Single-center, Prospective Cohort Study of PD-1 Inhibitors on Clinical Outcomes of Carotid Plaques...
Carotid Artery PlaquePd-1 InhibitorsThis is a single-center, prospective cohort study on the comparison of clinical outcomes of carotid plaques in PD-1-treated tumor patients vs non-PD-1-treated tumor patients.
Progression Assessment of Carotid Artery Stenosis by Ultrafast Ultrasound Flow Imaging
Carotid Artery StenosisRationale: Approximately 15-20% of strokes originates from an atherosclerotic plaque rupture in the carotid artery. To reduce the risk of stroke, patients should be evaluated for possible carotid endarterectomy (CEA), which is based on simple geometrical and clinical measures. Multiple studies have shown that the current risk stratification may lead to both over- and under-treatment for patients with carotid artery stenosis. This implicates that the current guidelines are lacking patient-specific parameters and have limited sensitivity. There is a wealth of evidence implicating the important role of local (disturbed) blood flow throughout the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Novel flow-related measures, that go beyond simple geometrical indications, are required to improve diagnosis and treatment in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Nowadays, ultrasound (US) is one of the main techniques to assess for the presence and extent of carotid artery stenosis. However, current clinically-used US systems are unable to acquire and visualize the complex flow phenomena that play such a crucial role in the atherosclerotic disease process. With the advent of ultrafast ultrasound imaging, acquiring thousands of images per second, continuous tracking of flow in all directions became feasible, which enables us to image two-dimensional blood flow and possible disturbances with high accuracy and precision. In this project, we aim to assess whether flow (related) parameters are associated with disease progression (and if so, which), in order to map the progression of atherosclerotic plaques using non-invasive, US-based blood flow imaging. In the future, this could improve risk stratification for individual patients for surgery, decrease patient mortality and morbidity, and therefore reduce healthcare costs. Objective: To longitudinally assess the association between spatio-temporal blood flow velocities (peak systole and end-diastole at common carotid artery, maximum stenosis and internal carotid artery) and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis defined by duplex measurements. Secondary objectives are to investigate the association between blood flow-derived parameters, including wall shear stress (WSS), vector complexity and vorticity, and the progression of atherosclerosis defined by duplex measurements. Furthermore, to assess the association between spatio-temporal blood flow velocities and blood flow-derived parameters (WSS, vector complexity and vorticity) and the progression of atherosclerosis as measured using ultrasound-based strain imaging.
Structural Stability of Carotid Plaque and Symptomatology
Carotid StenosisStroke4 moreThe purpose of the research is to understand structural plaque abnormalities that make a carotid plaque unstable and brake off (embolize) which would help to predict and treat individuals who are likely to suffer not only classic episodic major strokes but also cognitive impairment.
Carotid Artery Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Vulnerable Plaque
Carotid Artery PlaqueCarotid Stenosis1 moreTo investigate the efficacy and safety of carotid stenting for vulnerable carotid plaques. All patients with carotid artery stenosis underwent carotid arterial contrast-enhanced ultrasonography before operation. According to the examination results, they were divided into two groups: vulnerable plaque group and stable plaque group. The incidence of perioperative stroke events in the two groups was compared. The incidence of stroke events in the two groups within 1 year was compared.
Plaque and Brain Inflammation in Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis: Role of the Ficolin-2
CAROTID STENOSISCarotid artery stenosis is observed in about 3% of ≥ 60 years subjects and accounts for around 10-20% of all ischemic strokes. Beyond the degree of stenosis, plaque composition affects the risk of ischemic stroke. Identification of patients with vulnerable plaques at higher risk of stroke who might benefit from carotid revascularization is crucial. A growing body of evidence suggests that the lectin pathway of the complement system, and especially the ficolin-2, is involved in atherosclerosis. It has been hypothesized that circulating levels of ficolin-2 increase during chronic inflammatory conditions (i.e. growing atherosclerotic plaque) whereas they fall during sub-acute or acute inflammatory conditions (i.e. plaque rupture and acute ischemic stroke) because of consumption (binding to targets). Therefore, ficolin-2 has been proposed as a biomarker informing on the specific state of the plaque. However, in acute ischemic stroke due to carotid stenosis, both plaque rupture and stroke injury contribute to lectin pathway activation, thus affecting circulating levels of ficolin-2. Until now, the relative contribution of plaque and brain inflammation on circulating levels of ficolin-2 has not been documented. In the present study the investigators aim to assess the association between circulating levels of ficolin-2 and carotid and brain inflammation on [18F]DPA-714 positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI in patients with transient ischemic attack or acute ischemic stroke due to carotid stenosis. For that purpose, the investigators intend to include 30 patients with transient ischemic attack or acute ischemic stroke due to ≥ 50%. carotid stenosis. Each patient will have a measure of plasmatic level of ficolin-2 as well a [18F]DPA-714 PET/MRI to quantify the fixation of the radiotracer on carotid and brain.
Acute Stroke of CArotid Artery Bifurcation Origin Treated With Use oF the MicronEt-covered CGUARD...
Carotid Artery StenosisAcute Ischemic StrokeProspective, single-center, clinical registry of patients with acute stroke of carotid artery bifurcation origin undergoing endovascular treatment using the Micronet-covered CGUARD Stent to seal the culprit lesion under proximal cerebral protection (by transient flow reversal using balloon catheter such as the MoMa or FlowGate) with thrombus retrieval achieved through active aspiration ± stentriever use. A study involving clinical and cerebrovascular imaging data evaluation in consecutive patients with acute stroke of carotid artery bifurcation origin, presenting in the time-window and/or cerebral tissue window allowing guideline-indicated reperfusion by interventional management. A registry of consecutive patients with the study condition. An open-label study, without randomization - a single arm, single-center study in John Paul II Hospital in Krakow, Poland.
Cognitive Function and Brain Connectivity in CAS Patients:a Rs-fMRI Study
MRIFunctional1 moreThis is a prospective study aimed to explore the changes of cognitive function after surgery for CAS and the correlation with brain connectivity, in order to look for the clinical biomarkers to predict the carotid stent implantation for patients which can effect the cognition
Safety and Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis Receiving...
Carotid Artery StenosisThe purpose of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning in patients with carotid artery stenosis receiving carotid endarterectomy.
Carotid Stenosis Management During COVID-19 Era - Pilot Study
Carotid StenosisCarotid Artery Diseases3 moreCarotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) are often performed for subgroups of patients for whom procedural benefit has not been established in randomised trials and despite evidence of serious procedural risk. In some places, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult or impossible to perform CEA and CAS in time. This study aims to measure the rate of ipsilateral stroke and other complications in individuals with symptomatic carotid stenosis, whom for any reason are managed using current best medical intervention alone. The investigators expect at least 50% lowering of the ipsilateral stroke rate compared to that seen with medical intervention alone in past randomised trials.
Spider Versus Emboshield Distal Protection on Cerebral Microembolization During Vulnerable Plaque...
StrokeCarotid Stenosis1 moreA single center, prospective, outcome-assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial study (CASH-ES) is designed to compare the efficiency of two different distal embolism protection devices (SpiderFX and Emboshield NAV6) in during CAS procedure of patients with vulnerable plaque.