Tracking regression and progression of atherosclerosis in human carotid arteries using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately and reproducibly measure the volume of atherosclerotic plaque in human carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques may either progress or regress over time, depending on individual risk factors and treatment regimens. This study was designed to determine if regression or progression of human carotid atherosclerosis in patients receiving statin therapy over 24 months can be detected by high-resolution MRI.


METHODS
In 11 subjects who had undergone unilateral carotid endarterectomy and were on statin therapy, volumes for total carotid artery, concentric wall (normal wall), eccentric wall (plaque), and lumen were quantified at 0, 16 and 24 months using a 1.5-T human imager equipped with 6-cm phased array coils.


RESULTS
The interobserver mean coefficient of variation (CV) was lowest for the lumen volume (3.1%) and highest for the plaque volume (9.8%). The interscan mean CV was lowest for the total artery volume (3.2%) and highest for the plaque volume (9.9%). As much as 26% regression and 35% progression were observed in individual subject's carotid artery eccentric wall (plaque) volumes over time. Mean eccentric wall volume increased 5% by 16 months and 8% by 24 months. Mean total wall volume increased slightly at both 16 and 24 months (+1.2% and +1.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution MRI provides a noninvasive reproducible method of tracking changes in carotid atherosclerosis. This pilot study detected changes in individual subjects at both 16 and 24 months. MRI tracking of changes in atherosclerotic plaques should prove useful in assessing vascular disease risk and monitoring the efficacy of interventions designed to induce regression or retard progression.
Adams
Gareth J
GJ
Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Greene
Jennifer
J
Vick
G Wesley
GW
Harrist
Ronald
R
Kimball
Kay T
KT
Karmonik
Christof
C
Ballantyne
Christie M
CM
Insull
William
W
Morrisett
Joel D
JD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin