1. Case Series from the Study of Potential Correlation Between IVUS of the Carotid Arteries and Neurotrophins.
- Author
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Yaneva--Sirakova, T., Zlatancheva, G., Traykov, L., Karamfiloff, K., Hristova, J., Shumkova, M., Marchev, S., and Vassilev, D.
- Subjects
ATHEROSCLEROTIC plaque ,NEUROTROPHINS ,CAROTID artery ,CAROTID artery diseases ,INTRAVASCULAR ultrasonography ,CARDIOVASCULAR diseases risk factors - Abstract
There is certain discordance between the functional (hemodynamic) and imaging methods for assessing the characteristics of the atherosclerotic plaques. It would be of practical value to find if there was a correlation between neurotrophins -- brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), neuronal growth factor (NGF) and carotid plaque morphology. Aim: To make a first attempt to combine biochemical and morphological markers to better assess the risk of carotid plaques. Material and Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients (Eastern European -- Caucasian race, 9 males and 4 females; mean age 73.08±7.65 years) with angiographically proven significant carotid atherosclerotic stenoses, referred for carotid stenting were evaluated. Plaque morphology was evaluated with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and virtual histology (VH). Serum concentrations of BDNF and NGF were tested and their results compared with a control group of 17 individuals without documented clinically significant atherosclerotic disease, carotid pathology, or cardiovascular risk factors. Results: The patients with significant carotid stenoses had lower mean BDNF values than the reference group (Eastern European, Caucasian race). There was a negative correlation between luminal diameter and BDNF (p=0.049; r=-0.605), and positive correlation between: total Ca2+ area (mm2) and BDNF (r=0.681, p=0.021), proximal Ca2+area and BDNF (p=0.007, r=0.784), fibro-fatty area and total calcium area and NGF (p=0.001). The results of carotid IVUS and VH measurements and serum BDNF and NGF concentrations in patients with carotid stenoses compared to patients without carotid artery disease are discussed. Both groups were free of acute vascular incident in other vascular territories. Conclusion: Preliminary results from a small case series study with intravascular ultrasound and serum levels of BDNF and NGF established a potentially meaningful clinical association between carotid atherosclerosis and neurotrophins, necessitating future expansion of the studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024