Correlation between serum uric acid levels and carotid plaque neovascularisation assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Abstract

To investigate the potential impact of serum uric acid (SUA) levels on the grade of intraplaque neovascularisation (IPN) at contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The study screened 212 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques using conventional ultrasound, and the patients then underwent CEUS. Based on the distribution of contrast medium microbubbles in the plaque, patients were split into three groups: 60 patients regarded as grade 0-1 (group A), 81 patients as grade 2 (group B), and 71 patients as grade 3 (group C), and SUA levels were measured on the second day after CEUS. The frequencies of stroke were statistically different between the three groups (p<0.05). In grades 0, 1, 2, and 3, SUA levels ranged from 236.92±72.75, 276.46±67.31, 283.93±53.85, and 384.49±79.80 μmol/l, respectively. Spearman's analysis showed that the visual grade of IPN at CEUS correlated linearly with the SUA level (r=0.551, p<0.01). The difference in SUA levels between different sexes was statistically significant (p<0.05), and the differences in plaque echogenicity and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the three groups were also statistically significant (all p<0.05). SUA levels correlate positively with the visual grade of IPN at CEUS, which may promote plaque vulnerability. The present results may further help to optimise therapy for vulnerable plaque and improve stroke risk stratification strategies.