Analysis of Morphological Parameters to Differentiate Rupture Status in Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms

In contrast to size, the association of morphological characteristics of intracranial aneurysms with rupture has not been established in a systematic manner. We present an analysis of the morphological variables that are associated with rupture in anterior communicating artery aneurysms to determine site-specific risk variables. One hundred and twenty-four anterior communicating artery aneurysms were treated in a single institution from 2005 to 2010, and CT angiograms (CTAs) or rotational angiography from 79 patients (42 ruptured, 37 unruptured) were analyzed. Vascular imaging was evaluated with 3D Slicer© to generate models of the aneurysms and surrounding vasculature. Morphological parameters were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis and included aneurysm volume, aspect ratio, size ratio, distance to bifurcation, aneurysm angle, vessel angle, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that size ratio, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle were associated with aneurysm rupture after adjustment for age, sex, smoking history, and other clinical risk factors. Simple morphological parameters such as size ratio, flow angle, and parent-daughter angle may thus aid in the evaluation of rupture risk of anterior communicating artery aneurysms.     

Morphological Parameters Associated with Ruptured Posterior Communicating Aneurysms

The rupture risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is known to be dependent on the size of the aneurysm. However, the association of morphological characteristics with ruptured aneurysms has not been established in a systematic and location specific manner for the most common aneurysm locations. We evaluated posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms for morphological parameters associated with aneurysm rupture in that location. CT angiograms were evaluated to generate 3-D models of the aneurysms and surrounding vasculature. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate morphological parameters including aneurysm volume, aspect ratio, size ratio, distance to ICA bifurcation, aneurysm angle, vessel angles, flow angles, and vessel-to-vessel angles. From 2005–2012, 148 PCoA aneurysms were treated in a single institution. Preoperative CTAs from 63 patients (40 ruptured, 23 unruptured) were available and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that smaller volume (p = 0.011), larger aneurysm neck diameter (0.048), and shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance (p = 0.005) were the most strongly associated with aneurysm rupture after adjusting for all other clinical and morphological variables. Multivariate subgroup analysis for patients with visualized PCoA demonstrated that larger neck diameter (p = 0.018) and shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance (p = 0.011) were significantly associated with rupture. Intracerebral hemorrhage was associated with smaller volume, larger maximum height, and smaller aneurysm angle, in addition to lateral projection, male sex, and lack of hypertension. We found that shorter ICA bifurcation to aneurysm distance is significantly associated with PCoA aneurysm rupture. This is a new physically intuitive parameter that can be measured easily and therefore be readily applied in clinical practice to aid in the evaluation of patients with PCoA aneurysms.     

Posterior Cerebral Artery Angle and the Rupture of Basilar Tip Aneurysms

Since the initial publication of the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA), management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms has been mainly based on the size of the aneurysm. The contribution of morphological characteristics to treatment decisions of unruptured aneurysms has not been well studied in a systematic and location specific manner. We present a large sample of basilar artery tip aneurysms (BTA) that were assessed using a diverse array of morphological variables to determine the parameters associated with ruptured aneurysms. Demographic and clinical risk factors of aneurysm rupture were obtained from chart review. CT angiograms (CTA) were evaluated with Slicer, an open source visualization and image analysis software, to generate 3-D models of the aneurysms and surrounding vascular architecture. Morphological parameters examined in each model included aneurysm volume, aspect ratio, size ratio, aneurysm angle, basilar vessel angle, basilar flow angle, and vessel to vessel angles. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine statistical significance. From 2008–2013, 54 patients with BTA aneurysms were evaluated in a single institution, and CTAs from 33 patients (15 ruptured, 18 unruptured) were available and analyzed. Aneurysms that underwent reoperation, that were associated with arteriovenous malformations, or that lacked preoperative CTA were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that a larger angle between the posterior cerebral arteries (P1-P1 angle, p = 0.037) was most strongly associated with aneurysm rupture after adjusting for other morphological variables. In this location specific study of BTA aneurysms, the larger the angle formed between posterior cerebral arteries was found to be a new morphological parameter significantly associated with ruptured BTA aneurysms. This is a physically intuitive parameter that can be measured easily and readily applied in the clinical setting.     

