Objective: To explore the effectiveness of superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis in treating moyamoya disease (MMD).
Methods: A total of 30 patients with MMD (hemorrhagic type, n = 13; ischemic type, n = 17) who had undergone STA-MCA anastomosis were enrolled in this study (anastomosis group). Cerebral blood flow was evaluated before and after surgery using cerebral angiography and computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging. In addition, 27 patients with MMD (hemorrhagic type, n = 11; ischemic type, n = 16) who had received only conservative treatment were enrolled as the control group. Patients in both the anastomosis group and the control group were followed up for 5 years, and the incidences of cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia were analyzed. Blood samples were collected in both groups before and after treatment. Mononuclear cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation. After labeling with 3 direct fluorescent antibodies (CD133, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2), the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was detected using flow cytometry.
Results: Cerebral blood flow was remarkably improved after STA-MCA anastomosis. The incidences of cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia were significantly lower in the anastomosis group than in the control group. The number of EPCs showed no significant change before and after treatment in the control group; in contrast, it was decreased significantly after surgery in the anastomosis group.
Conclusions: STA-MCA anastomosis can reduce the number of EPCs in MMD patients, lower the risk of rebreeding, and improve cerebral ischemic attacks.
Keywords: Endothelial progenitor cell; Moyamoya disease; STA-MCA anastomosis.
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