Power of zero stronger than “soft” plaque

Background: Population-based studies have shown good correlation between severity of atherosclerotic disease in one arterial bed and involvement of other vessels. However, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), it remains unclear whether atherosclerotic plaque in an artery might regress or progress in parallel with other vessels. Accordingly, the present study was performed in patients with CAD to compare changes in plaque volume (PV) between the left main (LMT) and right coronary arteries (RCA), thoracic descending aorta (TDA) and common carotid artery (CCA), and to clarify clinical factors and biomarkers which might affect changes in PV in each artery. Methods: Using 64-multislice computed tomography, PVs in each artery were determined before and after 2.0-year follow-up period in 52 patients with CAD (67.4±9.9yo). Based on our previous study using ultrasound, CCA-PV was determined at windows of 90–240HU and TDA-PV determined manually. Coronary soft plaque was determined at windows of 0–75HU. Plasma levels of hsCRP, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 α (PGF) were determined at baseline. Results: At baseline, PVs of TDA were correlated with CCA-PV (r=0.38, p<0.02), but PVs of other arteries did not correlate to each other. Two-year later, PVs of LMT, RCA, TDA, and CCA were reduced in 41, 62, 27, and 39% of patients, respectively. Changes in LMT-PV were weakly related with those of TDA-PV (r=0.37, p=0.02) and RCA-PV (r=0.31, p=0.08), but there were no relation between other arteries. The multivariate analysis revealed that treatment with statin and low LDL-cholesterol (C, <100mg/dl) were independent variables regarding a reduction in DTA-PV, but, in LMT, only low LDL-C was independent variable. However, there were no independent variables in RCA or CCA. The ratio of soft PV to total PV was similar between LMT (45.2±7.1%) and RCA (45.7±4.9%) at baseline and was unchanged in the follow-up study. None of hsCRP, MMP-9 or PGF levels was related with PVs of any arteries at baseline and with changes in PVs. Conclusions: Regression of PV in one arterial bed dose not necessarily allow us to predict atherosclerotic changes in the other vessels. Major factors which affect changes in PV may not be homogeneous between arteries.

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In vitro measurement of CT density and estimation of stenosis related to coronary soft plaque at 100kV and 120kV on ECG-triggered scan

European Journal of Radiology ◽

10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.08.002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 77 (2) ◽

pp. 294-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jun Horiguchi ◽

Chikako Fujioka ◽

Masao Kiguchi ◽

Hideya Yamamoto ◽

Yun Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Plaque ◽

Ct Density

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Elemental Analysis of Soft Plaque and Calcified Plaque Deposits from Human Coronary Arteries and Aorta

Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A ◽

10.1081/ese-120037848 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 1487-1496 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. I. Murungi ◽

S. Thiam ◽

R. E. Tracy ◽

J. W. Robinson ◽

I. M. Warner

Keyword(s):

Coronary Arteries ◽

Elemental Analysis ◽

Calcified Plaque ◽

Soft Plaque

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Carotid Thrombosis in a Crack Cocaine Smoker Woman

Case Reports in Vascular Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/4894825 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Mattia Cosenza ◽

Luigi Panza ◽

Anna Paola Califano ◽

Carolina Defendini ◽

Maria D’Andria ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Middle Cerebral Artery ◽

Cerebral Artery ◽

Crack Cocaine ◽

Anticoagulant Treatment ◽

Carotid Ultrasound ◽

Upper Arm ◽

Case Presentation ◽

Ultrasound Studies ◽

Soft Plaque

Introduction. We report a case of stroke in a crack smoker with occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and a large thrombus in the carotid artery. Case Presentation. A 34-year-old female presented with left upper arm weakness, associated with paresthesia with onset of symptoms more than 24 hours before. Angio-RM sequences showed an area of ischemia, with occlusion of the M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery. Carotid ultrasound showed a soft plaque with distal end floating. Anticoagulant treatment was started, and seriated ultrasound evaluations showed its gradual dissolution. Conclusions. In atherothromboembolic stroke from carotid thrombosis, repeated ultrasound studies may be useful for either diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy.

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Oral Hygiene Index in Early Childhood Caries, Before and After Topical Fluoride Treatment

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2018.070 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 378-383

Author(s):

Olga Ratko Kokoceva-Ivanovska ◽

Olivera Sarakinova ◽

Efka Zabokova-Bilbilova ◽

Aneta Nikola Mijoska ◽

Natasha Stavreva

Keyword(s):

Oral Hygiene ◽

Early Childhood Caries ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Deciduous Teeth ◽

Fluoride Solution ◽

Fluoride Treatment ◽

Before And After ◽

Soft Plaque ◽

Topical Fluoride

BACKGROUND: Circular caries occurs in the earliest age of the children (1 - 1.5 year), immediately after the eruption of the deciduous teeth. During this period, children are too young to be able to properly implement oral hygiene. Consequently, it is at a negligible level, with plenty of soft plaque on the deciduous tooth surfaces.OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this clinical trial was to determine the correlation between oral hygiene shown with Oral Hygiene index, and the initial stages of circular caries (initial lesion and superficial form), before and after topical fluoride treatment.MATERIAL AND METHODS: For determination of the OHI - index we used the method of Green - Vermillion. It was determined two times in 117 patients, during the first visit and immediately before physiological replacement of deciduous teeth. Patients were two to three years old and diagnosed with initial stages of circular caries. Amino fluoride solution was applied once a week, during six months.RESULTS: We obtained statistically significant improvement of OHI - index at the end of the test, among treated subjects from both major groups.CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the level of oral hygiene is correlated with the progression of changes in enamel. Topical fluoride treatment has a positive impact on reducing ECC.

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