血管内栓塞治疗已破裂后交通动脉瘤的临床研究

目的:探讨已破裂后交通动脉瘤的血管内栓塞介入治疗的临床疗效.方法:对73例血管内介入栓塞治疗已破裂后交通动脉瘤患者资料回顾分析,观察临床治疗效果.结果:所有患者均成功栓塞,获100％栓塞35个(47.9％),95％栓塞24个(32.9％),90％栓塞13个(17.8％),80％栓塞1个(1.4％),发生并发症6例(8.2％),术后随访未见复发病例(0.0％).结论:已破裂后交通动脉的血管内介入栓塞治疗是一种微创、安全、有效的方法.     

经翼点入路显微手术治疗后交通动脉瘤

目的：探讨显微手术治疗后交通动脉瘤的手术时机,避免术后脑积水的手段及双侧后交通动脉瘤的处理方法。方法：采用翼点入路,早期显微手术夹闭后交通动脉瘤41例,两例双侧后交通动脉瘤患者成功采用一侧翼点入路夹闭双侧动脉瘤。结果：本组41例动脉瘤均顺利夹闭,28例患者术前存在动眼神经麻痹,27例术后症状消失或者缓解,1例未有明显改善。41例患者均行终板造瘘,术后出现脑积水患者1例。无死亡病例。随访1～10月无动脉瘤残留及复发。结论：早期手术夹闭后交通动脉瘤有利于动眼神经麻痹的恢复,术中行终板造瘘可降低术后脑积水的发生,对侧后交通动脉瘤的指向、位置及后交通动脉与颈内动脉的解剖关系是影响一侧入路夹闭双侧后交通动脉瘤的关键因素。     

11 例锁骨下动脉瘤腔内介入治疗体会

目的：总结锁骨下动脉瘤腔内介入治疗的经验。方法：11 例锁骨下动脉瘤,其中7 例真性动脉瘤4 例假性动脉瘤,均采用覆 膜支架腔内隔绝术进行治疗。结果：本组11 例患者腔内介入治疗成功率100%,共置入覆膜支架12 枚,无严重并发症发生,均痊 愈出院。经平均32.5 个月随访,全部患者无明显内漏发生,无动脉瘤复发,除3 例患者出现覆膜支架内轻度狭窄（<30%）外,余介 入治疗患者的锁骨下动脉血流均通畅。结论：腔内覆膜支架隔绝术治疗锁骨下动脉瘤是一种安全、有效的治疗手段。     

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Superoxide Mediate Hemodynamic Initiation of Intracranial Aneurysms

Background

Hemodynamic insults at arterial bifurcations are believed to play a critical role in initiating intracranial aneurysms. Recent studies in a rabbit model indicate that aneurysmal damage initiates under specific wall shear stress conditions when smooth muscle cells (SMCs) become pro-inflammatory and produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The mechanisms leading to SMC activation and MMP production during hemodynamic aneurysm initiation are unknown. The goal is to determine if nitric oxide and/or superoxide induce SMC changes, MMP production and aneurysmal remodeling following hemodynamic insult.

Methods

Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was performed on rabbits (n = 19, plus 5 sham operations) to induce aneurysmal damage at the basilar terminus. Ligated animals were treated with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor LNAME (n = 7) or the superoxide scavenger TEMPOL (n = 5) and compared to untreated animals (n = 7). Aneurysm development was assessed histologically 5 days after ligation. Changes in NOS isoforms, peroxynitrite, reactive oxygen species (ROS), MMP-2, MMP-9, and smooth muscle α-actin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

LNAME attenuated ligation-induced IEL loss, media thinning and bulge formation. In untreated animals, immunofluorescence showed increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) after ligation, but no change in inducible or neuronal NOS. Furthermore, during aneurysm initiation ROS increased in the media, but not the intima, and there was no change in peroxynitrite. In LNAME-treated animals, ROS production did not change. Together, this suggests that eNOS is important for aneurysm initiation but not by producing superoxide. TEMPOL treatment reduced aneurysm development, indicating that the increased medial superoxide is also necessary for aneurysm initiation. LNAME and TEMPOL treatment in ligated animals restored α-actin and decreased MMPs, suggesting that eNOS and superoxide both lead to SMC de-differentiation and MMP production.

