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Wu J, Xin J, Yang X, Matkovic LA, Zhao X, Zheng N, Li R. Segmentation of carotid artery vessel wall and diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis on black blood magnetic resonance imaging with multi-task learning. Med Phys 2024; 51:1775-1797. [PMID: 37681965 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Early detection of carotid atherosclerosis can prevent the progression of cardiovascular disease. Many (semi-) automatic methods have been designed for the segmentation of carotid vessel wall and the diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis (i.e., the lumen segmentation, the outer wall segmentation, and the carotid atherosclerosis diagnosis) on black blood magnetic resonance imaging (BB-MRI). However, most of these methods ignore the intrinsic correlation among different tasks on BB-MRI, leading to limited performance. PURPOSE Thus, we model the intrinsic correlation among the lumen segmentation, the outer wall segmentation, and the carotid atherosclerosis diagnosis tasks on BB-MRI by using the multi-task learning technique and propose a gated multi-task network (GMT-Net) to perform three related tasks in a neural network (i.e., carotid artery lumen segmentation, outer wall segmentation, and carotid atherosclerosis diagnosis). METHODS In the proposed method, the GMT-Net is composed of three modules, including the sharing module, the segmentation module, and the diagnosis module, which interact with each other to achieve better learning performance. At the same time, two new adaptive layers, namely, the gated exchange layer and the gated fusion layer, are presented to exchange and merge branch features. RESULTS The proposed method is applied to the CAREII dataset (i.e., 1057 scans) for the lumen segmentation, the outer wall segmentation, and the carotid atherosclerosis diagnosis. The proposed method can achieve promising segmentation performances (0.9677 Dice for the lumen and 0.9669 Dice for the outer wall) and better diagnosis accuracy of carotid atherosclerosis (0.9516 AUC and 0.9024 Accuracy) in the "CAREII test" dataset (i.e., 106 scans). The results show that the proposed method has statistically significant accuracy and efficiency. CONCLUSIONS Even without the intervention of reviewers required for the previous works, the proposed method automatically segments the lumen and outer wall together and diagnoses carotid atherosclerosis with high performance. The proposed method can be used in clinical trials to help radiologists get rid of tedious reading tasks, such as screening review to separate normal carotid arteries from atherosclerotic arteries and to outline vessel wall contours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Wu
- National Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Hybrid Augmented Intelligence, National Engineering Research Center for Visual Information and Applications, and Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - Jingmin Xin
- National Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Hybrid Augmented Intelligence, National Engineering Research Center for Visual Information and Applications, and Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Luke A Matkovic
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Nanning Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Hybrid Augmented Intelligence, National Engineering Research Center for Visual Information and Applications, and Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University
| | - Rui Li
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Wu F, Zhang M, Qi Z, Ma Q, Yu Z, Lu J. Imaging features of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia combined with posterior circulation ischemic stroke: A vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging study. Eur J Radiol 2023; 166:110971. [PMID: 37506476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.110971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To elucidate the vessel wall changes of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) with ischemic stroke, using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI). METHOD Thirty-four patients with VBD (22 with stroke and 12 without stroke) who underwent VW-MRI were recruited. Forty-one patients without VBD who underwent VW-MRI were also recruited if they had a recent stroke due to atherosclerosis in the basilar artery or the intracranial vertebral artery. The vessel wall features of VBD were compared between stroke and non-stroke groups. The plaque characteristics were compared between VBD and non-VBD stroke patients. RESULTS The frequency of plaques was higher (54.5% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.011) in VBD patients with stroke than that in non-stroke patients, while the frequencies of aneurysm, dissection, intraluminal thrombus, and diffuse/concentric wall enhancement did not differ. When the plaque features were compared between plaque-positive stroke patients with and without VBD, the degree of stenosis (31.0% ± 26.8% vs. 71.5% ± 19.0%, P < 0.001), normalized wall index (NWI) (0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1, P < 0.001), and remodeling index (RI) (1.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.3 ± 0.4, P = 0.023) were lower in the VBD group, while intraplaque hemorrhage, and enhancement ratio showed no difference. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study suggests that atherosclerosis may be an important cause of stroke in VBD patients. Symptomatic plaques in VBD patients have a lower degree of stenosis, NWI, and RI than that in non-VBD patients. VW-MRI may help to assess stroke mechanisms and identify VBD patients at high risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wu
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Qi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, China
| | - Qingfeng Ma
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhipeng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, Beijing, China.
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Kassem M, Nies KPH, Boswijk E, van der Pol J, Aizaz M, Gijbels MJJ, Li D, Bucerius J, Mess WH, Wildberger JE, van Oostenbrugge RJ, Moonen RPM, Fan Z, Kooi ME. Quantification of carotid plaque composition with a multi-contrast atherosclerosis characterization (MATCH) MRI sequence. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1227495. [PMID: 37680565 PMCID: PMC10481960 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1227495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Carotid atherosclerotic plaques with a large lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and a thin or ruptured fibrous cap are associated with increased stroke risk. Multi-sequence MRI can be used to quantify carotid atherosclerotic plaque composition. Yet, its clinical implementation is hampered by long scan times and image misregistration. Multi-contrast atherosclerosis characterization (MATCH) overcomes these limitations. This study aims to compare the quantification of plaque composition with MATCH and multi-sequence MRI. Methods MATCH and multi-sequence MRI were used to image 54 carotid arteries of 27 symptomatic patients with ≥2 mm carotid plaque on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. The following sequence parameters for MATCH were used: repetition time/echo time (TR/TE), 10.1/4.35 ms; field of view, 160 mm × 160 mm × 2 mm; matrix size, 256 × 256; acquired in-plane resolution, 0.63 mm2× 0.63 mm2; number of slices, 18; and flip angles, 8°, 5°, and 10°. Multi-sequence MRI (black-blood pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted, time of flight, and magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo; acquired in-plane resolution: 0.63 mm2 × 0.63 mm2) was acquired according to consensus recommendations, and image quality was scored (5-point scale). The interobserver agreement in plaque composition quantification was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The sensitivity and specificity of MATCH in identifying plaque composition were calculated using multi-sequence MRI as a reference standard. Results A significantly lower image quality of MATCH compared to that of multi-sequence MRI was observed (p < 0.05). The scan time for MATCH was shorter (7 vs. 40 min). Interobserver agreement in quantifying plaque composition on MATCH images was good to excellent (ICC ≥ 0.77) except for the total volume of calcifications and fibrous tissue that showed moderate agreement (ICC ≥ 0.61). The sensitivity and specificity of detecting plaque components on MATCH were ≥89% and ≥91% for IPH, ≥81% and 85% for LRNC, and ≥71% and ≥32% for calcifications, respectively. Overall, good-to-excellent agreement (ICC ≥ 0.76) of quantifying plaque components on MATCH with multi-sequence MRI as the reference standard was observed except for calcifications (ICC = 0.37-0.38) and fibrous tissue (ICC = 0.59-0.70). Discussion and conclusion MATCH images can be used to quantify plaque components such as LRNC and IPH but not for calcifications. Although MATCH images showed a lower mean image quality score, short scan time and inherent co-registration are significant advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kassem
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Kelly P. H. Nies
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ellen Boswijk
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jochem van der Pol
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mueez Aizaz
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marion J. J. Gijbels
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Debiao Li
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jan Bucerius
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Georg-August University Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Werner H. Mess
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Joachim E. Wildberger
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Robert J. van Oostenbrugge
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Rik P. M. Moonen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Zhaoyang Fan
- Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - M. Eline Kooi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Peret A, Romero-Sanchez G, Dabiri M, McNally JS, Johnson KM, Mossa-Basha M, Eisenmenger LB. MR Angiography of Extracranial Carotid Disease. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2023; 31:395-411. [PMID: 37414468 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance angiography sequences, such as time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced angiography, provide clear depiction of vessel lumen, traditionally used to evaluate carotid pathologic conditions such as stenosis, dissection, and occlusion; however, atherosclerotic plaques with a similar degree of stenosis may vary tremendously from a histopathological standpoint. MR vessel wall imaging is a promising noninvasive method to evaluate the content of the vessel wall at high spatial resolution. This is particularly interesting in the case of atherosclerosis as vessel wall imaging can identify higher risk, vulnerable plaques as well as has potential applications in the evaluation of other carotid pathologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Peret
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Griselda Romero-Sanchez
- Department of Radiology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No.15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan C.P.14080, Ciudad de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mona Dabiri
- Radiology Department, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, No 63, Gharib Avenue, Keshavarz Blv, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - Joseph Scott McNally
- Department of Radiology, University of Utah, 50 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Kevin M Johnson
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Mahmud Mossa-Basha
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Laura B Eisenmenger
