Preventive effect of intermittent cerebrospinal fluid drainage for secondary chronic hydrocephalus after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of intermittent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage compared with that of continuous CSF drainage in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains undetermined to date. Therefore, we investigated whether intermittent CSF drainage is effective in reducing secondary chronic hydrocephalus (sCH) after aneurysmal SAH. METHODS: Overall, 204 patients (69 men and 135 women) treated for aneurysmal SAH between 2007 and 2022 were included in this study. Following SAH onset, 136 patients were managed with continuous CSF drainage, whereas 68 were managed with intermittent CSF drainage. Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the age-adjusted and multivariate odds ratios for the development of sCH. The Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to compare the effects of intermittent and continuous CSF drainage on sCH development. RESULTS: Overall, 96 patients developed sCH among the 204 patients with SAH. In total, 74 (54.4%) of the 136 patients managed with continuous CSF drainage developed sCH, whereas 22 (32.4%) of the 68 patients managed with intermittent CSF drainage developed sCH. This demonstrated that the rate of sCH development was significantly lower among patients managed with intermittent CSF drainage. Compared with continuous CSF drainage, intermittent CSF drainage exhibited a multivariate odds ratio (95% confidential interval) of 0.25 (0.11-0.57) for sCH development. Intermittent CSF drainage was more effective (0.20, 0.04-0.95) in patients with severe-grade SAH than in those with mild-grade SAH (0.33, 0.12-0.95). Intermittent CSF drainage was ineffective in patients with acute hydrocephalus (8.37, 0.56-125.2), but it was effective in patients without acute hydrocephalus (0.11, 0.04-0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with continuous CSF drainage, intermittent drainage is more effective in reducing sCH after aneurysmal SAH. Although intermittent drainage was ineffective in cases of co-occurrence of acute hydrocephalus, it was effective in reducing sCH development regardless of the severity of initial symptoms at SAH onset.

Japanese nationwide questionnaire survey on delayed cerebral infarction due to vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background and purpose: Various prophylactic drugs for cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have been used in Japan. To investigate the treatment trends for cerebral vasospasm and frequency of DCI after SAH throughout Japan in 2021. Methods: In 2021 we conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey on management for preventing cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH, and the frequency of DCI. The questionnaire was emailed to 955 certified neurosurgeons at 553 hospitals in Japan. Of them, 162 hospitals (29% response rate) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 158 were included in this study, while four hospitals that responded insufficiently were excluded. The efficacy of treatments for reducing DCI were examined through a logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 3,093 patients treated with aneurysmal SAH, 281 patients (9.1%) were diagnosed with DCI related to cerebral vasospasm. Coil embolization had significantly lower DCI frequency (6.9%), compared to microsurgical clipping (11.8%, odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidential intervals, 0.84-0.96; P, 0.007). In addition, cilostazol administration was associated with significantly lower DCI frequency (0.48; 0.27-0.82; 0.026). The efficacy of cilostazol in reducing DCI remained unchanged after adjustment for covariates. The most effective combination of multiple prophylactic drugs in reducing DCI related to cerebral vasospasm was cilostazol, fasudil, and statin (0.38; 0.22-0.67; 0.005). Conclusions: This study elucidated the trends in prophylactic drugs to prevent cerebral vasospasm and frequency of DCI after aneurysmal SAH in Japan. Coil embolization and cilostazol administration showed effectiveness in reducing DCI related to cerebral vasospasm in 2021.

Secular trends and features of thalamic hemorrhages compared with other hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhages: an 18-year single-center retrospective assessment.

Introduction: Trends regarding the locations of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhages are unclear. To clarify hypertensive hemorrhage trends, we investigated intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) over an 18-year period, focusing on thalamic hemorrhages compared with other sites of hemorrhages. Methods: We reviewed the cases of patients hospitalized for hypertensive ICH in 2004-2021 at our hospital; 1,320 eligible patients were registered with a primary ICH/intraventricular hemorrhage. After exclusion criteria were applied, we retrospectively analyzed 1,026 hypertensive ICH cases. Results: The proportions of thalamic and subcortical hemorrhages increased over the 18-year period, whereas putaminal hemorrhage decreased. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that for thalamic hemorrhage, ≥200 mmHg systolic blood pressure (p = 0.031), bleeding <15 mL (p = 0.001), and higher modified Rankin scale (mRS) score ≥ 4 at discharge (p = 0.006) were significant variables in the late period (2013-2021) versus the early period (2004-2012), whereas for putaminal hemorrhage, significant factors in the late period were triglyceride <150 mg/dL (p = 0.006) and mRS score ≥ 4 at discharge (p = 0.002). Among the features of the thalamic hemorrhages in the late period revealed by our group comparison with the putaminal and subcortical hemorrhages, the total and subcortical microbleeds were more notable in the thalamic hemorrhages than in the other two types of hemorrhage, whereas cerebellar microbleeds were more prominent when compared only with subcortical hemorrhages. Discussion: Our findings revealed an increasing trend for thalamic hypertensive hemorrhage and a decreasing trend for putaminal hemorrhage. The thalamic hemorrhage increase was observed in both young and older patients, regardless of gender. The main features of thalamic hemorrhage in the late period versus the early period were decrease in larger hemorrhage (≥15 mL) and an increase in cases with higher systolic blood pressure (at least partially involved a small number of untreated hypertensive patients who developed major bleeding). The total and subcortical microbleeds were more notable in the thalamic hemorrhages of the late period than in the putaminal and subcortical hemorrhages. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the recent trends of hypertensive ICHs and may help guide their appropriate treatments for this condition.

Balloon Test Occlusion of the Carotid Artery: Internal Validation of Predictive Results.

AIM: To develop a protocol of balloon test occlusion (BTO) to perform single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) only in cases that require it by using mean stump pressure (MSTP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: BTO was performed in 52 consecutive patients (derivation group). Using the derivation group data, a protocol was created and applied to 55 consecutive patients (validation group). RESULTS: In the derivation group, all patients with MSTP ≥65 mmHg had an ischemic tolerance, whereas those with MSTP ?45 mmHg were considered ischemic intolerant. Based on these results, we developed a protocol wherein MSTP between 45 mmHg and 65 mmHg was defined as "ischemic borderzone" and SPECT was performed in these cases. Using this protocol, BTO was performed in the validation group and 19 patients were treated with parent artery occlusion with or without bypass. In two cases that did not follow the protocol, the occurrence of hypoperfusion caused cerebral infarction after treatment. However, if this protocol had been followed for all cases, no false-negative cases of BTO would have occurred. CONCLUSION: By measuring MSTP and identifying the approximate ischemic tolerability, the current protocol can identify cases requiring SPECT, which is particularly reliable but complicated. Moreover, this protocol would be especially useful for reducing false-negative cases of BTO.

Differential Methylation Signatures in Severely Calcified Carotid Plaques by Genome-Wide Comprehensive Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The precise cellular behaviors of calcification, including its molecular and genetic activities, have not yet been fully established for carotid plaques. OBJECTIVE: We sought specific genes with tissue-specific differential methylation associated with carotid calcification status. METHODS: We classified eight plaques from carotid endarterectomy patients as high- or low-calcified based on their Agatston calcium scores. We analyzed differential DNA methylation and performed bioinformatics data mining. RESULTS: A high correlation of average methylation levels (ß-values) in promoter regions between high- and low-calcified plaque groups was observed. A principal component analysis of DNA methylation values in promoters of specimens revealed two independent clusters for high- and lowcalcified plaques. Volcano plots for methylation differences in promoter regions showed that significantly hypomethylated probes were more frequently found for high-calcified plaques than more methylated probes. Differential hypomethylation of receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) in high-calcified plaques was commonly extracted in both the promoter region and the cytosinephosphate- guanine (CpG) island shore region, where differential methylation had been reported to be more tissue-specific. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis annotated a pathway associated with vascular smooth muscle contraction in the differentially methylated genes of the promoter and CpG island shore regions in high-calcified plaques. CONCLUSION: Among the extracted differentially methylated genes, hypomethylated genes were more dominant than more methylated genes. The augmentation of RAMP1 by hypomethylation may contribute to the enhancement of anti-atherosclerotic effects and hence stability in high-calcified plaques. These results contribute to our understanding of the genetic signatures associated with calcification status and cellular activity in carotid plaques.

