L'objectif principal de ce travail est d’étudier en profondeur certaines techniques biostatistiques avancées en recherche évaluative en chirurgie cardiaque adulte. Les études ont été conçues pour intégrer les concepts d'analyse de survie, analyse de régression avec “propensity score”, et analyse de coûts. Le premier manuscrit évalue la survie après la réparation chirurgicale de la dissection aigüe de l’aorte ascendante. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : analyses de survie avec régression paramétrique des phases de risque et d'autres méthodes paramétriques (exponentielle, Weibull), semi-paramétriques (Cox) ou non-paramétriques (Kaplan-Meier) ; survie comparée à une cohorte appariée pour l’âge, le sexe et la race utilisant des tables de statistiques de survie gouvernementales ; modèles de régression avec “bootstrapping” et “multinomial logit model”. L'étude a démontrée que la survie s'est améliorée sur 25 ans en lien avec des changements dans les techniques chirurgicales et d’imagerie diagnostique. Le second manuscrit est axé sur les résultats des pontages coronariens isolés chez des patients ayant des antécédents d'intervention coronarienne percutanée. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : modèles de régression avec “propensity score” ; algorithme complexe d'appariement (1:3) ; analyses statistiques appropriées pour les groupes appariés (différences standardisées, “generalized estimating equations”, modèle de Cox stratifié). L'étude a démontrée que l’intervention coronarienne percutanée subie 14 jours ou plus avant la chirurgie de pontages coronariens n'est pas associée à des résultats négatifs à court ou long terme. Le troisième manuscrit évalue les conséquences financières et les changements démographiques survenant pour un centre hospitalier universitaire suite à la mise en place d'un programme de chirurgie cardiaque satellite. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : modèles de régression multivariée “two-way” ANOVA (logistique, linéaire ou ordinale) ; “propensity score” ; analyses de coûts avec modèles paramétriques Log-Normal. Des modèles d’analyse de « survie » ont également été explorés, utilisant les «coûts» au lieu du « temps » comme variable dépendante, et ont menés à des conclusions similaires. L'étude a démontrée que, après la mise en place du programme satellite, moins de patients de faible complexité étaient référés de la région du programme satellite au centre hospitalier universitaire, avec une augmentation de la charge de travail infirmier et des coûts. / The main objective of this work is to study in depth advanced biostatistical techniques in adult cardiac surgery outcome research. The studies were designed to incorporate the concepts of survival analysis, regression analysis with propensity score, and cost analysis. The first manuscript assessed survival, and cardiovascular specific mortality, following surgical repair of acute ascending aortic dissection. The statistical analyses included survival analyses with multiphase parametric hazard regression and other parametric (exponential, Weibull), semi-parametric (Cox) or non-parametric models (Kaplan Meier), comparison with the survival of a matched cohort for age, gender and race using State lifetables, and modelization with bootstrapping and multinomial logit models. The study showed that the early and late survival following surgical repair has improved progressively over 25 years in association with noticeable changes in surgical techniques and preoperative diagnostic testing. The second manuscript focused on outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention. The statistical analyses included multivariable regression models with propensity score, complex matching algorithm (1:3) and appropriate statistical analyses for matched groups (standardized differences, generalized estimating equations, and survival analyses with stratified proportional hazards models). The study showed that remote prior percutaneous coronary intervention more than 14 days before coronary artery bypass grafting surgery was not associated with adverse outcomes at short or long-term follow-up. The third manuscript evaluated the financial consequences and the changes in case mix that occurred at an academic medical center subsequent to the implementation of a satellite cardiac surgery program. The statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA multivariable regression models (logistic, linear or ordinal), propensity score, and cost analyses using Log-Normal parametric models. “Survival” analyses models were also explored, using “cost” instead of “time” as the outcome of interest, and led to similar conclusions. The study showed that, after implementation of the satellite cardiac surgery program, fewer patients of lower complexity came to the academic medical center from the satellite program area, with a significant increase in nursing workload and costs.

O remodelamento vascular é um determinante fundamental do lúmen em doenças vasculares, porém os mecanismos envolvidos não estão completamente elucidados. Nós investigamos o papel da chaperona redox residente do retículo endoplasmático Dissulfeto Isomerase Proteica (PDI) e sua fração localizada na superfície celular (peri/epicelular=pecPDI) no calibre e arquitetura vascular durante reparação à lesão. Em artérias ilíacas de coelho submetidas à lesão in vivo, houve importante aumento do mRNA e expressão proteica (~25x aumento 14 dias pós-lesão vs. controle) da PDI. O silenciamento da PDI por siRNA (cultura de órgãos) acentuou o estresse do retículo e apoptose, diferentemente da inibição da pecPDI com anticorpo neutralizante (PDI Ab). Bloqueio in vivo da pecPDI por aplicação de gel perivascular contendo PDI Ab no 12° dia após lesão, com análise após 48 h, promoveu ca.25% redução no calibre vascular analisado por arteriografia e diminuição similar na área total do vaso detectada por tomografia de coerência óptica. Neste processo, não ocorreu alteração no tamanho da neoíntima, indicando assim, que PDI Ab acentuou remodelamento constrictivo. Neutralização da pecPDI promoveu importantes alterações na arquitetura da matriz de colágeno e citoesqueleto, resultando em fibras com orientação invertida e desorganizadas. Diminuição na produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e óxidos de nitrogênio também ocorreu. Análise de propriedades viscoelásticas nas artérias indicou redução na ductilidade vascular, evidenciada pela menor distância para ruptura. As alterações subcelulares no citoesqueleto observadas in vivo após PDI Ab foram recapituladas em um modelo de estiramento cíclico em células musculares lisas vasculares, com importante redução na formação das fibras de estresse. Em modelo de migração randômica de células musculares lisas, a exposição a PDI Ab reduziu a resiliência de regulação da polaridade. Embora a neutralização da pecPDI não tenha afetado a atividade global de RhoA, ela promoveu alterações no padrão de marcação em resposta ao estiramento, na redistribuição de RhoA na superfície celular e na associação com regiões contendo caveolina. Além disso, em aterosclerose nativa em humanos, a expressão da PDI correlacionou-se inversamente com remodelamento constrictivo. Dessa forma, PDI é fortemente expressa após a lesão e sua fração peri/epicelular remodela a arquitetura da matriz e citoesqueleto, promovendo um efeito anti-remodelamento constrictivo / Whole-vessel remodeling is a critical lumen caliber determinant in vascular disease, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Protein Disulfide Isomerase(PDI) and cell-surface PDI(peri/epicellular=pecPDI) pool in vascular caliber and architecture during vascular repair after injury(AI). After rabbit iliac artery balloon injury, there was marked increase in PDI mRNA and protein (25-fold vs. basal at day 14AI), with increase in both intracellular and pecPDI. Silencing PDI by siRNA (organ culture) induced ER stress augmentation and apoptosis, contrarily to pecPDI neutralization with PDI-antibody(PDI Ab). PecPDI neutralization in vivo with PDIAb-containing perivascular gel from days 12-14AI promoted ca.25% decrease in vascular caliber at arteriography and similar decreases in total vessel circumference at optical coherence tomography, without changing neointima, indicating increased constrictive remodeling. PecPDI neutralization promoted marked changes in collagen and cytoskeleton architecture, with inverted fiber orientation and disorganization. Decreased ROS and nitrogen oxide production also occurred. Viscoelastic artery properties assessment showed decreased ductility, evidenced by decreased distance to rupture. Subcellular cytoskeletal disruption by PDI Ab was recapitulated in vascular smooth muscle cell stretch model, with marked decrease in stress fiber buildup. Also, PDI Ab incubation promoted decreased regulation resilience of vascular smooth muscle migration properties. While pecPDI neutralization did not affect global RhoA activity, there was altered RhoA redistribution to the cell surface and association with caveolin-containing clusters, which mislocalized after stretch. In human coronary atheromas, PDI expression inversely correlated with constrictive remodeling. Thus, strongly-expressed PDI after injury reshapes matrix and cytoskeleton architecture to support an anticonstrictive remodeling effect

Introdução - Os custos para o tratamento da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) são altos em todo o mundo. Foi realizada uma análise post hoc de custo-efetividade de três estratégias terapêuticas para DAC multiarterial. Métodos - De maio de 1995 a maio de 2000, um total de 611 pacientes foram aleatoriamente designados para CRM (n = 203), ICP (n = 205) ou TM (n = 203). Este estudo de análise de custos baseou-se na perspectiva do Sistema Público de Saúde. Os custos iniciais de procedimentos e acompanhamento de medicamentos, exames cardiológicos e hospitalizações por complicações foram calculados após a randomização. Anos de vida e anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade (QALY) foram usados como medidas de eficácia. As razões de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) foram obtidas usando métodos de bootstrap não paramétricos com 5.000 replicações. Resultados - Os custos iniciais do procedimento foram menores para o TM. No entanto, os custos acumulados de 5 anos foram menores para a CRM. Em comparação com a linha de base, as 3 opções de tratamento produziram melhorias significativas no QALY. Após 5 anos, a ICP e a CRM