Decreased Antioxidant Vitamin Concentration May Be a Risk Factor for Recurrent Carotid Stenosis

A systemic review into carotid plaque features as predictors of restenosis after carotid endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) limits its long-term efficacy for stroke prevention. Thus, it is of utmost importance to identify the factors that predispose a patient to restenosis after CEA. This systemic review aims to survey the current literature regarding restenosis after CEA and discuss the predictive value of carotid plaque features.

METHODS

A systemic review of studies on the predictive value of carotid plaque features for restenosis after CEA was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched up to March 20, 2020. Two authors independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias with the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. Given the heterogeneity in the measurement of prognostic factors, types of CEA, and clinical outcomes, a qualitative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one articles with a sample size that ranged from 11 to 1203 were included in this systematic review. Based on the presence of calcification in original carotid plaques, two progression patterns of restenosis were hypothesized: patients with calcified plaques may experience a temporary increase in the intima-media thickness (IMT) followed by a decrease in IMT after CEA, whereas patients with noncalcified plaques may experience a gradual increase in IMT after CEA. Accordingly, patients with a high calcium score may have a high restenosis rate within 6 months after CEA and a low restenosis rate thereafter. Thus, the late restenosis rate in patients with uniformly echogenic plaques was lower than that in patients with uniformly echolucent plaques. Pathologically, a lipid-rich, inflammatory carotid plaque is associated with a decreased risk of restenosis within 1 year after CEA, mainly owing to the relatively mild reactive intimal hyperplasia at the surgical site and active inflammation in the remaining media and adventitia. Molecular predictors for restenosis included a Mannose-binding lectin 2 genotype, preoperative C-reactive protein, serum homocysteine, apolipoprotein J, vitamin C, and telomere length of carotid plaques.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrated that carotid plaque features, including imaging features, cellular composition, and molecular features, are correlated with the risk of restenosis after CEA. A comprehensive evaluation of plaque characteristics may help to stratify the risk of restenosis after CEA.

Association between type D personality and in-stent restenosis in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: A mediation analysis of dietary patterns

OBJECTIVE

Type D personality is a psychosocial risk factor for cardiovascular events and in-stent restenosis (ISR), but the mechanisms involved are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary patterns on the association between Type D personality and ISR in patients with coronary artery disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study comprised a total of 230 post-PCI patients who were assessed for Type D personality, depression, dietary patterns, physical activity and medication adherence via self-administered questionnaires. ISR was assessed by coronary angiography.

RESULTS

Type D personality (odds ratio [OR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-10.71, p=0.042), low fruit intake (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12-0.68, p=0.008) and low vegetable intake (OR, 0.48, 95% CI, 0.27-0.91, p=0.021) were independent risk factors for ISR after adjustment for psychosocial, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors. Mediation analyses revealed that Type D personality had a significant direct effect on the development of ISR (p<0.05). In addition, nutrients in fruits and vegetables, including vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber, were important mediators of the relationship between Type D personality and ISR (p<0.05), the percentage of total indirect effect was 24.65%.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that the low intake of fruit and vegetables in Type D patients can predict ISR. The healthy dietary interventions to supply vitamin C, vitamin E and fiber may help to improve the prognosis in post-PCI patients with Type D personality.