Panoramic imaged carotid atheromas are associated with increased neutrophil count: both validated, independent predictors of near-term myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Panoramic images (PXs) demonstrating calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAAs) are associated with heightened risk of near-term myocardial infarction (MI). Elevated neutrophil counts (NC) within normal range 2,500-6,000 per mm are likewise associated with future MI signaling the role neutrophils play in the chronic inflammation process underlying coronary artery atherogenesis. We determined if CCAAs on PXs are associated with increased NC.

Elevated White Blood Cell Count Resultant Atherogenesis is Associated With Panoramic-Imaged Carotid Plaque.

Purpose: Atherosclerotic plaques develop as a result of a low-grade, chronic, systemic inflammatory response to the injury of endothelial cells arising from lipid deposition within the intima. Increased white blood cell count (WBCC) is both a validated "biologic marker" of the extent of this inflammatory process and a key participant in the development of subsequent atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease manifesting as myocardial infarction. We sought to determine if calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) on a panoramic image (PI), also a validated risk indicator of future myocardial infarction, is associated with increased WBCC.

Red Cell Distribution Width, Unlike Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio Is Unable to Accurately Gauge Enhanced Systemic Inflammation Associated With Panoramic Imaged Carotid Plaque.

Introduction: We have previously shown that panoramic X-rays (PXs) demonstrating calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAA) are associated with increased systemic inflammation demonstrating increased neutrophil lymphocyte ratios (NLRs), a validated risk indicator of fatal myocardial infarctions arising from coronary artery atherosclerosis. Using this same cohort of patients (with minor adjustments because of missing data), we sought to determine if a like association existed between PXs evidencing CCAA and elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) given conflicting data as its reliability relative to NLR as a biologic marker of system inflammation. We hypothesized that CCAAs on PXs would simultaneously be associated with both increased NLR and RDW.

Severe Sleep Apnea Associated With Increased Systemic Inflammation and Decreased Serum Bilirubin.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) among older men has been associated with increased systemic inflammation, as evidenced by an increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and provocation of coronary artery atherosclerosis, potentially resulting in myocardial infarction (MI). The total serum bilirubin levels (TSBLs; formed primarily from senescent red blood cells via the catabolic pathway in the reticuloendothelial system) at the higher end of the normal reference range are anti-inflammatory. However, at the lower end of the physiologic range, they have been associated with increased adverse vascular events.

Relationship between symptomatic lower limb peripheral artery disease and calcified carotid artery plaque detected on panoramic images of neurologically asymptomatic males.

Objective: Males with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at high risk of ischaemic stroke given that atherogenic risk factors for both diseases are similar. We hypothesized that neurologically asymptomatic males diagnosed with PAD would demonstrate calcified carotid artery plaques (CCAP) on panoramic images (PI) significantly more often than similarly aged males not having PAD.

Methods: Investigators implemented a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Imaged Carotid Plaque Is Significantly Associated With Systemic Inflammation.

Purpose: Persons with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at heightened risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke caused by adiposity and intermittent hypoxia, which provoke proinflammatory cytokines to induce systemic and vascular inflammation, resulting in endothelial dysfunction and development of atherosclerotic plaque. This study compared levels of systemic inflammation, as indexed by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), between groups of patients with severe OSA with and without carotid artery calcified plaque (CACP and CACP, respectively) on their panoramic image (PI).

Materials And Methods: This study had a retrospective cross-sectional study design.

Positive Association Between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Presence of Panoramically Imaged Carotid Atheromas Among Men.

Purpose: Heightened levels of systemic inflammation documented by increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) characterize a robust atherosclerosis processes evidenced by carotid and coronary artery plaques at ultrasound and angiography with associated strokes and myocardial infarctions (MIs). Therefore, this study investigated whether calcified carotid artery plaques (CCAPs) on panoramic images (PIs), known to herald future stroke and MI, are associated with increased NLRs.

Materials And Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, electronic medical records and PIs of non-Hispanic white men at least 55 years old who were treated by the dental service (January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017) were retrieved.

Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Positively Associated With the Presence of Carotid Artery Atheromas.

Purpose: Hypoxemia and hypertension caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often result in atherosclerosis of the carotid and coronary vessels and heightened risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, this study investigated whether severity of OSA, based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), is associated with the presence of calcified carotid artery (atherosclerotic) plaque (CCAP) seen on panoramic images (PIs).

Materials And Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, the electronic medical records and PIs of all male patients referred from the sleep medicine service to the dental service from 2010 through 2016 were reviewed.

Association of calcified carotid artery plaque in panoramic images and diagonal earlobe crease.

Objectives:: Brazilians who are free of traditional atherogenic risk factors frequently suffer myocardial infarctions (MI). Calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) on panoramic images (PIs) has been shown to be a validated "risk indicator" of future MIs. The diagonal earlobe crease (DELC) is likewise a validated "risk indicator" of future MI.

Prevalence of Panoramically Imaged Carotid Atheromas in Alcoholic Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis and Comorbid Diabetes.

Purpose: Men with alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis (ARCP) resulting in type 3c diabetes mellitus (DM) are at a uniquely elevated risk of adverse ischemic events given the role of inflammation in both the underlying disease processes and atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that their panoramic images would show a prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas (calcified carotid artery plaques [CCAPs]) significantly more often than a general population of similarly aged men.

Patients And Methods: We implemented a retrospective observational study.

Prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma among patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective: Our objective was to determine primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) prevalence among obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients because the perioperative environment risks further damaging the optic nerve.

Study Design: We analyzed a "convenience sample" referred by Sleep Medicine for oral appliances because of continuous positive airway pressure intolerance. We determined the aggregate prevalence of the 3 POAG subtypes-"classic" open-angle glaucoma (COAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and open-angle glaucoma suspect (OAGS)-among the index population and compared it with that of same hospital's general population.

Males With Rheumatoid Arthritis Often Evidence Carotid Atheromas on Panoramic Imaging: A Risk Indicator of Future Cardiovascular Events.

Purpose: Males with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an exceedingly high risk of adverse intraoperative ischemic events, given the role of systemic inflammation in the atherogenic process. We hypothesized that their panoramic images would demonstrate calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAPs) significantly more often than those from a general population of similarly aged men.

Patients And Methods: We implemented a retrospective observational study.

Preventive Dental Treatment Workload/Costs to Mitigate Antiresorptive Bone Medication-related Osteonecrosis Risk.

Purpose: To determine the extent of dental disease and associated treatment costs designed to mitigate the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) among older, socially disadvantaged veterans prior to physician's administration of antiresorptive medication for osteoporosis or malignant bone disease.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study based on over seven years (2008-2015) of data describes the type and volume of disease, treatment, work-load measures, and costs using Veterans Affairs databases.

Results: One hundred fifty-two outpatients (94% male, mean age 69 ± 12 years) were referred by physicians for clinical/radiographic examination and treatment.

Prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on digital panoramic images among perimenopausal and postmenopausal African American women.

Objective: Health care disparities, often of an obscure nature, result in African American women (AAw) having enhanced risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, we sought to determine the prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAA), a validated risk indicator of these events, on their digital panoramic images.

Study Design: Comprehensive electronic medical records and digital panoramic images of self-identified AAw aged ≥45 years treated between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved from a Veterans Affairs Dental Service.

Prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on panoramic images of older men with gout: a descriptive retrospective study.

Objectives: Given the enhanced risk of ischaemic stroke resulting from the direct effects of hyperuricaemia on vascular plaque formation seen among older males with gout, we sought to determine the prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAAs) on their panoramic images (PIs).

Methods: Medical record librarians identified all male patients over 45 years, who had a diagnosis of gout and a PI incidentally obtained between 2000 and 2015. The prevalence rate of CCAA on technically appropriate images was determined, as were these patients' atherogenic risk profiles including: age, body mass index, hypertension and dyslipidaemia.