Abstract
Purpose: Inhomogeneity of arterial wall thickness may be indicative of distal plaques. This study investigates the intra-subject association between relative spatial intima-media thickness (IMT) inhomogeneity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the degree of stenosis of plaques in the internal carotid artery (ICA). Materials and Methods: We included 240 patients with a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and mild-to-moderate stenosis in the ipsilateral ICA. IMT inhomogeneity was extracted from B-mode ultrasound recordings. The degree of ICA stenosis was assessed on CT angiography according to the European Carotid Surgery Trial method. Patients were divided into groups with a low (≤ 2 %) and a high (> 2 %) IMT inhomogeneity scaled with respect to the local end-diastolic diameter. Results: 182 patients had suitable CT and ultrasound measurements. Relative CCA-IMT inhomogeneity was similar for the symptomatic and asymptomatic side (difference: 0.02 %, p = 0.85). High relative IMT inhomogeneity was associated with a larger IMT (difference: 235 µm, p < 0.001) and larger degree of ICA stenosis (difference: 5 %, p = 0.023) which remained significant (p = 0.016) after adjustment for common risk factors. Conclusion: Regardless of common risk factors, high relative CCA-IMT inhomogeneity is associated with a greater degree of ICA stenosis and is therefore indicative of atherosclerotic disease. The predictive value of CCA-IMT inhomogeneity for plaque progression and recurrence of cerebrovascular symptoms will be determined in the follow-up phase of PARISK.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 523-529 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Keywords
- carotid arteries
- ultrasound 2D
- arteriosclerosis
- IMT inhomogeneity
- stroke/TIA
- CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
- INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE
- STROKE RECURRENCE
- BLOOD-PRESSURE
- B-MODE
- IMT
- ULTRASOUND
- INFARCTION
- ATHEROSCLEROSIS
- ENDARTERECTOMY