CT imaging detects markers of vulnerable carotid plaque

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. CT imaging detects markers of vulnerable carotid plaque Advances in angiography using multislice systems take assessments beyond calcium readings and luminal narrowing to artery wall itself BY RAJIV MAGGE, SANDEEP ARORA, MBBS, BRUNO P. SOARES, M.D., BENISON C. LAU, ELIZABETH TONG, AND MAX WINTERMARK, M.D -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the principal medical cause of long-term disability, with 780,000 new or recurrent strokes occurring annually.1 Ischemic strokes related to carotid atherosclerotic disease make up almost 30% of the total. Luminal narrowing is the standard parameter used to report the extent and severity of carotid artery stenosis due to atherosclerosis. The widespread use of this measure is based primarily on the results of several randomized clinical trials that showed a reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with luminal stenosis of ≥50% (assessed on conventional angiograms) after carotid endarterectomy compared with medical treatment alone.2-4

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