Profile of genetic variations in severely calcified carotid plaques by whole-exome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanisms of carotid calcification and its clinical significance have not been established. METHODS: We classified ten plaques from carotid endarterectomy patients into high- and low-calcified plaques based on the Agatston calcium scores. We performed whole-exome sequencing for genetic profiles with single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions, and deletions. Bioinformatic data mining was then conducted to disclose specific gene variations to either high- or low-calcified carotid plaques. RESULTS: In the carotid plaques, G:C>A:T/C:G>T:A transitions as SNVs, insT after C/insC after A as insertions, and delA after G/delT after C as deletions were most frequently observed, but no significant difference was observed between the high- and low-calcified plaque groups in their proportion of base-pair substitution types. In the bioinformatic analysis, SNVs of ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (ADCC6) were more commonly found in high-calcified plaques and SNVs of KLKB1 were more commonly found in low-calcified plaques compared to the other group. No new genetic variants related to calcification or atherosclerosis among those not registered in dbSNP was detected. CONCLUSION: Our findings clarified the features of base-pair substitutions in carotid plaques, showing no relation to calcification. However, genetic variants in ADCC6 relating to vascular calcification for high-calcified plaques, and in KLKB1 encoding kallikrein associated with vascular regulation of atherosclerosis for low-calcified plaques were more specifically extracted. These results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of molecular activity and calcium formation in carotid plaques.

Is Precise Targeting of the Recipient Artery in a Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Anastomosis Crucial?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in treatment outcomes according to the method used to select the recipient artery in superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomoses. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 35 patients who underwent an STA-MCA anastomosis for internal carotid artery/MCA occlusion or stenosis. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the recipient artery was precisely targeted by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT group) or less precisely targeted by visual assessment (Visual group). Then the bypass results in both groups were evaluated postoperatively based on changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The delineated recipient artery in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) matched the intraoperatively selected artery in 87.6% of the SPECT group cases and 83.3% of the Visual group cases. The SPECT group's digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings coincided with the intraoperative selection in 76.9% of cases, and the MRA findings corresponded with the DSA findings in 92.3%. The postoperative areas with increased rCBF matched the perfused areas of intraoperatively selected arteries in 80.0% of the SPECT group cases and 77.8% of the Visual group cases. Postoperatively increased rCBF areas matching totally or partially with preoperative low-perfusion areas were observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present results revealed no significant differences in the change in rCBF in the low-perfusion area between the patients whose recipient arteries were selected by SPECT or visual assessment.

Association of Superficial Temporal Artery Dilatation with Headache After Revascularization in Adult Moyamoya Disease.

BACKGROUND: The underlying mechanisms of headache in adult moyamoya disease (MMD) are not clear. The aim of this study is to clarify the factors that are associated with headache in adult patients with MMD after superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 68 adult patients with MMD: 30 with surgery and 38 without surgery. Each STA-MCA anastomosis was performed by the standard technique. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and single photon emission computed tomography were performed perioperatively. We stratified the intensity and frequency of the patients' headaches into 4 ranks. Pre- and postoperative STA diameters were retrospectively measured on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and/or MRA. RESULTS: In the surgery group, preoperative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) laterality and a postoperative rCBF increase >20% showed no significant difference between the patients with and without headache with a univariate analysis. The postoperative STA diameters of the distal branch (DSA) and main trunk (DSA/MRA) in the patients with headache were significantly larger than those of the patients without headache. The rate of postoperative increase of the STA diameters of the distal branch/main trunk was also significantly higher in the patients with headache than those without headache. A multivariate analysis showed that the standard regression coefficient ß for sex, a >20% increase of postoperative rCBF, and the increase rate of the STA diameter of the distal branch shown by DSA was 0.37, 0.54, and 0.56, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our analyses revealed that aside from ischemia, the postoperative increase rate of the STA may be a candidate reason for headache, especially in adult patients with MMD.

