Articles tagged with Carotid Artery
A study found that training on a virtual 'patient' improved carotid angiography skills in cardiologists, with reduced catheter errors and faster procedure times. The use of simulators provides an objective measure of performance, allowing for the tracking of individual trainees' progress and evaluation of their competence.
Women who consumed up to two drinks per day scored higher on the Mini Mental State Exam compared to non-drinkers or occasional drinkers. The study suggests moderate drinking is protective for women's cognition, contradicting previous research on large vessel atherosclerosis as a mediating factor.
A new study demonstrates significant improvements in exercise capacity and left ventricular ejection fraction for patients with advanced coronary artery disease after receiving bone marrow cell therapy. The treatment also shows promise in reducing chest pain and improving daily activities.
A landmark trial found that carotid stenting significantly reduces the risk of stroke in asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease, with a lower rate of major complications compared to medical therapy. The study also showed better outcomes for younger patients and no increased risk of undetected complications.
The study demonstrates that carotid artery stenting with formalized training has outcomes comparable to the pivotal SAPPHIRE trial. Preliminary data indicates a low stroke rate of 3.6% at 30 days for patients treated by trained physicians.
The stent-graft approach has been shown to result in less neck nerve injury and faster recovery compared to open neck surgery. This minimally invasive treatment can be performed under local anesthesia and allows patients to resume normal activities within two days.
A study of carotid artery stenting found that the procedure significantly improved cognitive speed and memory function in patients with impaired brain perfusion. The results suggest that stenting may offer benefits beyond reduced stroke risk for these patients.
Researchers developed a new technique using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy to identify plaque characteristics that contribute to weakening of the plaque. The technique was found to be 97 percent effective in identifying high-risk lesions, which are more likely to rupture and block blood supply.
Patients who received statin medication before carotid artery surgery experienced a three-fold lower stroke rate and five-fold lower mortality rate compared to those who did not. Statins may reduce the risk of stroke by reducing plaque fragmentation or clot formation, although the exact mechanism is unclear.
The SAPPHIRE and US carotid feasibility trials demonstrated the durability of carotid stenting, showing low incidence of stroke and comparable target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates between CAS and CEA. Emboli protection with ANGIOGUARD also showed effectiveness in preventing major strokes during carotid stenting.
The conference aims to develop a national registry system for complex procedures, focusing on data collection and analysis. The goal is to ensure patient safety and optimize treatment outcomes, with reliable data guiding treatment decisions.
The American Academy of Neurology updated its guideline to recommend carotid endarterectomy for patients with severe or moderate stenosis and recent symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Carotid endarterectomy may also be considered for patients without symptoms but with a high life expectancy.
A study of 1,234 stroke patients found that heart and neck scans were less commonly used in women than men, despite being crucial for preventing second strokes. Women were 36% less likely to receive an echo-cardiogram and 43% less likely to have carotid artery exams.
Researchers found that vitamin B12 deficiency was common among patients referred to vascular disease prevention clinics. Creatinine levels were also found to be a strong predictor of homocysteine levels, similar to vitamin B12 levels.
A study found that combining carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries increases the risk of post-operative stroke by 6.8%, compared to 1.8% in CABG alone. Experts believe further randomized trials are necessary to assess the appropriateness of this combined procedure.
A new study has found a direct association between periodontal bacteria and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The research, presented at the International Association for Dental Research, measured carotid artery thickness in subjects with high levels of periodontal-disease-causing bacteria.
A recent NIH study found a direct link between cardiovascular disease and four types of bacteria commonly found in periodontal infections. The study monitored 657 participants' oral bacteria and carotid thickness, revealing that the same bacteria were present throughout, suggesting a specific association.
A new study by UCI researchers found that carotid-artery plaques develop depressions called ulcerations that can lead to stroke-causing blood clots. Early detection and treatment of these plaques before ulceration growth may benefit people at risk for stroke.
A new study suggests that MDCT angiography can determine which patients with narrowed carotid arteries are at greater risk of having a stroke. Patients with calcified plaques were found to be 21 times less likely to have had symptoms than those with noncalcified plaques.
A new minimally invasive procedure using angioplasty and stenting is shown to be as effective as surgery in preventing strokes. The treatment involves widening the carotid artery to improve blood flow, with comparable rates of complications and a low rate of re-narrowing.
Researchers found that pioglitazone significantly reduced carotid artery thickness in just 12-24 weeks, while improving insulin resistance. This regression was independent from metabolic control improvements and correlated with better cardiovascular outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers recommend baseline ultrasound screenings for men and women at high risk of stroke. The study found that carotid endarterectomy can reduce stroke risk by half in people with narrowed arteries. Regular screenings may identify pre-clinical vessel disease, allowing for preventive measures to be taken.
A randomized trial found that pravastatin therapy reduced LDL-C levels by 24.1% and carotid intima-media thickness by regression in children with familial hypercholesterolemia. The study's findings suggest that statin treatment can reverse increased arterial wall thickness progression in these patients.
Researchers discovered a correlation between FDG uptake in PET scans and degree of plaque inflammation in patients with moderate to high-grade carotid stenoses. The study's findings offer hope for improving stroke risk prediction and developing new plaque-stabilizing drugs.
A recent study found that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) significantly reduces the risk of stroke among high-risk patients. The 5-year risk of stroke was around half for patients under 75 years old given CEA compared to those receiving no intervention. However, the benefits of immediate surgery may be short-lived, and ongoing follow-up i...
