vertebrobasilar insufficiency is the cause of cerebrovascular accidents in 20% of cases. there are few reports regarding spectral doppler indices (sdis) of vertebral arteries (vas) normal blood flow. the objective of this study was to provide basic reference data about sdis of vas normal blood flow separately and in comparison with internal carotid arteries (icas) and common carotid arteries (c...

BACKGROUND It is recognized that complicated plaque largely accounts for the morbidity and mortality from atherosclerosis. Ideally, investigation of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients would identify atheromatous plaques independently of stenosis. We have previously shown that a magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging (MRDTI) technique demonstrates complicated atheroma as high signal withi...

Carotid stenosis is generally associated with high risks of stroke and vascular events. In asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, with or without revascularization, optimal managements of carotid artery stenosis require the use of medications or lifestyle modifications (stopping smoking and monitoring hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes) to control the processes associated with atheroma ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We provide an assessment of clinical, angiographic, and procedure related risk factors associated with stroke and/or death in patients undergoing carotid artery stent placement which will assist in patient stratification and identification of high-stent risk patients. METHODS A comprehensive search of Medline from January 1st 1996 to December 31st 2011 was performed wit...

Background—Fibrous cap thickness (FCT) is an important determinant of atheroma stability. We evaluated the feasibility and potential clinical implications of measuring the FCT of internal carotid artery plaques with a new ultrasound system based on boundary detection by dynamic programming. Methods and Results—We assessed agreement between ultrasound-obtained FCT values and those measured histo...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES The effects of vitamin K-dependent proteins in bone mineralization and vascular calcification and the implication of vitamin K epoxide reductase gene (VKORC1) 1173C>T polymorphism in warfarin sensitivity are well known. The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between VKORC1 1173C>T polymorphism, bone mineral density (BMD), and atherosclerosis ...

Arterial baroreflex is a general mechanism maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis; its sensitivity is reduced in vascular calcification (VC). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment facilitates baroreflexive sensitivity in normal and hypertensive rats. Here, we aimed to detect the effect of H2S on baroreflexive sensitivity in rats with VC. The rat VC model was induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine for 4...

BACKGROUND Fibrous cap thickness (FCT) is an important determinant of atheroma stability. We evaluated the feasibility and potential clinical implications of measuring the FCT of internal carotid artery plaques with a new ultrasound system based on boundary detection by dynamic programming. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed agreement between ultrasound-obtained FCT values and those measured his...

Supplemental marine omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has an anti-atherosclerotic effect. Clinical research on EPA supplied by the regular diet and atherosclerosis is scarce. In the framework of the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 161 older individuals at high vascular risk grouped into different stages of carotid atherosclerosis sev...

Two major mechanisms are involved in cerebral ischemia (Mohr et al., 1997). Cerebral perfusion failure may occur as the result of flow reduction mediated by stenosis or occlusive vascular damage such as that arising from atheroma plaques that affect the carotid bulb. Perfusion failure affects the distal territories, and it is known as a watershed infarction. The second mechanism of cerebral isc...