Systematic Review on Magnetic Resonance Angiography with Vessel Wall Imaging for the Characterization of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Plaque.
Ann Vasc Surg
; 95: 224-232, 2023 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37164170
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
To perform a systematic literature review to assess the usefulness of performing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with vessel wall imaging (VWI) sequences for the assessment of symptomatic carotid artery plaques and the identification of risky plaque features predisposing for stroke.METHODS:
We performed a systematic review of the literature pertaining to MRA with VWI techniques in patients with carotid artery disease, focusing on symptomatic patients' plaque features and morphology. Independent reviewers screened and analyzed data extracted from eligible studies, and a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to appraise the quality of the design and content of the selected manuscripts to achieve an accurate interpretation.RESULTS:
This review included nineteen peer-reviewed manuscripts, all of them including MRA and VWI assessments of the symptomatic carotid artery plaque. We focused on patients' comorbidities and reviewed plaque features, including intraplaque hemorrhage, a lipid-rich necrotic core, a ruptured fibrous cap, and plaque ulceration.CONCLUSIONS:
MRA with VWI is a useful tool in the evaluation of carotid artery plaques. This imaging technique allows clinicians to identify plaques at risk of causing a neurovascular event. The presence of intraplaque hemorrhage, plaque ulceration, a ruptured fibrous cap, and a lipid-rich necrotic core are associated with neurovascular symptoms. The timely identification of these features could have a positive impact on neurovascular event prevention.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Carotid Stenosis
/
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann Vasc Surg
Journal subject:
ANGIOLOGIA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
HOLANDA
/
HOLLAND
/
NETHERLANDS
/
NL
/
PAISES BAJOS
/
THE NETHERLANDS