Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaque inflammation in acute coronary syndromes: A sign of multisite plaque activation
2008; Elsevier BV; Volume: 136; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.03.077
ISSN1874-1754
AutoresAntonella Lombardo, Vittoria Rizzello, Luigi Natale, Mariaelena Lombardi, Stefano Coli, Francesco Snider, Lorenzo Bonomo, Filippo Crea,
Tópico(s)Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
ResumoWidespread 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.
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