tiveram melhores resultados de QALY em comparação com o TM. Os resultados da RCEI favoreceram a CRM e a ICP quando comparadas ao TM, já a ICP em relação à CRM foi mais custo-efetiva em 61% para limiares até 3 PIB per capita por QALY. Por outro lado, a análise de sensibilidade mostrou o TM como a terapia preferida em comparação com a CRM e ICP, na análise considerando custos mais elevados. Conclusão - No seguimento de 5 anos, a ICP e CRM mostraram ser os tratamentos com QALYs cumulativos mais altos entre pacientes com DAC multiarterial quando comparados com TM. Além disso, apesar dos custos iniciais serem mais elevados, a comparação de custo-efetividade após 5 anos de acompanhamento entre os 3 tratamentos mostrou que ambas as intervenções (CRM e ICP) são estratégias custo-efetivas em comparação com a TM / Background. The costs for treating coronary artery disease (CAD) are high worldwide. We performed a post hoc analysis of cost-effectiveness of 3 therapeutic strategies for multivessel CAD. Methods. From May 1995 to May 2000, a total of 611 patients were randomly assigned to CABG (n=203), PCI (n=205), or MT (n=203). This cost analysis study was based on the perspective of the Public Health Care System. Initial procedural and follow-up costs for medications, cardiology examinations, and hospitalizations for complications were calculated after randomization. Life-years and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were used as effectiveness measures. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were obtained by using nonparametric bootstrapping methods with 5000 resamples. Results. Initial procedural costs were lower for MT. However, the subsequent 5-year cumulative costs were lower for CABG. Compared with baseline, the 3 treatment options produced significant improvements in QALY. After 5 years, PCI and CABG had better QALY results compared with MT. The ICER results favored CRM and PCI when compared to the TM, since the PCI in relation to the CRM was more costeffective in 61% for the thresholds up to 3 GDP per capita per QALY. On the other hand, sensitivity analysis showed MT as the preferred therapy compared with CABG and PCI, in the analysis considering higher costs. Conclusion. At 5-year follow-up, the 3 treatment options yielded improvements in quality of life, with comparable and acceptable costs. However, despite higher initial costs, the comparison of costeffectiveness after 5 years of follow-up among the 3 treatments showed both interventions (CABG and PCI) to be cost-effective strategies compared with MT

Introdução - Os custos para o tratamento da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) são altos em todo o mundo. Foi realizada uma análise post hoc de custo-efetividade de três estratégias terapêuticas para DAC multiarterial. Métodos - De maio de 1995 a maio de 2000, um total de 611 pacientes foram aleatoriamente designados para CRM (n = 203), ICP (n = 205) ou TM (n = 203). Este estudo de análise de custos baseou-se na perspectiva do Sistema Público de Saúde. Os custos iniciais de procedimentos e acompanhamento de medicamentos, exames cardiológicos e hospitalizações por complicações foram calculados após a randomização. Anos de vida e anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade (QALY) foram usados como medidas de eficácia. As razões de custo-efetividade incremental (RCEI) foram obtidas usando métodos de bootstrap não paramétricos com 5.000 replicações. Resultados - Os custos iniciais do procedimento foram menores para o TM. No entanto, os custos acumulados de 5 anos foram menores para a CRM. Em comparação com a linha de base, as 3 opções de tratamento produziram melhorias significativas no QALY. Após 5 anos, a ICP e a CRM tiveram melhores resultados de QALY em comparação com o TM. Os resultados da RCEI favoreceram a CRM e a ICP quando comparadas ao TM, já a ICP em relação à CRM foi mais custo-efetiva em 61% para limiares até 3 PIB per capita por QALY. Por outro lado, a análise de sensibilidade mostrou o TM como a terapia preferida em comparação com a CRM e ICP, na análise considerando custos mais elevados. Conclusão - No seguimento de 5 anos, a ICP e CRM mostraram ser os tratamentos com QALYs cumulativos mais altos entre pacientes com DAC multiarterial quando comparados com TM. Além disso, apesar dos custos iniciais serem mais elevados, a comparação de custo-efetividade após 5 anos de acompanhamento entre os 3 tratamentos mostrou que ambas as intervenções (CRM e ICP) são estratégias custo-efetivas em comparação com a TM / Background. The costs for treating coronary artery disease (CAD) are high worldwide. We performed a post hoc analysis of cost-effectiveness of 3 therapeutic strategies for multivessel CAD. Methods. From May 1995 to May 2000, a total of 611 patients were randomly assigned to CABG (n=203), PCI (n=205), or MT (n=203). This cost analysis study was based on the perspective of the Public Health Care System. Initial procedural and follow-up costs for medications, cardiology examinations, and hospitalizations for complications were calculated after randomization. Life-years and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) were used as effectiveness measures. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were obtained by using nonparametric bootstrapping methods with 5000 resamples. Results. Initial procedural costs were lower for MT. However, the subsequent 5-year cumulative costs were lower for CABG. Compared with baseline, the 3 treatment options produced significant improvements in QALY. After 5 years, PCI and CABG had better QALY results compared with MT. The ICER results favored CRM and PCI when compared to the TM, since the PCI in relation to the CRM was more costeffective in 61% for the thresholds up to 3 GDP per capita per QALY. On the other hand, sensitivity analysis showed MT as the preferred therapy compared with CABG and PCI, in the analysis considering higher costs. Conclusion. At 5-year follow-up, the 3 treatment options yielded improvements in quality of life, with comparable and acceptable costs. However, despite higher initial costs, the comparison of costeffectiveness after 5 years of follow-up among the 3 treatments showed both interventions (CABG and PCI) to be cost-effective strategies compared with MT

L'objectif principal de ce travail est d’étudier en profondeur certaines techniques biostatistiques avancées en recherche évaluative en chirurgie cardiaque adulte. Les études ont été conçues pour intégrer les concepts d'analyse de survie, analyse de régression avec “propensity score”, et analyse de coûts. Le premier manuscrit évalue la survie après la réparation chirurgicale de la dissection aigüe de l’aorte ascendante. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : analyses de survie avec régression paramétrique des phases de risque et d'autres méthodes paramétriques (exponentielle, Weibull), semi-paramétriques (Cox) ou non-paramétriques (Kaplan-Meier) ; survie comparée à une cohorte appariée pour l’âge, le sexe et la race utilisant des tables de statistiques de survie gouvernementales ; modèles de régression avec “bootstrapping” et “multinomial logit model”. L'étude a démontrée que la survie s'est améliorée sur 25 ans en lien avec des changements dans les techniques chirurgicales et d’imagerie diagnostique. Le second manuscrit est axé sur les résultats des pontages coronariens isolés chez des patients ayant des antécédents d'intervention coronarienne percutanée. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : modèles de régression avec “propensity score” ; algorithme complexe d'appariement (1:3) ; analyses statistiques appropriées pour les groupes appariés (différences standardisées, “generalized estimating equations”, modèle de Cox stratifié). L'étude a démontrée que l’intervention coronarienne percutanée subie 14 jours ou plus avant la chirurgie de pontages coronariens n'est pas associée à des résultats négatifs à court ou long terme. Le troisième manuscrit évalue les conséquences financières et les changements démographiques survenant pour un centre hospitalier universitaire suite à la mise en place d'un programme de chirurgie cardiaque satellite. Les analyses statistiques utilisées comprennent : modèles de régression multivariée “two-way” ANOVA (logistique, linéaire ou ordinale) ; “propensity score” ; analyses de coûts avec modèles paramétriques Log-Normal. Des modèles d’analyse de « survie » ont également été explorés, utilisant les «coûts» au lieu du « temps » comme variable dépendante, et ont menés à des conclusions similaires. L'étude a démontrée que, après la mise en place du programme satellite, moins de patients de faible complexité étaient référés de la région du programme satellite au centre hospitalier universitaire, avec une augmentation de la charge de travail infirmier et des coûts. / The main objective of this work is to study in depth advanced biostatistical techniques in adult cardiac surgery outcome research. The studies were designed to incorporate the concepts of survival analysis, regression analysis with propensity score, and cost analysis. The first manuscript assessed survival, and cardiovascular specific mortality, following surgical repair of acute ascending aortic dissection. The statistical analyses included survival analyses with multiphase parametric hazard regression and other parametric (exponential, Weibull), semi-parametric (Cox) or non-parametric models (Kaplan Meier), comparison with the survival of a matched cohort for age, gender and race using State lifetables, and modelization with bootstrapping and multinomial logit models. The study showed that the early and late survival following surgical repair has improved progressively over 25 years in association with noticeable changes in surgical techniques and preoperative diagnostic testing. The second manuscript focused on outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention. The statistical analyses included multivariable regression models with propensity score, complex matching algorithm (1:3) and appropriate statistical analyses for matched groups (standardized differences, generalized estimating equations, and survival analyses with stratified proportional hazards models). The study showed that remote prior percutaneous coronary intervention more than 14 days before coronary artery bypass grafting surgery was not associated with adverse outcomes at short or long-term follow-up. The third manuscript evaluated the financial consequences and the changes in case mix that occurred at an academic medical center subsequent to the implementation of a satellite cardiac surgery program. The statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA multivariable regression models (logistic, linear or ordinal), propensity score, and cost analyses using Log-Normal parametric models. “Survival” analyses models were also explored, using “cost” instead of “time” as the outcome of interest, and led to similar conclusions. The study showed that, after implementation of the satellite cardiac surgery program, fewer patients of lower complexity came to the academic medical center from the satellite program area, with a significant increase in nursing workload and costs.

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...

Les travaux de cette thèse s’inscrivent dans le cadre du planning de traitements minimalement invasifs des lésions des artères coronaires. Le cardiologue réalise un examen coronarographique, puis dans la continuité, une angioplastie transluminale. L’angiographie rotationnelle à rayons X permet de visualiser sous différentes incidences 2D la lumière des artères coronaires sur plusieurs cycles cardiaques et aussi d’obtenir une reconstruction 3D+T des arbres coronaires. A partir de cette séquence, notre objectif est de déterminer automatiquement une incidence optimale 2D du segment sténosé compatible avec les angles du C-arm afin d’aider le cardiologue lors de l’intervention.Différentes étapes sont considérées pour calculer la position angulaire optimale du C-arm. Afin de suivre la zone de lésion durant le cycle cardiaque, une première méthode est proposée pour mettre en correspondance tous les arbres de la séquence 3D+T. Tout d’abord, un appariement deux à deux des arbres successifs est réalisé afin de construire un arbre d’union. Ces derniers sont ensuite fusionnés afin d’obtenir un arbre mosaïque représentant l’arbre le plus complet de la séquence. L’utilisation de mesures de similarités géométriques et hiérarchiques ainsi que l’insertion de nœuds artificiels permet de prendre en compte les différents mouvements non-rigides des artères coronaires subits au cours du cycle cardiaque et les variations topologiques dû à leurs extractions. Cet appariement nous permet de proposer une deuxième méthode afin d’obtenir une vue angiographique 2D optimale de la zone de lésion tout le long du cycle cardiaque. Cette incidence est proposée spécifiquement pour trois types de région d’intérêt (segment unique, segment multiple ou bifurcation) et est calculée à partir de quatre critères (raccourcissement, chevauchement interne et externe ou angle d’ouverture de bifurcation). Une vue 2D déployée du segment projeté avec le moins de superposition avec les structures vasculaires avoisinantes est obtenue. Nous donnons également la possibilité au cardiologue d’avoir une incidence optimale privilégiant soit le déploiement du stent ou soit le guidage d’outils de la racine de l’arbre à la zone sténosée. Nos différents algorithmes ont été évalués sur une séquence réelle de 10 phases segmentées à partir d’un CT et de 41 séquences simulées. / The thesis work deals with the planning of minimally invasive surgery of coronary artery lesions. The physician performs a coronarography following by a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The X-ray rotational angiography permits to visualize the lumen artery under different projection angles in several cardiac cycles. From these 2D projections, a 3D+T reconstruction of coronary arteries can be obtained. Our goal is to determine automatically from this 3D+T sequence, the optimal angiographic viewing angle of the stenotic segment. Several steps are proposed to compute the optimal angular position of the C-arm. Firstly, a mosaic-based tree matching algorithm of the 3D+T sequence is proposed to follow the stenotic lesion in the whole cardiac cycle. A pair-wise inexact tree matching is performed to build a tree union between successive trees. Next, these union trees are merged to obtain the mosaic tree which represents the most complete tree of the sequence. To take into account the non-rigid movement of coronary arteries during the cardiac cycle and their topology variations due to the 3D reconstruction or segmentation, similarity measures based on hierarchical and geometrical features are used. Artificial nodes are also inserted. With this global tree sequence matching, we propose secondly a new method to determine the optimal viewing angle of the stenotic lesion throughout the cardiac cycle. This 2D angiographic view which is proposed for three regions of interest (single segment, multiple segment or bifurcation) is computed from four criteria: the foreshortening, the external and internal overlap and the bifurcation opening angle rates. The optimal view shows the segment in its most extended and unobstructed dimension. This 2D view can be optimal either for the deployment of the stent or for the catheter guidance (from the root to the lesion). Our different algorithms are evaluated on real sequence (CT segmentation) and 41 simulated sequences.

O remodelamento vascular é um determinante fundamental do lúmen em doenças vasculares, porém os mecanismos envolvidos não estão completamente elucidados. Nós investigamos o papel da chaperona redox residente do retículo endoplasmático Dissulfeto Isomerase Proteica (PDI) e sua fração localizada na superfície celular (peri/epicelular=pecPDI) no calibre e arquitetura vascular durante reparação à lesão. Em artérias ilíacas de coelho submetidas à lesão in vivo, houve importante aumento do mRNA e expressão proteica (~25x aumento 14 dias pós-lesão vs. controle) da PDI. O silenciamento da PDI por siRNA (cultura de órgãos) acentuou o estresse do retículo e apoptose, diferentemente da inibição da pecPDI com anticorpo neutralizante (PDI Ab). Bloqueio in vivo da pecPDI por aplicação de gel perivascular contendo PDI Ab no 12° dia após lesão, com análise após 48 h, promoveu ca.25% redução no calibre vascular analisado por arteriografia e diminuição similar na área total do vaso detectada por tomografia de coerência óptica. Neste processo, não ocorreu alteração no tamanho da neoíntima, indicando assim, que PDI Ab acentuou remodelamento constrictivo. Neutralização da pecPDI promoveu importantes alterações na arquitetura da matriz de colágeno e citoesqueleto, resultando em fibras com orientação invertida e desorganizadas. Diminuição na produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e óxidos de nitrogênio também ocorreu. Análise de propriedades viscoelásticas nas artérias indicou redução na ductilidade vascular, evidenciada pela menor distância para ruptura. As alterações subcelulares no citoesqueleto observadas in vivo após PDI Ab foram recapituladas em um modelo de estiramento cíclico em células musculares lisas vasculares, com importante redução na formação das fibras de estresse. Em modelo de migração randômica de células musculares lisas, a exposição a PDI Ab reduziu a resiliência de regulação da polaridade. Embora a neutralização da pecPDI não tenha afetado a atividade global de RhoA, ela promoveu alterações no padrão de marcação em resposta ao estiramento, na redistribuição de RhoA na superfície celular e na associação com regiões contendo caveolina. Além disso, em aterosclerose nativa em humanos, a expressão da PDI correlacionou-se inversamente com remodelamento constrictivo. Dessa forma, PDI é fortemente expressa após a lesão e sua fração peri/epicelular remodela a arquitetura da matriz e citoesqueleto, promovendo um efeito anti-remodelamento constrictivo / Whole-vessel remodeling is a critical lumen caliber determinant in vascular disease, but underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated the role of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone Protein Disulfide Isomerase(PDI) and cell-surface PDI(peri/epicellular=pecPDI) pool in vascular caliber and architecture during vascular repair after injury(AI). After rabbit iliac artery balloon injury, there was marked increase in PDI mRNA and protein (25-fold vs. basal at day 14AI), with increase in both intracellular and pecPDI. Silencing PDI by siRNA (organ culture) induced ER stress augmentation and apoptosis, contrarily to pecPDI neutralization with PDI-antibody(PDI Ab). PecPDI neutralization in vivo with PDIAb-containing perivascular gel from days 12-14AI promoted ca.25% decrease in vascular caliber at arteriography and similar decreases in total vessel circumference at optical coherence tomography, without changing neointima, indicating increased constrictive remodeling. PecPDI neutralization promoted marked changes in collagen and cytoskeleton architecture, with inverted fiber orientation and disorganization. Decreased ROS and nitrogen oxide production also occurred. Viscoelastic artery properties assessment showed decreased ductility, evidenced by decreased distance to rupture. Subcellular cytoskeletal disruption by PDI Ab was recapitulated in vascular smooth muscle cell stretch model, with marked decrease in stress fiber buildup. Also, PDI Ab incubation promoted decreased regulation resilience of vascular smooth muscle migration properties. While pecPDI neutralization did not affect global RhoA activity, there was altered RhoA redistribution to the cell surface and association with caveolin-containing clusters, which mislocalized after stretch. In human coronary atheromas, PDI expression inversely correlated with constrictive remodeling. Thus, strongly-expressed PDI after injury reshapes matrix and cytoskeleton architecture to support an anticonstrictive remodeling effect

Introduction: Internal Carotid Stump Syndrome may be one of the possible causes of ischemic stroke (iCMP), as well as retinal infarction (RI). Syndrome of the occluded internal carotid (ACI) (stump syndrome) is a nosological unit, which is characterized by an onset of ipsilateral iCMP or RI of thromboembolic ethiology in patients with occlusion of ACI via the externa carotid or arteria ophthalmica. In my thesis, I have concentrated upon the specification of the stump syndrome, its diagnostics and treatment; furthermore I have assessed the appropriateness of surgical approach in comparison with conservative approach. Material and methods: A total of 621 patients with occlusion were treated in two centres in the course of five years. In a group of 40 patients, the ACI occlusion was detected sonographically, the length of the occluded ACI being >5 mm, with normal vasoreactivity based upon SPECT CO2 and excluded cardiogenic cause of iCMP. The patients were divided in two groups - surgical and conservative. Patients were monitored in 6-month intervals for the total period of four years. Results: No RI or iCMP were detected in the surgical group; one patient died six months after surgery. We observed one case of amaurosis fugax in the conservative group. Conclusion: Ultrasound examination is a fully sufficient...

Η οπτική συνεκτική τομογραφία με τη χρήση συχνοτήτων ( FD-OCT) είναι μια ενδαγγειακή απεικονιστική μέθοδος που χρησιμοποιεί εγγύς στο υπέρυθρο φως, για να παράγει υψηλής ανάλυσης εικόνες του τοιχώματος του αυλού του αγγείου. Όπως και στην τεχνολογία υπερήχων, εκπέμπεται φωτεινή ενέργεια η οποία ανακλάται και εξασθενεί, σύμφωνα με την υφή του προσπιπτομένου ιστού. Το OCT μπορεί να απεικονίσει, με ανάλυση από 10 έως 20 μm, μικροδομές του αγγειακού τοιχώματος με εξαίσια λεπτομέρεια. Μέχρι σήμερα, η δυνατότητα εφαρμογής της μεθόδου είχε περιοριστεί σε μικρές αρτηρίες διαμέτρου έως 4mm και δεν είχε εφαρμοστεί in vivo στα αγγεία των κάτω άκρων, κάτωθεν του επιπέδου των βουβώνων. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι να αναφερθεί για παγκοσμίως πρώτη φορά η ασφάλεια και η σκοπιμότητα της απεικόνισης με Οπτική Συνεκτική Τομογραφία του αρτηριακού άξονα των κάτω άκρων , κάτωθεν του επιπέδου της βουβώνας ( μηροϊγνυακός άξονας και κνημιαία αγγεία), καθώς και οι σχετιζόμενες με το FD-OCT επιπλοκές. Επιπρόσθετα, να διερευνηθούν για πρώτη φορά, με τη χρήση FD-OCT, τα χαρακτηριστικά του αγγειακού τοιχώματος του ανωτέρω άξονα (τόσο πριν όσο και μετά από αγγειοπλαστική ή/και τοποθέτηση stent), η μορφολογία της αθηρωματικής πλάκας, η μορφολογία και η ποσοτικοποίηση της υπερπλασίας του νέου εσωτερικού χιτώνα (neointima) εντός του stent, η επαναστένωση εντός του stent (ISR) και η κακή εναπόθεση (malapposition) των stent struts σε μια σειρά από ασθενείς που πάσχουν από περιφερική αρτηριοπάθεια (PAD). Μελετήθηκαν, με ποσοτική ανάλυση του αυλού τους (Quantitative vascular analysis), αρτηρίες με διάμετρο έως 7 χιλιοστά. Μικτά χαρακτηριστικά από περιοχές πλούσιες σε λιπίδια, εναποθέσεις ασβεστίου και ασβεστοποιημένες πλάκες, νεκρωτικές περιοχές και ίνωση εντοπίστηκαν σε όλες τις απεικονιζόμενες αθηροσκληρωτικές βλάβες. Ωστόσο, με βάση το επικρατέστερο από τα παραπάνω απεικονιστικά χαρακτηριστικά, οι βλάβες στο πλαίσιο της έρευνας ταξινομήθηκαν ως αμιγώς ινωτικές, ως ινοασβεστοποιημένες, ως πλούσιες σε λιπίδια και τέλος ως νεκρωτικές/ασβεστοποιημένες. Συσσώρευση των μακροφάγων εντός της αθηρωματικής πλάκας σημειώθηκε σε μικρό ποσοστό των de novo αθηρωματικών αλλοιώσεων. Ποικίλοι βαθμοί υπερπλασίας του νέου έσω χιτώνα απεικονίσθηκαν σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις ISR αλλοιώσεων, με καθαρά ινωτικά χαρακτηριστικά και σημαντική νεοαγγείωση σε κάποιες από αυτές. Η νεοαγγείωση συνέπεσε με το επίπεδο της μέγιστης στένωσης του αγγειακού αυλού. Σημαντικού βαθμού διαχωρισμός με μεγάλο περιορισμό του αγγειακού αυλού, τέτοιος ώστε να απαιτηθεί να τοποθετηθεί ενδοαυλικό stent, ανιχνεύθηκε σε αρκετές περιπτώσεις της de novo αθηρωμάτωσης. Η ψηφιακή αφαιρετική αγγειογραφία παρέλειψε να προσδιορίσει μεγάλο ποσοστό των σοβαρών διαχωρισμών μετά από αγγειοπλαστική. Η νεοαθηροσκλήρυνση εντός του νέου έσω χιτώνα των κνημιαίων φαρμακευτικών stents (DES), είναι ένα συχνό εύρημα τόσο στους συμπτωματικούς όσο και στους ασυμπτωματικούς ασθενείς. Μπορούμε να υποθέσουμε ότι, κατά αναλογία με τα εμφυτευμένα DES στα στεφανιαία αγγεία, η ελαττωματική ενδοθηλιοποίηση που προκαλείται από την εκλυόμενη φαρμακευτική ουσία, μαζί με την νεοαγγείωση που αναπτύσσεται μεταξύ των stent struts, μπορούν να υποδαυλίσουν την νεοαθηροσκλήρυνση εντός του νέου έσω χιτώνα των κνημιαίων DES, η οποία μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε επαναστένωση εντός του stent (ISR) και απώλεια του εμβαδού του αυλού των περιφερικών αρτηριών. Οι παρατηρήσεις της μελέτης αυτής θέτουν σε αμφισβήτηση το παραδοσιακό τρόπο κατανόησης της περιφερειακής επαναστένωσης εντός του stent ως μιας απλής υπερπολλαπλασιαστικής απάντησης στο βαρότραυμα. Η απεικόνιση με FD-OCT είναι ένα βέλτιστο πειραματικό εργαλείο για την αξιολόγηση της εξέλιξης της αθηροσκληρωματικής νόσου και την επαναστένωση του αγγείου. Μπορεί να παρέχει υψηλής ευκρίνειας ενδοαγγειακή απεικόνιση κατά τη διάρκεια αγγειοπλαστικών επεμβάσεων στα κάτω άκρα και θα μπορούσε να αποδειχθεί