[Stenosis of the carotid artery in women with ischemic stroke and markers of inflammation]. / Stenozy karotidnykh arterii u zhenshchin s ishemicheskim insul'tom i markery vospaleniia.

AIM: To assess the relationship between the severity of stenosis of the carotid arteries, the level of female sex hormones and markers of subclinical inflammation in women with ischemic stroke (IS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and eleven women (mean age 68.9±9.23 years) were examined. A history of cardiovascular disease, previous cardiovascular events, type and subtype of stroke were recorded. Neurological status was assessed using neurological scales. Atherosclerosis was diagnosed by color duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries and laboratory testing (estradiol, markers of subclinical inflammation). RESULTS: Carotid artery stenosis of ≥50% was found in 13.3% of patients, less severe stenosis in 36.0%. Stenosis of ≥50% was positively correlated with the level of IL-18, TNF-alpha, and negatively correlated with the level of IL-6, IL-4, and MMSE score. In dynamics, there was a decrease in the level of TNF-alpha in all groups of patients, and an increase in the IL-4 level in women with carotid artery stenosis of ≥50%. CONCLUSION: Study of the influence of markers of subclinical inflammation on the atherosclerosis progression and recurrent disorders of cerebral circulation in women with IS should be continued.

[Clinical significance of the cardio-ankle vascular index in patients with stroke]. / Klinicheskoe znachenie otsenki serdechno-lodyzhechnogo sosudistogo indeksa u bol'nykh s ostrym narusheniem mozgovogo krovoobrashcheniya.

AIM: To study the clinical significance of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in patients with stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 374 post-stroke patients. The state of peripheral arteries was assessed using CAVI and the ankle-shoulder index (ASI). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pathological CAVI (>9.0) was identified in 45.4% patients, the reduced ASI (<0.9) in 19.8% patients. Stressful factors of daily life, hypodynamia, lack of work, low education were characteristic of the patients with pathological CAVI and ASI compared to those with normal CAVI. The frequency of diabetes mellitus, clinical signs of peripheral atherosclerosis, chronic heart failure and atrial fibrillation was higher in these patients as well. Ischemic stroke was more frequent in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis and higher vascular wall rigidity. Assessments of CAVI and ASI are necessary in patients with ischemic stroke to identify those with higher vascular wall rigidity and peripheral atherosclerosis and to undertake targeted preventive measures.