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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Li X, Liu C, Zhu L, Wang M, Liu Y, Li S, Deng Q, Zhou J. The Role of High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Cerebrovascular Disease: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13040677. [PMID: 37190642 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) is the most important and popular vessel wall imaging technique for the direct assessment of vessel wall and cerebral arterial disease. It can identify the cause of stroke in high-risk plaques and differentiate the diagnosis of head and carotid artery dissection, including inflammation, Moya Moya disease, cerebral aneurysm, vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, blunt cerebrovascular injury, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, and other stenosis or occlusion conditions. Through noninvasive visualization of the vessel wall in vitro, quantified assessment of luminal stenosis and pathological features of the vessel wall can provide clinicians with further disease information. In this report, technical considerations of HRMRI are discussed, and current clinical applications of HRMRI are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Li
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Chengfang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Yukai Liu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Shuo Li
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Qiwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Junshan Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
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Guo X, Maehara A, Yang M, Wang L, Zheng J, Samady H, Mintz GS, Giddens DP, Tang D. Predicting Coronary Stenosis Progression Using Plaque Fatigue From IVUS-Based Thin-Slice Models: A Machine Learning Random Forest Approach. Front Physiol 2022; 13:912447. [PMID: 35620594 PMCID: PMC9127388 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.912447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Coronary stenosis due to atherosclerosis restricts blood flow. Stenosis progression would lead to increased clinical risk such as heart attack. Although many risk factors were found to contribute to atherosclerosis progression, factors associated with fatigue is underemphasized. Our goal is to investigate the relationship between fatigue and stenosis progression based on in vivo intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images and finite element models. Methods: Baseline and follow-up in vivo IVUS and angiography data were acquired from seven patients using Institutional Review Board approved protocols with informed consent obtained. Three hundred and five paired slices at baseline and follow-up were matched and used for plaque modeling and analysis. IVUS-based thin-slice models were constructed to obtain the coronary biomechanics and stress/strain amplitudes (stress/strain variations in one cardiac cycle) were used as the measurement of fatigue. The change of lumen area (DLA) from baseline to follow-up were calculated to measure stenosis progression. Nineteen morphological and biomechanical factors were extracted from 305 slices at baseline. Correlation analyses of these factors with DLA were performed. Random forest (RF) method was used to fit morphological and biomechanical factors at baseline to predict stenosis progression during follow-up. Results: Significant correlations were found between stenosis progression and maximum stress amplitude, average stress amplitude and average strain amplitude (p < 0.05). After factors selection implemented by random forest (RF) method, eight morphological and biomechanical factors were selected for classification prediction of stenosis progression. Using eight factors including fatigue, the overall classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of stenosis progression prediction with RF method were 83.61%, 86.25% and 80.69%, respectively. Conclusion: Fatigue correlated positively with stenosis progression. Factors associated with fatigue could contribute to better prediction for atherosclerosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Guo
- School of Science, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China
| | - Akiko Maehara
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mingming Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Habib Samady
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gary S Mintz
- The Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Don P Giddens
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dalin Tang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Mathematical Sciences Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States
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Urbak L, Sandholt B, Græbe M, Bang LE, Bundgaard H, Sillesen H. Echolucent carotid plaques becomes more echogenic over time - a 3D ultrasound study. Ann Vasc Surg 2022; 84:137-147. [PMID: 35257924 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2022.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to detect changes in carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque volume and echogenicity over time in patients with an acute thromboembolic event and in patients with chronic atherosclerotic disease, both treated with statin, using a novel 3D ultrasound system. METHODS We included two cohorts of patients; 70 patients, naïve to statin treatment, admitted with acute, first-time myocardial infarction (aMI) and 69 patients who had been on statin treatment for a minimum of 6-months with chronic peripheral arterial disease (cPAD). 3D ultrasound examination was performed at baseline and after 3- and 12-months. Plaque volume was quantified in 3D ultrasound plaque acquisitions and echogenicity was assessed using gray-scale median (GSM) and normalized with adventitia as reference. RESULTS The aMI group had darker plaques than the cPAD group at baseline (mean GSM: 60.98, standard deviation (SD): 24.09 vs 71.75, SD: 21.55; P=0.006), 3-months (63.64, SD: 20.47 vs 73.44, SD: 20.46; P=0.006) and at 12-months follow-up (59.25, SD: 18.07 vs 71.02, SD: 22.31; P=0.004). The differences were not significant after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Dividing both groups by the median GSM, the darkest half of the aMI group's had an increase in GSM mainly within the first 3-months (10.49, CI95%: 2.45 - 18.53; P=0.012) and hereafter remained unchanged at 12-months follow-up (-0.53, CI95%: -7.28 - 6.22, P=0.875). In the darkest cPAD group GSM also increased within 3-months (8.14, CI95%: 1.85 - 14.32, P=0.012) and hereafter stabilised till 12-months (-2.54, CI95%: -9.62 - 4.53, P=0.475). Plaque volume did not change in the aMI group from baseline (median: 55.41mm3, interquartile range (IQR): 24.24 - 84.31) to 12-months (58.67mm3, IQR: 31.81 - 93.51) (P=0.220) whereas there was a small decrease in the cPAD group from baseline (71.63mm3, IQR: 40.12 - 135.61) to 12-months (67.73mm3, IQR: 31.00 - 122.38) (P=0.026). CONCLUSION Assessed with the novel 3D matrix ultrasound system echolucent carotid plaque had increasing GSM within a 3-months period, indicating stabilization of the more vulnerable plaques in aMI and cPAD patients. Plaque volume decreased over 12-months follow-up in long-term statin treated patient with cPAD, but not during the first 12 months statin therapy in patients with aMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lærke Urbak
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Benjamin Sandholt
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Græbe
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lia E Bang
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henning Bundgaard
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Sillesen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zhou P, Wang Y, Sun J, Yu Y, Mossa-Basha M, Zhu C. Assessment of Therapeutic Response to Statin Therapy in Patients With Intracranial or Extracranial Carotid Atherosclerosis by Vessel Wall MRI: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:742935. [PMID: 34778404 PMCID: PMC8578267 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.742935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Statin therapy is an essential component of cardiovascular preventive care. In recent years, various vessel wall MRI (VW-MRI) techniques have been used to monitor atherosclerosis progression or regression in patients with extracranial or intracranial large-artery atherosclerosis. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of statin therapy on plaque evolution as assessed by VW-MRI. Materials and Methods: Prospective studies investigating carotid and intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in patients on statin therapy monitored by serial VW-MRI were systematically identified in the literature. The plaque burden and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) volume of carotid plaque and the imaging features of intracranial plaques were extracted and summarized. For studies investigating carotid artery wall volume and LRNC volume, combined estimates were derived by meta-analysis. Results: The study identified 21 studies of carotid plaque and two studies of intracranial plaque. While 16 studies investigating carotid plaques that included 780 patients by High-resolution VW-MRI were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant change in carotid wall volume from baseline to 12 months. A significant change in LRNC volume was observed at > 12 months compared with baseline (Effect = −10.69, 95% CI = −19.11, −2.28, P < 0.01), while no significant change in LRNC volume at 3–6 months or 7–12 months after statin therapy initiation in 6 studies. Increases in fibrous tissue and calcium and reduction in neovascularization density of the plaque were seen in 2/3 studies (including 48/59 patients), 1/3 studies (including 17/54 patients), and 2/2 studies (including 71 patients) after statin therapy, respectively. Two studies with 257 patients in intracranial atherosclerosis showed that statins could effectively decrease wall volume and plaque enhancement volume. Conclusions: Collective data indicated that statins could potentially stabilize carotid plaques by significantly reducing LRNC with 1 year of therapy as shown on serial carotid VW-MRI. There was no significant decrease in wall volume, which nonetheless indicated that plaque composition changes might be more sensitive to response monitoring than wall volume. It is likely that more sensitive, clinically relevant, and preferably quantitative indicators of therapeutic effects on intracranial vessel plaque morphology will be developed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Radiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Yannan Yu
- Internal Medicine Department, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Mahmud Mossa-Basha
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Chengcheng Zhu
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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CT angiographic biomarkers help identify vulnerable carotid artery plaque. J Vasc Surg 2021; 75:1311-1322.e3. [PMID: 34793923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current risk assessment for patients with carotid atherosclerosis relies primarily on measuring the degree of stenosis. More reliable risk-stratification could improve patient selection for targeted treatment. We developed and validated a model to predict major adverse neurological events (MANE; stroke, transient ischemic attack, and amaurosis fugax) incorporating a combination of plaque morphology, patient demographics, and patient clinical information. METHODS We enrolled 221 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis of any severity who had CT angiography at baseline and at least 6 months later. Images were analyzed for carotid plaque morphology (plaque geometry and tissue composition). Data were partitioned (training and validation cohorts). 190 patients had complete records and were advanced to analysis. The training cohort was used to develop the best model for predicting MANE, incorporating patient and plaque features. First, single-variable correlation and unsupervised clustering were performed. Next, several multi-variable models were implemented for the response variable of MANE. The best model was selected by optimizing area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC, ROC) and Kappa. The model was validated on the sequestered data to demonstrate generalizability. RESULTS Sixty-two patients suffered a MANE on follow-up. Unsupervised clustering of patient and plaque features identified single-variable predictors of MANE. Multi-variable predictive modeling showed that a combination of plaque features at baseline (matrix, intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH), wall thickness, plaque burden) with clinical features (age, BMI, lipid levels) best predicted MANE (AUC 0.79), while percent diameter stenosis performed worst (AUC 0.55). The strongest single variable in discriminating between patients with and without events was IPH, and the most predictive model was produced when IPH was considered together with wall remodeling. The selected model also performed well on the validation dataset (AUC of 0.64) and maintained superiority over percent diameter stenosis (AUC of 0.49). CONCLUSIONS A composite of plaque geometry, plaque tissue composition, patient demographics, and clinical information predicts MANE better than the traditionally utilized degree of stenosis alone in carotid atherosclerosis. Implementing this predictive model in the clinical setting can help identify patients at high-risk for major adverse neurological events.
