Association between contrast-enhanced ultrasonography findings and prognosis in patients with carotid stenosis

Background: The characteristics of carotid plaque strongly influence the potential risk of stroke. However, few studies have followed up patients with carotid characteristics using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). Objective and Methods: Between July 2015 and September 2017, we enrolled 50 patients with carotid stenosis who underwent carotid ultrasonography (CUS), CEUS, and black-blood magnetic resonance imaging (BB-MRI) to evaluate the carotid characteristics. We assessed the correlation between enhancement-positive, ulcer-positive, T1-high, and recurrence or ipsilateral ischemic stroke or death. Results: Of the 50 patients hospitalized for carotid stenosis, 8 (16%) developed recurrence of ipsilateral ischemic stroke or died in the first year of follow-up. In the ulcer-positive group, the recurrence or death rate was 35% (6/17) during the first year, which was statistically different from that in the ulcer-negative group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Follow-up by CEUS in patients with ulcer-positive carotid plaque can provide valuable information regarding ipsilateral ischemic recurrences or death.