Differential Expression of microRNAs in Severely Calcified Carotid Plaques.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) alteration is related to the presence of calcification in carotid plaques. METHODS: We classified 10 plaques from carotid endarterectomy patients into high- and low-calcified plaques based on Agatston calcium scores. A microarray analysis for miRNA profiles was performed, with validation by a miRNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The miRNA microarray identified 697 probes; 657 of them were downregulated. We selected the genes that satisfied total gene signal (TGS) >50, |Log2 ratio| > 1 and ≥1 of the following: (1) false discovery rate (FDR) <.05 in the comparison of mean values of logarithmic transformed signals between the groups; (2) .05 ≤ FDR < .1 and showing either high or median for context score+ in miRSearch among the 72 carefully selected genes related to angiogenesis or calcification; and (3) FDR < .1 in the comparison of 10 individual sets of high- and low-calcified plaques. The expression of miRNA validated by qRT-PCR revealed a significant downregulation of hsa-miR-4530, hsa-miR133b, and hsa-miR-1-3p. A Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the logarithmic TGSs for the microarray of hsa-miR-4530 and hsa-miR-133b were significantly inversely correlated with the carotid plaques' calcium scores, and the delta Cq values for the qRT-PCR showed a direct association. CONCLUSIONS: In high-calcified carotid plaques, a specific profile for miRNA may be identified, and the expressions of hsa-miR-4530 and hsa-miR-133b had inverse correlations with the calcium score in the plaques, suggesting that miRNAs may play a modulating role in calcified plaques and plaque stability.

Calcification in original plaque and restenosis following carotid artery stenting.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between calcification in primary plaque and recurrent stenosis after carotid artery stenting (CAS) is not established, but an inverse association with restenosis following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been suggested. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 75 plaques of 109 consecutive CAS with regard to calcification, using the calcium score and shape, location, and other characteristics of original plaques together with stenting-related factors. CAS was performed in a standard fashion with an embolic protection device. Greater-than-moderate restenosis (≥50%) was assessed by peak systolic velocity (PSV) with duplex ultrasonography (≥130 cm/s, internal/common carotid or distal/proximal PSV ratio ≥2.0). RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed percentages of dyslipidemia treated with statins (P = 0.03), calcification in distal ICA (P = 0.02), and immediate residual stenosis (P = 0.02) were significantly higher in patients with greater-than-moderate restenosis, whereas calcification in carotid bulb and usage of open-cell stent were rather less frequent (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rarity of calcification in carotid bulb was a sole independent predictor for greater-than-moderate recurrent carotid stenosis 1 year after CAS (OR = 0.21, CI = 0.06-0.77, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium score was not significantly related to restenosis at 1 year after CAS, as was previously found following CEA, though scarcity of calcification in carotid bulb was suggested as a predictor of in-stent restenosis. Compared to post-CEA restenosis, carotid plaque calcification may be inversely but tenuously associated with recurrent stenosis 1 year post-CAS. No other stenting factors (e.g., stent design, pre-/post-dilation, or protection devices) showed a significant association with recurrent stenosis post-CAS.

Analysis of Recurrent Stenosis After Carotid Endarterectomy Featuring Primary Plaque Calcification.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between calcification in primary plaque and restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been seldom investigated. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between characteristics of calcified carotid plaque and recurrent stenosis after CEA, as well as the disease's natural course. METHODS: Ninety-four plaques out of 107 consecutive CEAs were retrospectively analyzed with regard to calcification, employing calcium score as well as shape, location, and other characteristics of original plaques. CEA was performed in a standard fashion with primary closure using an internal shunt. Restenosis was assessed by direct measurement of stenosis mainly using multidetector row computed tomography (CT) angiography. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that calcium score and calcification circularity score were significantly lower in more than moderate restenosis (≥50%; 422.1 ± 551.6 vs 84.2 ± 92.0, P < .001; 1.8 ± 1.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.3, P < .001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated a calcium score of 80, which was the optimal cutoff value for restenosis over 50% (sensitivity 0.70, specificity 0.68, pseudopositive ratio 0.32, area under curve 0.71, Youden's index 0.38). Low calcium score (OR 2.88, CI 1.06-7.79, P = .04) and low calcification circularity (OR 5.72, CI 1.42-23.1, P = .01) were independent predictors for more than moderate recurrent carotid stenosis 1 year postoperatively. Cases with decreasing tendency of restenosis showed higher calcium scores than those with increasing or unchanged tendency (217.2 ± 245.3 vs 164.5 ± 155.5, P < .001). Lower calcium score cases showed lower restenosis-free survival. CONCLUSION: Carotid plaque calcification may be inversely associated with recurrent stenosis 1 year after CEA or later. Preoperative CT assessment for less calcification will benefit restenosis patients by early prediction and close follow-up.

Calcified carotid plaques show double symptomatic peaks according to agatston calcium score.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanism of carotid calcification formation and its clinical significance including the difference in outcomes compared with coronary artery have not been clearly elucidated yet. We applied the calcium score for analyzing carotid plaque calcification in focus on its relationship with symptoms and discuss the difference in transitional patterns and the clinical outcome in comparison with calcified coronary plaques. METHODS: Multidetector row computed tomography angiography was performed preoperatively to determine the Agatston calcium score, volume score, and Hounsfield values for a total of 330 carotid arteries from 194 patients. Analysis focused on the relation of "the symptomatic rate" to calcium score, volume score, and Hounsfield value as well as the characteristics of calcified plaques and coexisting diseases. The symptomatic rate of carotid artery plaques in each range of the index was calculated as the percentage of the number of carotid arteries with plaques, which elicited symptoms of the contralateral limbs or the ipsilateral retina to the whole number of carotid arteries with plaques within the range. RESULTS: Calcified carotids with low symptomatic rate (<40%) tended to have calcification with significantly high calcium scores, high volume scores and mean/maximum Hounsfield values, high circularities, outer positions, positive remodeling, and carotid bulb/common carotid locations by univariate analysis, whereas high maximum Hounsfield value, high circularity, and outer position of calcification were significant independent predictors of low-symptomatic calcified carotid plaques by multivariate logistic regression analysis. When analyzed by calcium score, the rates for symptomatic carotids showed double peaks at calcium scores around 200-400 and 600-800 with a dip at 400-600. Significant independent predictors of low symptomatic carotid artery were high maximum Hounsfield value (odds ratio [OR], 5.70; P = .005), calcification encircling the carotid perimeter (OR, 7.18; P = .005), and the calcium location in the common carotid artery (OR, 6.62; P = .006) in comparing groups with low (0-400) and medium (400-600) calcium scores, whereas a high volume score (OR, .01; P = .003) alone was a significant independent determinant in the comparison between groups with high (600-1000) and medium calcium scores. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic rates of carotid plaque calcification were demonstrated to show double peaks with increasing calcium score and represent different features. Assessment of the 2 calcium-score parts might be helpful for appropriate comprehension of symptomatology and the complex process of carotid plaque calcification. We report a hypothesis for the mechanisms of the 2 different sections.

Depiction of the vasa vasorum during carotid endarterectomy by intraoperative videoangiography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the depiction of the carotid artery by fluorescein sodium (FS) videoangiography compared with indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography, focusing on how the vasa vasorum of the carotid artery is depicted. METHODS: Thirty-five patients (19 FS patients, 16 ICG patients, mean age 69.4 ± 5.1 years, mean degree of stenosis 78.7% ± 11.7%) who underwent a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were enrolled. FS (5-6 mg/kg) or ICG (.2-.3 mg/kg) was injected intravenously as a bolus before the arterectomy during the CEA. The intravascular fluorescence signal was recorded with a digital video camera integrated on a microscope. Magnetic resonance imaging black-blood (BB) T1-weighted imaging (WI) was preoperatively performed using a 1.5-T whole-body imager, and the signal intensity ratio relative to the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle on BB-T1WI (BB-SIR) was calculated. We also performed an immunohistochemistry study using CD31 and CD68 antibodies for plaque specimens. RESULTS: In the FS videoangiography series, the vasa vasorum of carotid adventitia was depicted first, followed by augmentation of FS of the wall and partially the inner lumen (pattern A) in 6 cases. Augmentation of FS of the wall and inner lumen prior or simultaneous to the depiction of the vasa vasorum of the carotid adventitia (pattern B) were observed in 13 cases. The average BB-SIR value of the pattern B cases was significantly higher than that in the pattern A group (P < .05). Most of the plaques with BB-SIR values higher than 1.25 also belonged to the pattern B group (90.9%). Microvessels stained by CD31 and macrophages stained by CD68 were more frequently observed in the high-BB-SIR plaques. In contrast, the ICG videoangiography uniformly showed pattern B in all 16 cases, because of the fluorolucency of the carotid wall revealed by the ICG. CONCLUSIONS: The early depiction of adventitial vasa vasorum in FS videoangiography was inversely associated with the BB-SIR values of the plaques, along with many microvessels and macrophages that have been reported to have a tendency of intraplaque hemorrhage or symptoms. The present results may support the idea of an intimal origin of the neovascularization in vulnerable carotid plaques, and they demonstrated the potential of intraoperative plaque imaging by FS videoangiography.

