Microembolic signal monitoring in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship of microembolic signals （MESs） between the degree of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, ultrasonic characteristics of plaques, peak systolic velocity at the stenotic site and risk factors for stroke. Methods A total of 52 patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were enrolled. MESs of bilateral middle cerebral arteries were monitored and detected by carotid color Doppler flow imaging. Results The positive rate of MESs on the symptomatic sides was significantly higher than that on the asymptomatic sides （28.8% vs. 4.5%, P 〈 0.05 ）. The positive rate was not significantly correlated with the degree of stenosis, ultrasonic characteristics of plaques, peak systolic velocity on the stenotic sides, and risk factors for stroke. Conclusions MESs mainly occurred on the symptomatic sides of carotid artery stenosis, and they were more closely correlated with unstable plaques. Key words: Carotid stenosis;  Carotid artery diseases;  Stroke;  Ischemic attack, transient;  Intracranial embolism;  Ultrasonography, Doppler