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The impact of atherosclerotic risk factors on disease progression in patients with previously diagnosed nonobstructive coronary artery disease: factors affecting coronary artery disease progression. Coron Artery Dis 2021; 31:365-371. [PMID: 31860556 DOI: 10.1097/mca.0000000000000839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Since coronary artery disease (CAD) is a slow progressive disease, management and appropriate follow-up of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) remains challenging, and there are no clear guidelines recommending a follow-up strategy and indications for repeat invasive coronary angiography (ICA). We investigated the predictors of the development of obstructive CAD in patients with previously diagnosed NOCAD. METHODS We prospectively included 186 patients who previously received a diagnosis of NOCAD with invasive coronary angiogram and underwent repeat ICA. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, biochemical analyses were recorded. Obstructive CAD is defined as >50% luminal narrowing in any epicardial coronary artery with a diameter of >2 mm. RESULTS A total of 186 patients (105 male) were assigned into our study. Mean age was 64.77 ± 10.31 in patients with obstructive CAD (n = 60) vs. 61.87 ± 9.94 in NOCAD patients (n = 126) (P value: 0.068). The median time interval between index and follow-up coronary angiograms was 8 (5-10) years. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to LDL and Hs-CRP levels (P value: 461 and 354, respectively). Although patients with obstructive CAD have more comorbidities, multivariate analyses revealed that there was no significant difference between groups. On the contrary, the total number of risk factors were significantly associated with the development of obstructive CAD during follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed with a cut-off value of 3.5 risk factors, the sensitivity of 71%, the specificity of 61% and the area under the curve was 0.71 for prediction of obstructive CAD. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that no single risk factor alone is related with development of obstructive CAD; however, patients with high number of multiple risk factors are more prone to develop obstructive disease and require closer follow-up.
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11
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Biswas M, Saba L, Omerzu T, Johri AM, Khanna NN, Viskovic K, Mavrogeni S, Laird JR, Pareek G, Miner M, Balestrieri A, Sfikakis PP, Protogerou A, Misra DP, Agarwal V, Kitas GD, Kolluri R, Sharma A, Viswanathan V, Ruzsa Z, Nicolaides A, Suri JS. A Review on Joint Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque Area Measurement in Ultrasound for Cardiovascular/Stroke Risk Monitoring: Artificial Intelligence Framework. J Digit Imaging 2021; 34:581-604. [PMID: 34080104 PMCID: PMC8329154 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-021-00461-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top ten leading causes of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis disease in the arteries is the main cause of the CVD, leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. The two primary image-based phenotypes used for monitoring the atherosclerosis burden is carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaque area (PA). Earlier segmentation and measurement methods were based on ad hoc conventional and semi-automated digital imaging solutions, which are unreliable, tedious, slow, and not robust. This study reviews the modern and automated methods such as artificial intelligence (AI)-based. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) can provide automated techniques in the detection and measurement of cIMT and PA from carotid vascular images. Both ML and DL techniques are examples of supervised learning, i.e., learn from "ground truth" images and transformation of test images that are not part of the training. This review summarizes (1) the evolution and impact of the fast-changing AI technology on cIMT/PA measurement, (2) the mathematical representations of ML/DL methods, and (3) segmentation approaches for cIMT/PA regions in carotid scans based for (a) region-of-interest detection and (b) lumen-intima and media-adventitia interface detection using ML/DL frameworks. AI-based methods for cIMT/PA segmentation have emerged for CVD/stroke risk monitoring and may expand to the recommended parameters for atherosclerosis assessment by carotid ultrasound.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Tomaž Omerzu
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Amer M Johri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Narendra N Khanna
- Department of Cardiology, Indraprastha APOLLO Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sophie Mavrogeni
- Cardiology Clinic, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
| | - John R Laird
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Adventist Health St. Helena, St Helena, CA, USA
| | - Gyan Pareek
- Minimally Invasive Urology Institute, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Martin Miner
- Men's Health Center, Miriam Hospital Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Antonella Balestrieri
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- Rheumatology Unit, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Vikas Agarwal
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, UP, India
| | - George D Kitas
- Academic Affairs, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK
- Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Aditya Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Vijay Viswanathan
- MV Hospital for Diabetes and Professor M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai, India
| | - Zoltan Ruzsa
- Invasive Cardiology Division, University of Szeged, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrew Nicolaides
- Vascular Screening and Diagnostic Centre, University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jasjit S Suri
- Stroke Monitoring and Diagnostic Division, AtheroPoint™, Roseville, CA, 95661, USA.
