ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Brain ischemia may
affect hypothalamic-pituitary axis function, which may influence the outcomes of
patients with
internal carotid artery (ICA)
stenosis/occlusion. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of successful carotid revascularization on pituitary function in
patients with severe ICA
stenosis/occlusion.
METHODS:
This study was conducted from April 2009 to December 2014.
Patients receiving successful endovascular interventions for severe ICA
stenosis/occlusion were enrolled. The
patients were divided into 2 groups group 1 with abnormal ipsilateral cerebral
perfusion, and group 2 without. Endocrine profiles were measured before and > 1 year after the
procedure. Computed
tomography perfusion studies were used to assess
brain perfusion.
RESULTS:
Thirty-seven
patients received successful interventions. Three
patients were excluded due to re-
stenosis before 1 year. There were 23 and 11
patients in group 1 and 2, with mean ages of 68 and 69 years, respectively. In the
female patients, follicular stimulating
hormone (FSH) and
luteinizing hormone (LH) increased significantly (p = 0.043) after the interventions with a stable
estradiol level in group 1. In contrast, FSH, LH and
estradiol showed a decreasing trend in group 2. In the
male patients, FSH and LH increased significantly (p < 0.01) after the interventions with a stable
testosterone level in group 1, while
testosterone showed a decreasing trend in group 2.
Thyroid stimulating hormone increased significantly in the
women in both groups, and in the
men in group 1.
CONCLUSIONS:
Successful revascularization for severe ICA
stenosis/occlusion may improve their pituitary function, especially FSH and LH levels.
