Predictors of carotid atherosclerotic plaque progression as measured by noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging.
The purpose of this in vivo MRI study was to quantify changes in atherosclerotic plaque morphology prospectively and to identify factors that may alter the rate of progression in plaque burden. Sixty-eight asymptomatic subjects with >or=50% stenosis, underwent serial carotid MRI examinations over an 18-month period. Clinical risk factors for atherosclerosis, and medications were documented prospectively. The wall and total vessel areas, matched across time-points, were measured from cross-sectional images. The normalized wall index (NWI=wall area/total vessel area), as a marker of disease severity, was documented at baseline and at 18 months. Multiple regression analysis was used to correlate risk factors and morphological features of the plaque with the rate of progression/regression. On average, the wall area increased by 2.2% per year (P=0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that statin therapy (P=0.01) and a normalized wall index >0.64 (P=0.001) were associated with a significantly reduced rate of progression in mean wall area. All other documented risk factors were not significantly associated with changes in wall area. Findings from this study suggest that increased normalized wall index and the use of statin therapy are associated with reduced rates of plaque progression amongst individuals with advanced, asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.
Saam
Tobias
T
Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Yuan
Chun
C
Chu
Baocheng
B
Takaya
Norihide
N
Underhill
Hunter
H
Cai
Jianming
J
Tran
Nam
N
Polissar
Nayak L
NL
Neradilek
Blazej
B
Jarvik
Gail P
GP
Isaac
Carol
C
Garden
Gwenn A
GA
Maravilla
Kenneth R
KR
Hashimoto
Beverly
B
Hatsukami
Thomas S
TS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors