Advanced imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound can identify vulnerable carotid plaque features like intraplaque hemorrhage and lipid-rich necrotic cores to improve stroke risk stratification.
Do advanced imaging biomarkers improve the identification of vulnerable carotid plaques and stroke risk compared to conventional luminal stenosis measurements?
Routine assessment of imaging biomarkers for vulnerable carotid plaques may improve the identification of individuals at high risk for ischemic stroke beyond conventional stenosis measurements.
Identification of carotid artery atherosclerosis is conventionally based on measurements of luminal stenosis. However, histopathologic studies demonstrate considerable differences between plaques with identical degrees of stenosis and indicate that certain plaque features are associated with increased risk for ischemic events. As a result of the rapid technological evolution in medical imaging, several important steps have been taken in the field of carotid plaque imaging allowing us to visualize the carotid atherosclerotic plaque and its composition in great detail. For computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and ultrasound scan, evidence has accumulated on novel imaging-based markers that confer information on carotid plaque vulnerability, such as intraplaque hemorrhage and lipid-rich necrotic cores. In terms of the imaging-based identification of individuals at high risk of stroke, routine assessments of such imaging markers are the way forward for improving current clinical practice. The current review highlights the main characteristics of the vulnerable plaque indicating their role in the etiology of ischemic stroke as identified by intensive plaque imaging.
Saba et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Carotid artery atherosclerosis. Advanced imaging modalities (MRI, CT, PET, Ultrasound) was evaluated. Advanced imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound can identify vulnerable carotid plaque features like intraplaque hemorrhage and lipid-rich necrotic cores to improve stroke risk stratification.