title: The Use of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography for Imaging of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques: Current Evidence, Future Directions.
abstract: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a rapidly evolving modality for imaging carotid artery disease and systemic atherosclerosis. CEUS coupled with diagnostic ultrasonography predicts the degree of carotid artery stenosis and is comparable with computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography. This article reviews the literature on the evolving role of CEUS for the identification and characterization of carotid plaques with an emphasis on detection of intra-plaque neovascularization and related high-risk morphologic features notably present in symptomatic patients. CEUS carotid imaging may play a prominent additive role in risk stratifying patients and serve as a powerful tool for monitoring therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: sandeep_a_saha@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Sandeep A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gourineni
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Feinstein
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Carotid endarterectomy; Contrast enhancement; Echo-contrast agents; Microbubbles; Plaque neoangiogenesis; Plaque neovascularization; Safety