Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaque inflammation in acute coronary syndromes: a sign of multisite plaque activation.
Widespread plaque inflammation has been demonstrated in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We evaluated signs of plaque inflammation in carotid arteries of patients with ACS by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Carotid MRI was performed in 13 patients with ACS and in 9 controls having at least 1 carotid plaque with a stenosis > or =40%. MRI criteria of plaque inflammation were: increased T2 signal >50% of the plaque areas (tissue oedema) and/or enhancement after gadolinium injection (neo-vascularization). MRI signs of inflammation were found in 95% and in 33% of patients with ACS and controls, respectively (p<0.001). Carotid artery MRI may serve as a window to the entire cardiovascular system, to identify "vulnerable" patients.
Lombardo
Antonella
A
Rizzello
Vittoria
V
Natale
Luigi
L
Lombardi
Mariaelena
M
Coli
Stefano
S
Snider
Francesco
F
Bonomo
Lorenzo
L
Crea
Filippo
F
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000502:physiology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002097:C-Reactive Protein