Surgical treatment for carotid stenoses with highly calcified plaques.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify both the present status of treatment for carotid stenosis with highly calcified plaques and the appropriate treatment. METHODS: A total of 140 consecutive treatments for carotid stenoses (carotid endarterectomy [CEA]:carotid artery stenting [CAS] 81:59) were enrolled in the study. We classified the patients into low-calcified plaque (LCP) and high-calcified plaque (HCP) groups by calcium score, determined by a receiver operating characteristic analysis, and we compared the results after both treatments. RESULTS: The mean degree of residual stenosis and improvement rates of the stenosis after CAS for the HCP group were 9.7% ± 13.3% and 87.0% ± 16.8%, respectively, whereas those for the LCP group were 1.7% ± 6.1% and 97.9% ± 7.9% (both P < .001). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the calcium score was an independent pre-CAS predictor of residual stenosis. Restenosis at 6 months was observed frequently in the HCP group after both CAS and CEA (18.8% and 20.0%, respectively). Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome was observed in 2 cases of CAS, 1 for each plaque group. The 30-day and 6-month rates for any stroke or death after CAS were 2.3% and 12.5% for the LCP and HCP groups, respectively, whereas those after CEA were 1.6% and 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid stenoses with HCP (calcium score ≥420) treated by CAS showed a disadvantage in the degree of stent expansion compared to carotid stenoses with LCP, suggesting that CEA may be recommended as a surgical option.

Upregulation of ANGPTL4 messenger RNA and protein in severely calcified carotid plaques.

BACKGROUND: In carotid atherosclerotic lesions, calcified plaques are thought to be stable and to evoke very few symptoms. However, the molecular activity in calcified plaques and their clinical significance have not been fully clarified yet. METHODS: Carotid plaques from 18 endarterectomy patients were classified into high- and low-calcified plaques on the basis of Agatston calcium score. Twelve plaques were investigated for the alteration of gene expression by microarray analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 6 other plaques underwent protein assessment to elucidate the difference in molecular biological activity between the groups. RESULTS: Microarray analysis demonstrated 93 angiogenesis or growth factor-related transcripts that are reliably expressed (175 probe sets). Among them, angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) expression was significantly elevated, whereas fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) expression was significantly suppressed. Quantitative messenger RNA analysis was performed with real-time PCR. Augmented or decreased protein expression of each gene was confirmed by Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: In high-calcified plaques, ANGPTL4 might be upregulated for antiangiogenic modulating function together with the downregulation of FGFR2, contributing to the stability of the plaques.

Comparison of internal shunts during carotid endarterectomy under routine shunting policy.

