Genetic and environmental effects on carotid flow velocities: an international twin study.

Introduction: Altered carotid blood flow velocities (CFV) have a complex background but the underlying genetic contribution is still unclear. We sought to evaluate the influence of genetics, shared and unshared environmental components on individual differences of CFV.

Methods: 193 healthy twin pairs, 126 monozygotic (MZ) and 67 dizygotic (DZ) (mean age 53 ± 14 years) recruited in Italy, in the United States and in Hungary underwent bilateral color-coded Doppler flow assessment of the common carotid artery (CCA) and of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in order to assess the peak systolic (PSV) and end diastolic (EDV) velocities.

Carotid artery free-floating thrombus caused by paradoxical embolization from greater saphenous vein ascending thrombophlebitis.

Stroke of unknown origin in young patients is seen to be closely correlated with patent foramen ovale (PFO) than stroke in patients with established stroke mechanisms. We report a case of a young woman without cardiovascular risk factors who was admitted to our emergency department with listlessness and altered mental status. The clinical examination revealed right lower limb swelling.

Noninvasive imaging of carotid arteries in stroke: emerging value of real-time high-resolution sonography in carotid occlusion due to cardiac embolism.

Objective: Comprehension of the pathophysiologic characteristics of atherosclerosis has focused its attention on the study of dynamic and metabolic processes involving the vessel wall as possible causes of stroke. When compared with conventional radiologic techniques, sonography has the main advantage of being a real-time imaging modality. We report 2 acute stroke cases in which carotid sonography showed some dynamic features that could not be identified with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

Imaging of carotid plaque angiogenesis.

Currently, characterization of the vulnerable plaque is a hot research topic as a more adequate strategy for preventing cerebrovascular events is being sought. Histological studies have recognized that plaque inflammation and the presence of adventitial vasa vasorum, intimal angiogenesis and plaque neovascularization are strong predictors of instability in atheromatous lesions of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular patients. The in vivo study of these features has been the focus of development of several new radiological imaging methods.

Focus on the "unstable" carotid plaque: detection of intraplaque angiogenesis with contrast ultrasound. Present state and future perspectives.

Over the past 20 years, conventional ultrasonography has identified features of the "unstable" carotid plaque. Histological studies have recognized that plaque inflammation and neoangiogenesis play a pivotal role in the developing of the vulnerable plaque. Hence, the growing interest on the biological activities of atherosclerotic lesions leading to cerebrovascular events.

Carotid body tumors: advantages of contrast ultrasound investigation.

Carotid body tumors are rare neoplasms that have to be considered in the evaluation of all lateral neck mass. Early surgical removal has been recommended to avoid possible cranial nerve injury, the most common perioperative complication. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRA) angiographies are the preferred pre-operative diagnostic imaging investigations, as well as the 111 In-pentetreotide scintigraphic scan, whereas the standard ultrasound investigations have poor sensitivity in characterizing of the blood flows of the parenchimal structure of the carotid body tumors.

Semiquantitative human cerebral perfusion assessment with ultrasound in brain space-occupying lesions: preliminary data.

Objective: Transcranial Duplex ultrasound imaging with ultrasound contrast agents is an emerging technique for evaluating brain perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate cerebral perfusion with ultrasound in brain space-occupying lesions to identify different perfusion patterns.

Methods: Twenty patients with brain space-occupying lesions underwent ultrasound assessment of brain perfusion with a contrast pulse sequencing nonharmonic ultrasound technique and an ultrasound contrast agent bolus.

Detection of carotid adventitial vasa vasorum and plaque vascularization with ultrasound cadence contrast pulse sequencing technique and echo-contrast agent.

Background And Purpose: Adventitial vasa vasorum and plaque vascularization have been established as predictors of unstable atheromasic lesions in cerebro- and cardiovascular patients. Ultrasound contrast agents provide reliable information on tissue perfusion and microcirculation. We used contrast ultrasound duplex scanning to identify carotid plaque vascularization.

Endovascular graft infection: preliminary results of an international enquiry.

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of aortoiliac endovascular graft infections and seek the main factors influencing their development.

Methods: To augment personal experience (1 case), a questionnaire was sent to 40 international centers of vascular and endovascular surgery. The literature was also reviewed to collect data on infections developing in endovascular grafts.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging for aortic stent-graft surveillance.

Purpose: To compare unenhanced and enhanced ultrasound imaging to computed tomographic angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for surveillance of aortic endografts.

Methods: Thirty consecutive patients (29 men; mean age 69 years, range 50-82) who underwent endovascular aortic aneurysm repair agreed to participate in a follow-up program. Patients underwent CTA (26/30) or MRA (4/30), plain abdominal radiography, and unenhanced and enhanced ultrasound examinations at 3, 12, and 24 months to evaluate aneurysm diameter, endoleaks, and graft patency.