κλινικά χρήσιμο για τον προσδιορισμό της εντός του stent πρόπτωσης ιστού και του strut malapposition. Παρ 'όλα αυτά, δεν πρέπει να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως εργαλείο για τη συνήθη κλινική πρακτική μέχρι να προκύψουν στοιχεία από περαιτέρω κλινικές δοκιμές για τον καθορισμό των ειδικών ενδείξεων της απεικόνισης με FD-OCT στις περιφερικές αρτηρίες. / Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a catheter-based imaging method that employs near-infrared light to produce high-resolution intravascular images. OCT can readily visualize vessel microstructure at a 10- to 20-μm resolution with exquisite detail. To date, however, applicability of the method has been limited to small diameter arteries (≤4 mm). To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first worldwide that demonstrates the safety and clinical feasibility of frequency domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FD-OCT) imaging of infrainguinal vessels in vivo during infrainguinal angioplasty procedures. It is also the first study that reports the use of intravascular FD-OCT to detect and characterize in-stent neointimal tissue following infrapopliteal drug eluting stent (DES) placement in patients suffering from critical limb ischemia. Quantitative lumen analysis of arteries with diameter up to 7 mm was performed. High-resolution OCT images provided exquisite two-dimensional axial and longitudinal views of the infrainguinal arteries and allowed thorough investigation of a variety of angioplasty sequela, including and not limited to intimal tears and dissection flaps, white and red thrombus, stent mesh malapposition, and intrastent plaque prolapse. Of interest, OCT identified cases of suboptimal postangioplasty outcome that single-plane subtraction angiography did not recognize and accounted. Mixed features of lipid pool areas, calcium deposits and calcified plaques, necrotic areas, and fibrosis were identified in all of the imaged atherosclerotic lesions. However, based on the predominant baseline imaging findings, lesions under investigation were classified as purely fibrotic, fibrocalcific, mostly lipid-laden and necrotic/calcified. Intraplaque accumulation of macrophages was noted in some of de novo atheromatic lesions. Varying degrees of neointimal hyperplasia were demonstrated in all cases of in stent restenosis (ISR) lesions with purely fibrotic features and considerable neovascularization in some of them. The latter finding coincided with the level of maximum vessel stenosis in all cases. Neoatherosclerosis following infrapopliteal DES placement is a frequent finding in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Our preliminary observations allow us to speculate that analogous to coronary implanted DES, defective endothelialization induced by the eluted drug, along with neovascularization developing between the stent struts, may incite neointimal neoatherosclerosis, which may result in ISR and lumen loss of the peripheral arteries. It also seems that infrapopliteal neoatherosclerosis may be a significant contributing factor for ISR rather than a minor and sporadic process, highlighting the clinical significance of the phenomenon. Our observations put in dispute the traditional way of understanding peripheral in-stent restenosis as a simple hyperproliferative response to barotraumas and may explain the paramount importance of aggressive risk factor modification strategies. Neointimal neoatherosclerosis as identified by FD-OCT may have a role in the development of below-the-knee restenosis and thus warrants further investigation by larger controlled studies. Moreover, it may prove clinically useful for the determination of intrastent tissue prolapse and strut malapposition. FD-OCT should not be utilized as a tool for routine clinical practice until evidence from further clinical trials emerge to determine the specific indications for OCT imaging of the peripheral arteries.