ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND HEMOSTATIC MARKERS INPATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL SMALL ARTERY DISEASE

The purposes of this study were to investigate the association between carotid atherosclerosis and hemostatic markers, and to elucidate the difference in hemostatic markers between intima-media thickening and p laque formation in patients with cerebral small artery disease. We inv estigated carotid atherosclerosis by assessing diffuse intima-media th ickness measurements and localized plaque using B-mode ultrasonography , and we measured the concentrations of plasma fibrinogen, beta-thromb oglobulin and platelet factor 4 as markers for platelet activation, an d the activity of plasma von Willebrand factor as a marker for endothe lial damage. The intima-media thickness was significantly associated w ith age, male sex, the concentrations of plasma beta-thromboglobulin a nd platelet factor 4, and the activity of plasma von Willebrand factor . The plaque score showed a significant association with male sex, the concentration of fibrinogen, and the activity of plasma von Willebran d factor. These results may indicate that underlying mechanisms are no t the same between the intima-media thickness and plaque formation. We suggest that hemostatic markers could reflect the severity of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with cerebral small artery disease, and t hat preventive antiplatelet therapies against brain infarction might b e necessary for patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.