What Is the Added Value of Carotid CEUS in the Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaque?

: Unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries is one of the main risk factors for cerebral ischemia. Duplex ultrasound is a frequently used diagnostic method, but it has some limitations for microvascularization and neovascularization evaluation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2024-02, Vol.60 (3), p.375
Main Authors: Lioznovs, Andrejs, Radzina, Maija, Saule, Laura, Grinbergs, Peteris Einars, Lacis, Aigars
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerotic plaque
Carotid arteries
Carotid Arteries - diagnostic imaging
Carotid Stenosis - diagnostic imaging
CEUS
Contrast agents
Contrast Media
Diagnosis
duplex Doppler ultrasonography
Humans
Ischemia
Medical imaging equipment
Neovascularization
Patients
Plaque, Atherosclerotic - diagnostic imaging
Review
Risk factors
stenosis
Stroke
Ultrasonic imaging
Ultrasonography
unstable plaque
Vein & artery diseases
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Summary:: Unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries is one of the main risk factors for cerebral ischemia. Duplex ultrasound is a frequently used diagnostic method, but it has some limitations for microvascularization and neovascularization evaluation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the role of the new multiparametric US method-contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-in atherosclerotic plaque instability verification. : Original studies, reviews, and meta-analyses were included in this article. A total of 53 studies were retrieved; 29 were included in this study. : Carotid artery CEUS as a part of the multiparametric ultrasound method shows promising results and provides additional characteristics of soft- and high-risk atherosclerotic plaques; it can be advised in clinical practice for patients with carotid artery soft- and high-risk plaques. However, there are some limitations, such as extensive calcinosis with important acoustic shadows in carotid atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization diagnostics by CEUS. The added value of CEUS in the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque is that it indicates regions with high neovascularization and visualizes ulcerations on plaque surfaces, suggestive of increased instability risk.
ISSN:1648-9144
1010-660X
1648-9144
DOI:10.3390/medicina60030375