Ultrasound Diagnosis of Carotid Plaque Instability Using Contrast-Enhanced and Microvascular Flow Imaging Techniques

Key Result

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and microvascular flow imaging enable detailed evaluation of carotid plaque instability by visualizing intraplaque neovascularization and micro-ulcers.

Key Points

• The research aims to evaluate the non-invasive assessment of carotid plaque instability using ultrasound techniques.
• Utilized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for visualizing neovascularization within plaques.
• Employed microvascular flow imaging (MVFI) to assess slow blood flow and micro-ulcers without contrast.
• Combined both imaging techniques for a comprehensive evaluation of plaque instability.
• CEUS demonstrated high sensitivity in visualizing neovascularization and micro-ulcers.
• MVFI effectively extracted slow blood flow, enhancing the understanding of plaque instability.
• The integration of CEUS and MVFI improved the qualitative assessment of carotid stenosis.