title: Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaque inflammation in acute coronary syndromes: a sign of multisite plaque activation.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rizzello
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: Mariaelena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Snider
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonomo
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crea
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002097:C-Reactive Protein