Evolution of CT Imaging Features of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques in a 1‐Year Prospective Cohort Study. Issue 1 (17th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adraktas, Dionesia D.; Tong, Elizabeth; Furtado, Andre D.; Cheng, Su‐Chun; Wintermark, Max
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroimaging. Volume 24:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2012-09-17
• Subjects: Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; Système nerveux -- Maladies -- Diagnostic -- Périodiques; Imagerie médicale; Neuroimagerie; Neurologie; Système nerveux; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.804754
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2012.00705.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1051-2284

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="jon705-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>PURPOSE</title> <p>The purpose of this study was to identify imaging markers and clinical risk factors that significantly predict the evolution of computed tomography (CT) imaging features of carotid artery atherosclerotic disease over a 1‐year period.</p> </sec> <sec id="jon705-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>Our prospective study involved 120 consecutive patients undergoing emergent CT evaluation for symptoms of acute stroke. These patients were asked to consent to a follow‐up CT exam in 1 year. To evaluate for atherosclerotic plaque, both at baseline and on follow‐up, we employed a comprehensive computed tomography angiography (CTA) protocol that captured the carotid, vertebral, aortic, and coronary arteries. To further evaluate carotid artery plaque components, we used an automated classifier computer algorithm that distinguishes among the histological components of the carotid artery wall (lipids, calcium, fibrous tissue) based on appropriate thresholds of CT density. Baseline values of carotid imaging features and clinical variables were assessed for their ability to significantly predict changes in these imaging features over 1 year.</p> </sec> <sec id="jon705-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>Of these 120 consecutive patients, 17 received both a baseline and a follow‐up CTA exam. Wall volume increased more when the largest lipid cluster was located close to the lumen (coefficient −7.61, −13.83 to −1.40, <italic>P</italic> = .016). The volume of lipid increased with age (coefficient .36, .21 to .50, <italic>P</italic> = .000), in smokers (coefficient 8.89, 6.82 to 10.95, <italic>P</italic> = .000) and when fewer lipid clusters were present at baseline (coefficient −0.11, −0.17 to −.04, <italic>P</italic> = .001). The volume of calcium increased with greater volume of lipid at baseline (coefficient .35, .02 to .68, <italic>P</italic> = .035) and in patients on statins (coefficient 4.79, 1.73 to 7.86, <italic>P</italic> = .002).</p> </sec> <sec id="jon705-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>There are a number of imaging markers and risk factors that significantly predict the evolution of CT imaging features of carotid artery atherosclerotic disease over a 1‐year period.</p> </sec> </abstract>