Carotid artery color Doppler ultrasonography and plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and cystatin C in arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical application value of carotid artery color Doppler ultrasonography and the plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and cystatin C (Cys C) in the diagnosis and treatment of arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction. METHODS: Sixty patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction and 60 matched healthy participants were included. The patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. Carotid artery intima plaque formation and the intima–media thickness (IMT) were observed using carotid artery color Doppler ultrasonography. The correlation between IMT and the Lp-PLA2 or Cys C level was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction had a higher detection rate of carotid plaques, especially unstable plaques, than healthy participants. The plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 and Cys C were elevated in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction and increased with the NIHSS scores. The plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 and Cys C in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction were correlated with IMT. CONCLUSION: The combination of carotid artery color Doppler ultrasonography with the Lp-PLA2 and Cys C plasma levels is of great clinical value in the diagnosis and treatment of arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction.