Objective To investigate the correlations between carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and plasma positive pentameric protein 3 (PTX3), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI).
Methods A total of 120 patients with ACI were selected and divided into unstable plaque group (USP group, n=40) and stable plaque group (SP group, n=42), non-plaque group (NP group, n=38) according to results of carotid color Doppler ultrasound examination. Another 40 healthy people with physical examinations at the same period were selected as the control group. Plasma PTX3 and hs-CRP levels of all subjects were detected, and carotid artery color ultrasound was performed to measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Plasma levels of PTX3, hs-CRP and CIMT were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations between plasma PTX3, hs-CRP levels and CIMT. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors related to the incidence of ACI and the occurrence of carotid atherosclastic plaque in ACI patients.
Results The levels of PTX3, hs-CRP and CIMT in the USP, SP, and NP groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of PTX3, hs-CRP in the USP, SP, and NP groups were gradually decreased (P < 0.05); Pearson correlation analysis showed that plasma PTX3 and hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with CIMT (P < 0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PTX3 and hs-CRP were independent risk factors for occurrence of ACI and instable plaque in the carotid artery in ACI patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The levels of plasma PTX3 and hs-CRP in ACI patients are significantly increased, and they are closely related to the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Early monitoring can help predict the occurrence of ACI.
DownLoad: