focal carotid plaque was associated with an increase in ambulatory pressures and pressure variability, the differences in variability were eliminated by adjustment for age and absolute pressures. Similarly, LV mass was significantly related to BP variability, but the significance of this finding was eliminated after adjustment for important covariates. In multivariate analyses, age was the primary determinant of carotid artery cross-sectional area, with a weak but independent contribution from awake systolic and diastolic BP variability in addition to absolute pressure. BP variability was not independently related to either carotid or LV relative wall thickness, both measures of concentric remodeling. In the present study, awake BP variability was weakly but independently associated with carotid artery cross-sectional area, a measure of arterial hypertrophy. However, neither systolic nor diastolic BP variability was independently associated with carotid atherosclerotic plaque or LV mass.