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01-07-2013 | Vascular-Interventional

Characterisation of carotid plaques with ultrasound elastography: feasibility and correlation with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Authors: Cyrille Naim, Guy Cloutier, Elizabeth Mercure, François Destrempes, Zhao Qin, Walid El-Abyad, Sylvain Lanthier, Marie-France Giroux, Gilles Soulez

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2013

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the ability of ultrasound non-invasive vascular elastography (NIVE) strain analysis to characterise carotid plaque composition and vulnerability as determined by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Thirty-one subjects with 50 % or greater carotid stenosis underwent NIVE and high-resolution MRI of internal carotid arteries. Time-varying strain images (elastograms) of segmented plaques were generated from ultrasonic raw radiofrequency sequences. On MRI, corresponding plaques and components were segmented and quantified. Associations between strain parameters, plaque composition and symptomatology were estimated with curve-fitting regressions and Mann–Whitney tests.

Results

Mean stenosis and age were 72.7 % and 69.3 years, respectively. Of 31 plaques, 9 were symptomatic, 17 contained lipid and 7 were vulnerable on MRI. Strains were significantly lower in plaques containing a lipid core compared with those without lipid, with 77–100 % sensitivity and 57–79 % specificity (P < 0.032). A statistically significant quadratic fit was found between strain and lipid content (P < 0.03). Strains did not discriminate symptomatic patients or vulnerable plaques.

Conclusions

Ultrasound NIVE is feasible in patients with significant carotid stenosis and can detect the presence of a lipid core with high sensitivity and moderate specificity. Studies of plaque progression with NIVE are required to identify vulnerable plaques.

Key points

• Non-invasive vascular elastography (NIVE) provides additional information in vascular ultrasound

• Ultrasound NIVE is feasible in patients with significant carotid stenosis

• Ultrasound NIVE detects a lipid core with high sensitivity and moderate specificity

• Studies on plaque progression with NIVE are required to identify vulnerable plaques

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Title: Characterisation of carotid plaques with ultrasound elastography: feasibility and correlation with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Cyrille Naim
Guy Cloutier
Elizabeth Mercure
François Destrempes
Zhao Qin
Walid El-Abyad
Sylvain Lanthier
Marie-France Giroux
Gilles Soulez
Publication date: 01-07-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-2772-7

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Characterisation of carotid plaques with ultrasound elastography: feasibility and correlation with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key points

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