Researchers found that surgery to remove fatty deposits from narrowed vessels can significantly reduce stroke risk, with a 50% reduction in strokes among those who underwent the procedure. The study's results confirm previous findings and highlight the need for more adults to be screened for narrowed carotid arteries.
Researchers found that calcified plaques outside the cranium show symptoms less often and are more stable than noncalcified plaques. This finding can help determine the best treatment approach for patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.
Researchers found that radiation damages key receptors impacting blood pressure, leading to faulty repair of DNA breaks and cell death. A new study examines three cases where symptomatic baroreflex failure occurred as a late consequence of neck irradiation.
A study published in The Lancet found that timely surgery significantly reduces the risk of stroke in individuals with carotid stenosis. Benefit from surgery is greatest when performed within two weeks after a warning stroke, but rapidly declines with increasing delay. Early treatment is crucial due to the high risk of major stroke in ...
A study published in Circulation found that HIV infection is an independent predictor of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Aggressive treatment of high cholesterol, blood pressure, and other risk factors is crucial for HIV patients.
Researchers found HIV patients had significantly larger carotid IMT and higher rates of plaque build-up compared to uninfected controls. The study suggests HIV infection may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, with lowest CD4 counts associated with thickest artery walls.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has issued new recommendations for screening asymptomatic people for heart disease. However, evidence is insufficient to recommend EKG, treadmill tests, and CT scans for these groups. Additionally, hospice care may increase overall Medicare costs, but provide savings in certain cases with aggressiv...
Researchers have identified the optimal dosage of a bat-derived clot-buster for acute ischemic stroke treatment, finding a dose of 125 micrograms per kilogram to improve neurological function scores. Carotid artery screenings in seniors may also help prevent strokes and save billions of dollars in healthcare costs.
A new procedure, carotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS) with distal embolic protection (DEP), has shown zero neurological complications in a study involving 21 patients. The minimally invasive technique adapts techniques used to open heart vessels for brain arteries, significantly reducing risk of stroke and death compared to t...
Researchers are evaluating the effects of CRESTOR on atherosclerosis using cutting-edge imaging technologies like IVUS and MRI. The goal is to slow or even reverse the progression of this silent killer disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers studied carotid artery thickness in 1,662 men and women with a family history of premature coronary heart disease. The study found that those with at least one parent who had a heart attack before age 60 had thicker artery walls, associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
A high C-reactive protein (CRP) level is an independent risk factor for stroke, with higher levels more closely related to stroke in people with thicker artery walls. Elevated CRP may denote plaque instability, increasing the likelihood of a blood clot forming and causing a stroke.
A recent study found that patients who have already had a silent stroke are at an increased risk of having another devastating stroke. The study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, also found that diabetes and high cholesterol levels can increase this risk.
A study of 307 southern Italian women found that low vitamin E intake is associated with atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries, which are sites where early atherosclerosis begins. Vitamin E intake from legumes, vegetables, and olive oil may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
A new study found that walking at moderate pace for 40 minutes a day can restore elasticity of carotid artery in postmenopausal women by 48%. This benefit may explain the positive impact of regular aerobic exercise on cardiovascular health.
A study of German subjects found periodontal disease bacteria in carotid artery samples, supporting the 'infectious burden' hypothesis that oral infection plays a role in atherogenesis. The study also identified multiple types of bacteria, suggesting a complex relationship between gum disease and cardiovascular disease.
A portable ultrasound device has been developed to detect neck artery blockages with high accuracy. The device takes only 8.8 minutes to perform a comprehensive examination, compared to 30 minutes or longer for standard laboratory ultrasounds.
Researchers found that moderate alcohol consumption can lower arterial stiffness in people over 50, with the greatest benefit seen at older ages. The study, which examined data from 563 volunteers between 20 and 90 years old, suggests that a daily drink may be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
A new Cornell University study found that surgeons performing carotid endarterectomies who got their licenses 20 or more years ago had the highest mortality rate among their patients. The study also found a relation between the mortality of endarterectomy patients and the number of times surgeons performed the procedure.
Researchers found calcified plaque in 7.5% of participants, doubling risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those without plaque. This discovery moves towards using panoramic dental radiographs as a screening tool for all cardiovascular disease.
A study found that nearly 18% of people screened had significant blockages in their carotid arteries, which can lead to a stroke. Those with two or more risk factors, such as age over 65 or high cholesterol, are significantly more likely to have a blockage.
A long phone call led to a temporary vision loss and difficulty speaking in a French psychiatrist due to an unusually long styloid process. The patient's brain angiogram revealed a tear in the internal carotid artery, a common cause of strokes in young adults.
A large clinical trial found that amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, did not prevent the progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis but slowed it in the carotid arteries. Amlodipine significantly reduced angina pectoris and related procedures like bypass surgery.
Research finds that women experiencing hostility, anxiety and self-consciousness have thicker carotid arteries, an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Holding in anger or suppressing negative emotions may be key determinants of women's cardiovascular health.
A new ultrasound technique using transcranial Doppler and duplex carotid ultrasound can accurately measure carotid artery blockages, reducing the need for cerebral angiography and associated risks. This method is a safer alternative for assessing blockage before deciding on surgery for stroke prevention.
Researchers detected calcifications in the carotid arteries of 5% of new patients, with many having multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis. The findings suggest that routine dental X-rays could be a valuable tool in detecting patients at risk for stroke.
A computer model developed by researchers at WashU Medicine suggests that one-time carotid artery screening is beneficial for asymptomatic men with high-risk factors, preventing strokes at a relatively low cost. However, annual screening would be prohibitively expensive and may even increase stroke risk in low-risk individuals.