Association between ultrasound morphology of carotid plaque and carotid wall shear rate in patients with atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries

Aim – to investigate the relationship between the values of the carotid endothelial shear rate and ultrasound morphology of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries. Material and methods . The study involved 70 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, including 43 males and 27 females. The average age of patients was (61.1±8.54) years. All patients underwent ultrasound triplex scanning of carotid arteries. Ultrasonic plaque morphology was evaluated using several ultrasonographic characteristics: uniformity of echotexture and echogenicity. We used the classification of G. Geraulakos et al. (1993). Endothelial shear rate in the common carotid artery was determined in accordance with the law of Hagen – Poiseuille. Results . Most patients (30) had a plaque type I, less frequently occurred plaque II (15) and III (20 patients) types. Homogeneous echo positive plaques corresponding to «stable» phenotype were found in 5 patients. In patients with plaque type I and II, endothelial shear rate values were 373 (305; 481) s–1 and 311 (282; 419) s–1 respectively. In the groups of patients with plaque– type III and IV endothelial shear rate was significantly higher – 500 (429; 556) s–1 and 470 (440; 512) s–1 respectively. Among patients with plaque with a predominance of echolucent component, more patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were found (p=0.006). Conclusion . Carotid endothelial shear rate was significantly lower in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and echolucent plaques compared to those having predominantly hyperechoic plaque. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 was significantly higher in the group of patients with unstable plaque and low carotid endothelial shear rate.