Conclusion

Aneurysm-inducing hemodynamics lead to increased eNOS and superoxide, which both affect SMC phenotype, increasing MMP production and aneurysmal damage.     

Hemodynamic Effects of Stent Struts versus Straightening of Vessels in Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Sidewall Cerebral Aneurysms

Background

Recent clinical studies have shown that recanalization rates are lower in stent-assisted coil embolization than in coiling alone in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

Objective

This study aimed to assess and compare the hemodynamic effect of stent struts and straightening of vessels by stent placement on reducing flow velocity in sidewall aneurysms, with the goal of reducing recanalization rates.

Methods

We evaluated 16 sidewall aneurysms treated with Enterprise stents. We performed computational fluid dynamics simulations using patient-specific geometries before and after treatment, with or without stent struts.

Results

Stent placement straightened vessels by a mean (±standard deviation) of 12.9°±13.1° 6 months after treatment. Placement of stent struts in the initial vessel geometries reduced flow velocity in aneurysms by 23.1%±6.3%. Straightening of vessels without stent struts reduced flow velocity by 9.6%±12.6%. Stent struts had significantly stronger effects on reducing flow velocity than straightening (P = 0.004, Wilcoxon test). Deviation of the effects was larger by straightening than by stent struts (P = 0.01, F-test). The combination of stent struts and straightening reduced flow velocity by 32.6%±12.2%. There was a trend that larger inflow angles produced a larger reduction in flow velocity by straightening of vessels (P = 0.16).

Conclusion

In sidewall aneurysms, stent struts have stronger effects (approximately 2 times) on reduction in flow velocity than straightening of vessels. Hemodynamic effects by straightening vary in each case and can be predicted by inflow angles of pre-operative vessel geometry. These results may be useful to design a treatment strategy for reducing recanalization rates.     

Correlation Between the Rupture Risk and 3D Geometric Parameters of Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of the location and geometric parameters of intracranial aneurysm with the risk of rupture. A retrospective study consisted of 284 patients diagnosed with saccular intracranial aneurysm between January 2009 and May 2013 at Wuxi Third People’s Hospital was conducted. 3D digital subtraction angiography images from all patients (240 ruptured, 44 unruptured) were obtained and analyzed. The location of the aneurysms and the 3D geometric parameters including the aneurysm depth, the neck size, diameter of the parent artery, aneurysm angle, aspect radio, size ratio, and the neck-to-parent-artery ratio (NPR) were compared between ruptured and unruptured groups. Results: In ruptured group, anterior communicating artery, posterior communicating artery (PCoA), and the bifurcation of internal carotid artery (ICA) were the top three locations for aneurysm occurrence, accounting for 40.00, 30.42, and 12.08 % respectively. While in the unruptured group, top three locations were PCoA (36.36 %), posterior cerebral circulation (18.18 %), and the bifurcation of the ICA (15.91 %). Distribution of aneurysm location is significantly different (p < 0.05) between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. For the 3D geometric parameters characterizing aneurysm, aneurysm depth (p < 0.05), parent artery diameter (p < 0.05), aneurysm angle (p < 0.01), aspect ratio (p < 0.01), and size ratio (p < 0.01) all showed a significant difference between ruptured and unruptured group. No difference was found in the neck size and the NPR ratio between the two groups. 3D geometric parameters such as aneurysm depth, parent artery diameter, aneurysm angle, aspect ratio, and size ratio can be helpful in evaluating the rupture risk of saccular intracranial aneurysm for a better prevention and prognosis.     

