APOE ϵ 2 allele is an independent risk factor for vulnerable carotid plaque in ischemic stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
The data about apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) genotype and the risk of stroke are inconsistent. The APOE genotype is expected to influence the development of carotid plaques. Our aim was to look for association between APOE genotype and carotid plaque morphology in ischemic stroke patients.


RESULTS
Data of ischemic stroke patients was collected prospectively for 2 years. The degree of stenosis and plaque echogenicity and surface were assessed with ultrasound. Subsequent APOE genotypes were compared: APOE ϵ 3/ϵ 3 (E3--reference), APOE ϵ 2/ϵ 3 (E2 group) and APOE ϵ 3/ϵ 4, APOE ϵ 4/ϵ 4 (E4 group). We included 388 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients in E2 group had more often hypoechogenic, ulcerated plaques and severe stenosis comparing to E3 patients. On logistic regression analysis, ϵ 2 genotype remained an independent risk factor for vulnerable carotid plaque (OR  =  2.3 for <60% stenosis and OR  =  2.7 for ≥60% stenosis; 95% CI).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that ϵ 2 allele is an independent risk factor for echolucent and ulcerated carotid plaque.
Beata
B
Blazejewska-Hyzorek
Grazyna
G
Gromadzka
Marta
M
Skowronska
Anna
A
Czlonkowska
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
D053329:Apolipoprotein E2
Apolipoproteins,; Carotid plaque,; Ischemic stroke