Basic mechanisms in intracranial large-artery atherosclerosis: advances and challenges.

Abstract

Intracranial large-artery atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke worldwide. Patients affected by this disease are at a high risk of suffering recurrent ischemic events despite antithrombotic therapy. Progression and a greater extent of intracranial atherosclerosis imply a higher risk for recurrence. Studies performed by our group in patients with symptomatic intracranial large-artery atherosclerosis have shown that: (1) C-reactive protein predicts its progression and recurrence, suggesting that inflammation may play a deleterious role in this condition; (2) a high level of the anti-angiogenic endostatin is also associated with a progressive and recurrent intracranial atherosclerosis, which might support a beneficial role for angiogenesis in this group of patients; and (3) elevated lipoprotein(a) concentration and diabetes mellitus characterize those patients with a higher number of intracranial stenoses.

• Authors: Juan F Arenillas, José Alvarez-Sabín
• Journal: Cerebrovascular diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (Cerebrovasc Dis) Vol. 20 Suppl 2 Pg. 75-83 ( 2005) ISSN: 1015-9770 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16327256 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

Topics

• Atherosclerosis (complications, epidemiology, pathology)
• Cerebrovascular Disorders (epidemiology, etiology)
• Humans
• Inflammation (complications, pathology)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (pathology)
• Stroke (epidemiology, etiology)