open access

Vol 11, No 1 (2005)
Research paper
Published online: 2005-01-14
Get Citation

Histological and immunohistochemical features of atherosclerotic plaques retrieved from patients with restenosis after carotid endarterectomy

Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek, Grzegorz Madycki, Walerian Staszkiewicz, Teresa Wagner
Acta Angiologica 2005;11(1):1-13.

open access

Vol 11, No 1 (2005)
Original papers
Published online: 2005-01-14

Abstract

Background. Restenosis is an important issue after classic and endovascular revascularization of atherosclerotic carotid arteries. Pathogenesis of this phenomenon remains unclear and unsolved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of atherosclerotic plaques retrieved at carotid endatrerectomy in patients who developed restenosis at ultrasound follow-up.
Material and methods. One hundred thirty patients operated because of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis were evaluated. On the base of postoperative ultrasound examinations 52 patients were qualified for this study. Atherosclerotic plaques were investigated histopathologically and with immunohistochemical methods with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (DAKO) to define the phenotype of inflammatory, smooth muscle and endothelial cells as well as fibrinogen deposits and HLADPQR antigens.
Results. By means of the ultrasonography, in a period of 6–18 months following the surgery, patients were classified into two, significantly different groups: group I with an evident restenosis and group II without restenosis nor intimal hyperplasia. Advanced and fibrocellular atherosclerotic plaques with thrombosis, intraplaque haemorrhages, fibrous cap rupture, intimal hyperplasia, necrosis, calcium and cholesterol deposits were found more often in patients of group I. Moreover, the percentage of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMA+) and fibrinogen (Fbg+) deposits was significantly higher in this group (p < 0.005). Atherosclerotic plaques from group II patients were more frequently fibrosclerotic and were rich in macrophages (Mac 387+) (p = 0.007). Inflammatory infiltrates consisting mainly of lymphocytes T (CD3+, OPD 4+) and mast cells (mast cells tryptase +), limfocytes T (CD8+), limfocytes B ( CD20+) were more frequent in group I.
Conclusion. Although classic risk factors of atherosclerosis do not play a role in the development of restenosis, histological and immunohistochemical (SMA, Fbg, Mac 387) studies of primary atherosclerotic plaques may be useful to selected the patients at risk of carotid postendartrectomy restenosis.

Abstract

Background. Restenosis is an important issue after classic and endovascular revascularization of atherosclerotic carotid arteries. Pathogenesis of this phenomenon remains unclear and unsolved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of atherosclerotic plaques retrieved at carotid endatrerectomy in patients who developed restenosis at ultrasound follow-up.
Material and methods. One hundred thirty patients operated because of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis were evaluated. On the base of postoperative ultrasound examinations 52 patients were qualified for this study. Atherosclerotic plaques were investigated histopathologically and with immunohistochemical methods with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (DAKO) to define the phenotype of inflammatory, smooth muscle and endothelial cells as well as fibrinogen deposits and HLADPQR antigens.
Results. By means of the ultrasonography, in a period of 6–18 months following the surgery, patients were classified into two, significantly different groups: group I with an evident restenosis and group II without restenosis nor intimal hyperplasia. Advanced and fibrocellular atherosclerotic plaques with thrombosis, intraplaque haemorrhages, fibrous cap rupture, intimal hyperplasia, necrosis, calcium and cholesterol deposits were found more often in patients of group I. Moreover, the percentage of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMA+) and fibrinogen (Fbg+) deposits was significantly higher in this group (p < 0.005). Atherosclerotic plaques from group II patients were more frequently fibrosclerotic and were rich in macrophages (Mac 387+) (p = 0.007). Inflammatory infiltrates consisting mainly of lymphocytes T (CD3+, OPD 4+) and mast cells (mast cells tryptase +), limfocytes T (CD8+), limfocytes B ( CD20+) were more frequent in group I.
Conclusion. Although classic risk factors of atherosclerosis do not play a role in the development of restenosis, histological and immunohistochemical (SMA, Fbg, Mac 387) studies of primary atherosclerotic plaques may be useful to selected the patients at risk of carotid postendartrectomy restenosis.
Get Citation

Keywords

carotid arteries; atherosclerosis; endarterectomy; restenosis; histology; immunohistochemistry

About this article
Title

Histological and immunohistochemical features of atherosclerotic plaques retrieved from patients with restenosis after carotid endarterectomy

Journal

Acta Angiologica

Issue

Vol 11, No 1 (2005)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

1-13

Published online

2005-01-14

Page views

883

Article views/downloads

1543

Bibliographic record

Acta Angiologica 2005;11(1):1-13.

Keywords

carotid arteries
atherosclerosis
endarterectomy
restenosis
histology
immunohistochemistry

Authors

Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
Grzegorz Madycki
Walerian Staszkiewicz
Teresa Wagner

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl