Hyperechoic plaque: an ultrasound marker for osteoporosis in acute stroke patients with carotid disease.

Background: Osteoporosis is a significant complication of stroke, and hip fracture after a stroke is a frequent problem. Moreover, growing evidence links vascular and bone diseases, in the form of osteoporosis associated with both atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The aim of our study is to detect bone change in the acute phase of ischemic stroke in patients with carotid disease and to verify the correlation with carotid echogenic plaques.

Stump pressure and transcranial Doppler for predicting shunting in carotid endarterectomy.

Objectives: to compare stump pressure (SP) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) with neurologic monitoring during carotid endarterectomy (CEA).

Materials: one hundred and forty-seven CEAs performed under local anaesthesia.

Methods: neurologic monitoring and SP were performed in all cases, while mean velocity of the middle cerebral artery (mvMCA) by TCD was done in 140/147 (95%) cases.

[Growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Ultrasounds study and clinical outcome].

Background: The standard treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) >55 mm is actually represented by surgical repair mainly or by endovascular repair, in selected cases; conversely the debate is still open for those ranging 40-55 mm. These last and smaller aneurysms are usually followed-up by ultrasounds (US), in order to detect too fast expansions and to prevent sudden ruptures. Aim of this study is to present the results of the US follow-up of a series of asymptomatic AAAs and the correlation between expansion rate and associated risk factors.

Cerebral haemodynamic aspects of severe carotid stenosis: asymptomatic vs symptomatic.

Objectives: to compare cerebral haemodynamics in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic severe (> or =70%) internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis.

Methods: we assessed 195 consecutive patients, 116 with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) and 79 with symptomatic carotid stenosis (SCS). Using transcranial Doppler we assessed cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) following acetazolamide test, the middle cerebral artery flow velocity ratio after/before carotid clamping (mv-MCA ratio), and the carotid back pressure (CBP) during crossclamping.