Abstract
Background: Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. This risk is related to plaque vulnerability and is characterized by plaque morphology, intraplaque neovascularization, and cerebral microembolization. Advanced neurosonology can identify vulnerable plaques and aid in preventing subsequent stroke. We aimed to assess the time course of cerebral microembolization and intraplaque neovascularization during 6 months of follow-up and to explore the utility of advanced neurosonology in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.Methods: Fifteen patients with acute cerebral ischemia and carotid artery plaques underwent comprehensive extra- and intracranial ultrasound examinations, including microemboli detection and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The examinations were repeated after 3 and 6 months.Results: We examined 28 plaques in 15 patients. The ultrasonographic features of plaque vulnerability were frequent in symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques. There were no significant differences in stenosis degree, plaque composition, plaque surface, neovascularization, or cerebral microembolization between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques, but symptomatic plaques had a higher number of vulnerable features. None of the patients had recurrent clinical stroke or transient ischemic attack during the follow-up period. We observed a decrease in cerebral microembolization at 6 months, but no significant change in intraplaque neovascularization.Conclusions: In patients with acute cerebral ischemia and carotid artery plaques, cerebral microembolization decreased during 6 months of follow-up, indicating plaque stabilization.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrial.gov, identifier NCT02759653.
Highlights
Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a frequent cause of ischemic stroke [1]
There were no significant differences in stenosis degree, plaque composition, plaque surface, neovascularization, or cerebral microembolization between symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques, but symptomatic plaques had a higher number of vulnerable features
In patients with acute cerebral ischemia and carotid artery plaques, cerebral microembolization decreased during 6 months of follow-up, indicating plaque stabilization
Summary
Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a frequent cause of ischemic stroke [1]. Risk stratification and treatment recommendations have traditionally been based on the degree of stenosis and the occurrence of ischemic events in the corresponding vascular territory [2, 3]. Intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) seems to be a useful indicator of plaque vulnerability, and previous studies have shown a strong correlation between the degree of IPN and the risk of plaque rupture and subsequent stroke [10, 11]. We aimed to assess temporal changes in microembolization and neovascularization during a 6-month follow-up study and explored the utility of advanced neurosonology in acute ischemic stroke. Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. This risk is related to plaque vulnerability and is characterized by plaque morphology, intraplaque neovascularization, and cerebral microembolization. We aimed to assess the time course of cerebral microembolization and intraplaque neovascularization during 6 months of follow-up and to explore the utility of advanced neurosonology in patients with acute cerebral ischemia
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