title: Relationship between Framingham risk score and subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid plaques: an in vivo study using multi-contrast MRI.
abstract: The assessment and management of early-stage atherosclerosis are important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we used multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the carotid plaque feature in asymptomatic, at-risk subjects; we also evaluated the correlation between MRI findings and Framingham risk score (FRS). One hundred sixty-six asymptomatic individuals with risk factors for CVD underwent multi-contrast MRI. After the arterial morphology and plaque components were outlined, the differences in carotid plaque burden among the various risk categories were analyzed. The FRS analysis showed that high-risk individuals had thicker vessel wall and higher plaque lipid content than did low risk participants. A substantial proportion of advanced carotid plaques occurred in low and intermediate-risk groups. Multi-contrast MRI may provide incremental value to the FRS in managing asymptomatic at-risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China.
authors.forename: Feiyu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China. cjr.wangxiaoying@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Framingham risk score; atherosclerosis; carotid artery; magnetic resonance imaging