ObjectiveTo summarize the current advancement of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) participating in formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and to find out the potential treatment strategy of AAA. MethodsRelevant literatures about PPARs and formation of AAA were reviewed. ResultsAAA involved inflammation of all the layers of aorta, and the formation of AAA needed many kinds of inflammatory cells and cytokines. Many researches in vitro or in vivo had shown that PPARs could reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, to reduce formation of AAA. However, PPARγ was also confirmed to participate in the formation of AAA and the mechanism might be the transformation of macrophage from type 1 macrophage (M1) to type 2 macrophage (M2). According to the existing studies, the assumption could be that PPARγ can suppress the inflammatory function of M1 to reduce formation of AAA at the initiating stage, and promote formation of AAA by inducing the transform of macrophage to M2 at the late stage. ConclusionPPARs may be a potential targeting point for the prevention of AAA. More studies are needed to show the feasibility and to decide the application timing.
ObjectiveTo summarize the experience in treating the elderly patients (≥75 years old) with carotid artery stenosis, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the carotid endarterectomy (CEA). MethodsThe datum of 312 cases with carotid artery stenosis and underwent the CEA in the vascular surgery department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from October 2009 to October 2012 were retrospectively analized.The risk factors of the CEA in treating the elderly patients were analized, and the measures to prevent perioperative complications were discussed. ResultsThirty-nine cases were brought into the research.The mean follow-up was (22.18±8.71) months.Thirty-three cases (84.6%) were male and 6 cases (15.4%) were female.The median age was 77 years old (75-82 years old).Eleven cases (28.2%) were with bilateral lesions, and 7 cases (17.9%) were asymptomatic.A total of 39 CEA procedures were successfully performed, 22 artificial vascular patches (56.4%) and 16 shunts (41.0%) were used.The mean average hospital stay was (17.38±5.39) days.One case showed cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome in 2th day after operation, another 1 case was found ipsilateral restenosis in 15th month after operation. ConclusionCEA is a safe and effective measure in treating the elderly patients with carotid artery stenosis, if the the indications of surgery is performed strictly.