We compared patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) using two-way and three-way internal shunts and discussed which shunt was more appropriate and effective for surgeons. Eighty-two patients (mean 69.5 ± 6.1 years old, mean degrees of stenosis 79.6 ± 10.4%) who had undergone CEA by our routine shunting policy were examined concerning the difference of Sundt and Pruitt-Inahara (P-I) shunts in clinical use. Carotid clamping time for the P-I shunt was over 2 minutes longer than that by Sundt in either split or conventional continuous arteriotomy (p < 0.001). The proportions of cases with multiple trials of either arteriotomy or insertion of a shunt tube, cases detected more than one high-intensity spot on diffusion-weighted images of magnetic resonance imaging after CEA, and cases detected postoperative intimal flaps detected by multi-detector CT angiography showed no significant differences between the two shunt groups. The two-way Sundt shunt was quicker than the three-way P-I shunt in placement with no remarkable problems. Split arteriotomy was not useful in shortening the placement time for either Sundt or P-I shunt tubes, compared with continuous arteriotomy. A simple two-way shunt with easy handling like the Sundt shunt would be also appropriate to choose in selective shunting under the unfamiliarity of treating shunts.

Negative pressure wound therapy for a large skin ulcer following repair of huge myeloschisis with kyphosis in a newborn.

BACKGROUND: In surgery of repair for spina bifida, various skin plastic techniques are sometimes necessary due to large skin defect or subsequent ulcers in cases when approximation on the midline is difficult. CASE REPORT: A baby was born with a large skin defect due to huge lumbar myeloschisis and kyphosis, which was repaired 2 days after birth using Limberg's skin flap at the peak of kyphosis. Skin ischemia around the tip of the flap gradually enlarged and resulted in a large skin ulcer. We performed negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using a Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.®) therapy system for 4 weeks which shrank the ulcer remarkably. Subsequently, a pedicle skin flap without graft was performed to cover the rest of the ulcer, which adapted well without CSF leakage postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A combination treatment of NPWT and skin plastic surgery was successfully performed for a very young infant with spina bifida. NPWT could be another useful option for the treatment of ulcer following spina bifida repair surgery, though surgeons should carefully confirm that there is no CSF leakage before and during the procedure.

Protection by physical activity against deleterious effect of smoking on carotid intima-media thickness in young Japanese.

BACKGROUND: The hazardous effects of smoking and the favorable influence of physical activity on the progression of atherosclerosis have been well studied, but little is known about the interactions of these 2 factors. METHODS: A total of 1090 subjects who were screened for brain disease (at annual medical checkups) between April 2007 and March 2008 were studied to clarify the effects of smoking on maximum carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with different grades of physical activity. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate relationships between maximum IMT and independent variables, such as smoking status, age, gender, coexisting disease, physical activity, alcohol drinking, family history, subjective symptoms, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed only the low physical activity group to have a significant relationship between smoking and maximum IMT. When the subjects were divided into 3 age groups (≤49, 50-59, and ≤60 years of age, respectively), the same association was noted for high and moderate physical activity groups ≤49 years of age. Multivariate analysis further revealed smoking status to be a significant predictor of maximum IMT in the young low and moderate activity groups. CONCLUSIONS: In physically inactive young people, smoking might have detrimental effects on maximum IMT, while high physical activity may be protective.

Usefulness of dual and fully automated measurements of cerebral blood flow during balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to show the reliability of fully automated quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in balloon occlusion test (BOT) of the internal carotid artery (ICA). We also shows the usefulness of ratio of rCBF during BOT to rCBF at rest (BOT/rest ratio = rCBF during BOT/rCBF at rest) rather than asymmetry index (AI) during BOT (AI = occluded-side rCBF/contralateral rCBF). METHODS: In the last 2 years, we performed the BOT on 10 consecutive patients (4 with intracranial aneurysms and 6 with head and neck tumors). During the BOT, mean stump pressure (MSTP) of the ICA was monitored. We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) with technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single-photon emission computed tomography at rest and during BOT. rCBF was determined using 3-dimensional stereotaxic region of interest template (3DSRT) which automatically divided CBF into 12 segments. We defined hypoperfusion segment as BOT/rest ratio <0.9 or AI <0.9. RESULTS: When the BOT/rest ratio was used as a hypoperfusion parameter, the number of hypoperfusion segments was significantly greater in patients with an MSTP ≤50 mm Hg than in patients with an MSTP >50 mm Hg. However, only AI during BOT did not reflect MSTP significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of CBF changes in BOT using 3DSRT and the BOT/rest ratio were useful because of objective comparison.