Ultrasound and Biochemical Diagnostic Tools for the Characterization of Vulnerable Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque.
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and characterization of vulnerable carotid plaque remains the spearhead of scientific research. Plaque destabilization, the key factor that induces the series of events leading to the clinical symptoms of carotid artery disease, is a consequence of complex mechanical, structural and biochemical processes. Novel imaging and molecular markers have been studied as predictors of disease outcome with promising results. The aim of this review is to present the current state of research on the association between ultrasound-derived echogenicity indices and blood parameters indicative of carotid plaque stability and activity. Bibliographic research revealed that there are limited available data. Among the biomarkers studied, those related to oxidative stress, lipoproteins and diabetes/insulin resistance are associated with echolucent plaques, whereas adipokines are associated with echogenic plaques. Biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation have not exhibited any conclusive relationship with plaque echogenicity, and it is not possible to come to any conclusion regarding calcification-, apoptosis- and neo-angiogenesis-related parameters because of the extremely limited bibliographic data.
Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgery Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Simeon
S
Lechareas
Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgery Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ayanni@hua.gr.
Amalia E
AE
Yanni
Intensive Care Unit, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Spyretta
S
Golemati
Department of Interventional Radiology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Achilles
A
Chatziioannou
Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgery Research, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Despoina
D
Perrea
D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
Atherosclerosis biomarkers; Carotid plaque; Echogenicity; Echolucency; Gray-scale median