Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Study

• Lipid protein analysis and cognitive status comparison [ Time Frame: 2008-2011 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

  Comparison studies will be done using the lipid protein analysis and imaging studies. The primary comparison will be between those that are symptomatic and those that are asymptomatic. Secondary comparisons will be done using the lipid protein analysis and patient history.

  Comparison of cognitive status between groups will be made using analysis of covariance in which the difference in follow-up score between groups (symptomatic/asymptomatic) is adjusted for baseline score. The baseline adjusted standard error is 6.4, which with 36 subjects per group will yield 90% power to detect a difference between groups of approximately 4.9 points at a significant level of 5%. We need 36 subjects per group to achieve the power stated. We have built in another 15% for projected dropout to insure we meet the final target.

  
  

This is a multi-investigator study based on the pathophysiology of carotid atherosclerosis and the variables that cause certain plaques to become symptomatic.Patients enrolled in this study will be those patients undergoing a carotid endarterectomy. This will include both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and there are a variety of atherosclerotic risk factors representing this patient population.Patients may or may not have had strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).Pre-operatively patients will be reviewed for their medical history and atherosclerotic risk factors. Plaque removed during routine carotid endarterectomy will be examined for study purposes.