介入栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤的临床研究

目的:探讨介入血管腔内栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤的方法、疗效及安全性。方法:选择内脏动脉瘤患者23例,包括脾动脉瘤13例,肝动脉瘤2例,胃十二指肠动脉瘤3例,肠系膜上动脉瘤4例,肾动脉瘤1例。其中,9例行远近端动脉栓塞术,4例采用支架辅助弹簧圈瘤体内填塞,3例采用弹簧圈瘤体内填塞加瘤体内注胶栓塞术,4例行弹簧圈瘤体内栓塞术,2例行分支动脉颗粒栓塞术,1例行单纯注胶栓塞术。术后1月、3月、6月行超声、CTA或血管造影复查,以后每年复查一次。结果:本组均成功行介入血管腔内栓塞治疗内脏动脉瘤,栓塞治疗后造影示动脉瘤体和/或载瘤动脉闭塞,动脉瘤体内无明显对比剂显影,脾动脉瘤栓塞患者有3例出现发热,脾区疼痛等脾梗塞症状,未见栓塞术相关严重并发症发生。4例消化道出血患者出血均停止。术后随访3~48个月,未见动脉瘤破裂出血、动脉瘤复发或增大,支架置入者,支架内及分支动脉血流均保持通畅。结论:介入血管腔内栓塞是一种治疗内脏动脉瘤的简便、微创、安全有效的方法。     

Antioxidant Status and Purine Bases in Carotid Artery Plaque

Free radical excess and oxidative stress are implicated in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque through actions on susceptible vascular cells, such as by activating xanthine oxidase. Purine bases and other antioxidant compounds could play important protective roles in atherogenesis, as could nonenzymatic low molecular weight thiol defenses, not previously evaluated in carotid artery plaque. Therefore, we measured purine catabolites (hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid, allantoin) and antioxidant compounds (total sulphydryl groups, homocysteine, cysteine, and glutathione) in advanced carotid artery plaque and found a high ratio of allantoin to uric acid, suggesting a ongoing local oxidative stress.     

Association between GRIN3A Gene Polymorphism in Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Taiwanese Children

Kawasaki disease (KD) is pediatric systemic vasculitis with the classic complication of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). It is the leading cause of acquired cardiovascular diseases in children. Some severe cases present with multi-organ involvement or neurological dysfunction. To identify the role of the glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl-d-aspartate 3A (GRIN3A) in KD, we investigated genetic variations in GRIN3A in a Taiwanese cohort of 262 KD patients (76 with and 186 without CAA complications). We used univariate and multivariate regression analyses to identify the associations between clinical characteristics and GRIN3A genetic variations in KD. According to univariate regression analysis, CAA formation in KD was significantly associated with fever duration (p < 0.0001), first Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) used (days after day one of fever) (p < 0.0001), and the GRIN3A (rs7849782) genetic variant (p < 0.001). KD patients with GG+GC genotype showed a lower rate of developing CAA (GG+GC genotype: odds ratio = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.14–0.46). Significant associations were identified between KD with CAA complication and the GRIN3A (rs7849782) genetic variant by using multivariate regression analysis. Specifically, significant correlations were observed between KD with CAA complications and the presence of GG+GC genotypes for the GRIN3A rs7849782 single-nucleotide polymorphism (full model: odds ratio = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.14–0.46). Our results suggest that a polymorphism of the GRIN3A gene may play a role in KD pathogenesis.     

肾移植术后移植肾动脉破裂4 例及文献复习

目的:提高肾移植术后移植肾动脉破裂的诊治水平。方法:回顾性分析临床所见4例肾移植术后移植肾动脉破裂诊治并复习国内外病例文献资料。结果:移植肾动脉破裂口均不在吻合口,离吻合口距离为0.5~0.8cm;破裂原因:3例为霉菌感染,1例为细菌感染;经行移植肾切除和抗真菌、抗菌治疗后,2例受者恢复血透,1例因术中肺梗塞死亡,1例因失血性休克而死亡。结论:移植肾动脉破裂临床上较少见,后果严重,不仅会影响到移植肾功能,更可能危及病人生命,早期诊断、紧急手术探查和特异性治疗可改善预后,挽救患者生命。     

Hemodynamic Based Surgical Decision on Sequential Graft and Y-Type Graft in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Purpose: Sequential graft and Y-type graft are two different surgical procedures in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The hemodynamic environment of them are different, that may cause different short-term surgical result and long-term patency. In this study, the short-term and long-term result of sequential and Y-type graft was discussed by comparing the hemodynamics of them. Materials and Methods: Two postoperative 3-dimensional (3D) models were built by applying different graft on a patient-specific 3D model with serious stenosis. Then zero-dimensional (0D)/3D coupled simulation was carried out by coupling the postoperative 3D models with a 0D lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system. Results: The flow rate of native coronary arteries and grafts are all calculated and illustrated in this paper. No significant difference of the native coronary arteries flow and graft flow exists between two surgical procedures. The wall shear stress (WSS) and streamline were also depicted. The graft WSS of sequential graft is 19.1% higher than Y-type graft. While flow separation appears at the bifurcation of Y-type graft. Conclusion: The short-term outcomes of sequential graft and Y-type graft are almost the same. But it can be found from the hemodynamics factors that the longterm patency of the sequential graft is better.     

兔后交叉韧带断裂后外侧胫骨平台退变的组织学研究

目的:探讨兔后交叉韧带(Posterior cruciate ligament,PCL)断裂对外侧胫骨平台组织学的影响。方法:48只家兔膝关节随机配对为实验侧和对照侧造模,造模后第4、8、16、24周各随机处死12只,行外侧胫骨平台大体观察、HE染色、免疫组化检测基质金属蛋白酶13(matrix metalloproteinase-13,MMP-13)、基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂1(Tisse inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinase1,TIMP-1)表达。结果:①大体观察,随时间延长,实验组外侧胫骨平台软骨出现磨损,呈灰黄色,弹性差,骨赘形成。②组织学观察,随时间延长,胫骨平台软骨纤维化,细胞排列紊乱,簇聚细胞出现频率增加。③实验组MMP-13、TIMP-1表达均高于对照组,有显著性差异,P<0.05。④实验组MMP-13、TIMP-1表达阳性率第4、8、16周逐渐升高,24周下降,各组比较有显著性差异,P<0.05。结论:①兔膝关节PCL断裂会引起外侧胫骨平台软骨退行性变,且该退变随着时间的推移逐渐加重。②MMP-13与TIMP-1在PCL断裂膝关节外侧胫骨平台中的表达呈现先高后低的变化规律,造成MMP-13与TIMP-1的失衡,加速软骨退变。③MMP-13与TIMP-1表达增高提示MMP-13与TIMP-1可能参与了PCL断裂后外侧胫骨平台软骨的退变过程。     

兔后交叉韧带断裂后外侧胫骨平台退变的组织学研究

目的：探讨兔后交叉韧带（Posterior cruciate ligament,PCL）断裂对外侧胫骨平台组织学的影响。方法：48只家兔膝关节随机配对为实验侧和对照侧造模,造模后第4、8、16、24周各随机处死12只,行外侧胫骨平台大体观察、HE染色、免疫组化检测基质金属蛋白酶13（matrix metalloproteinase-13,MMP-13）、基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂1（Tisse inhibitor-1 of matrix metalloproteinasel,TIMP-1）表达。结果：①大体观察,随时间延长,实验组外侧胫骨平台软骨出现磨损,呈灰黄色,弹性差,骨赘形成。②组织学观察,随时间延长,胫骨平台软骨纤维化,细胞排列紊乱,簇聚细胞出现频率增加。⑧实验组MMP-13、TIMP—1表达均高于对照组,有显著性差异。P〈0．05。④实验组MMP-13、TIMP-1表达阳性率第4、8、16周逐渐升高,24周下降,各组比较有显著性差异,P〈0．05。结论：①兔膝关节PCL断裂会引起外侧胫骨平台软骨退行性变,且该退变随着时间的推移逐渐加重。②MMP-13与TIMP-1在PCL断裂膝关节外侧胫骨平台中的表达呈现先高后低的变化规律,造成MMP-13与T1MP-1的失衡,加速软骨退变。⑨MMP-13与T／MP-1表达增高提示MMP-13与TIMP—1可能参与了PCL断裂后外侧胫骨平台软骨的退变过程。