Editor's Choice - The National Norwegian Carotid Study: Time from Symptom Onset to Surgery is too Long, Resulting in Additional Neurological Events.

Objective/background: The objective was to observe for 1 year all patients in Norway operated on for symptomatic carotid stenosis with respect to (i) the time from the index event to surgery and neurological events during this time; (ii) the level in the healthcare system causing delay of surgical treatment; and (iii) the possible relationship between peri-operative use of platelet inhibitors and neurological events while awaiting surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective national multicentre study of a consecutive series of symptomatic patients. Patients were eligible for inclusion when referred for surgery.

Interleukin 23 levels are increased in carotid atherosclerosis: possible role for the interleukin 23/interleukin 17 axis.

Background And Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-23 is a cytokine in the IL-12 family, mainly produced by antigen-presenting cells with a central role in inflammation. We hypothesize that IL-23 is also important in atherogenesis and investigate this in a population with carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: Plasma levels of IL-23 were measured in patients with carotid artery stenosis and in healthy controls.

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 is associated with symptomatic lesions and adverse events in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cerebrovascular disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in matrix degradation within the atherosclerotic lesion leading to plaque destabilization and ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that MMP-7 could be involved in this process.

[Arteriosclerosis of the lower extremities--patients' contacts with alternative therapists].

During the period July 1987-April 1988, ninety-one patients with arterial insufficiency in the lower limbs were referred to the Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at Aalborg Hospital. The mean delay between contact with the general practitioner and the vascular surgeon was nine months. Twenty-nine of the patients contacted alternative therapists before referral to the vascular surgeon.