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12
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Abstract
Carotid atherosclerosis is an important contributor to ischemic stroke. When imaging carotid atherosclerosis, it is essential to describe both the degree of luminal stenosis and specific plaque characteristics because both are risk factors for cerebrovascular ischemia. Carotid atherosclerosis can be accurately assessed using multiple imaging techniques, including ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography. By understanding the underlying histopathology, the specific plaque characteristics on each of these imaging modalities can be appreciated. This article briefly describes some of the most commonly encountered plaque features, including plaque calcification, intraplaque hemorrhage, lipid-rich necrotic core, and plaque ulceration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hediyeh Baradaran
- Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Ajay Gupta
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, Box 141, New York, NY 10021, USA; Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Atherosclerosis inflammation and burden in young adult smokers and vapers measured by PET/MR. Atherosclerosis 2021; 325:110-116. [PMID: 33896592 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Electronic cigarette (EC) use is popular among youth, touted as a safer alternative to smoking and promoted as a tool to aid in smoking cessation. EC cardiovascular safety however is not well established. The aim of this study was to examine cardiovascular consequences of EC use by evaluating their effect on the entire atherosclerotic cascade in young adults using noninvasive combined positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and comparing EC use with age matched smokers of traditional cigarettes and nonsmoking controls. METHODS Carotid PET/MR was applied to look at vascular inflammation (18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET) and plaque burden (multi-contrast MR of vessel wall) from 60 18-30 year-old subjects (20 electronic cigarette users, 20 traditional smokers and 20 nonsmokers). RESULTS Groups were reasonably well balanced in terms of age, gender, demographics, cardiovascular risk and most biomarkers. There were no differences in vascular inflammation as measured by 18-FDG-PET target to background ratios (TBR) between EC users, traditional cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. However, measures of carotid plaque burden - wall area, normalized wall index, and wall thickness - measured from MR were significantly higher in both traditional smokers and EC users than in nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS Young adult EC users, smokers and nonsmokers in our study did not exhibit vascular inflammation as defined by 18-F-FDG-PET TBR max, but smokers and EC users had significantly more carotid plaque burden compared to matched nonsmokers. Results could indicate that vaping does not cause an increase in vascular inflammation as measured by FDG-PET.
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14
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Yuan C, Miller Z, Zhao XQ. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Cardiovascular Applications for Clinical Trials. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00059-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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15
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Kassem M, Florea A, Mottaghy FM, van Oostenbrugge R, Kooi ME. Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid plaques: current status and clinical perspectives. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1266. [PMID: 33178798 PMCID: PMC7607136 DOI: 10.21037/atm-2020-cass-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rupture of a vulnerable carotid plaque is one of the leading causes of stroke. Carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is able to visualize all the main hallmarks of plaque vulnerability. Various MRI sequences have been developed in the last two decades to quantify carotid plaque burden and composition. Often, a combination of multiple sequences is used. These MRI techniques have been extensively validated with histological analysis of carotid endarterectomy specimens. High agreement between the MRI and histological measures of plaque burden, intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), fibrous cap (FC) status, inflammation and neovascularization has been demonstrated. Novel MRI sequences allow to generate three-dimensional isotropic images with a large longitudinal coverage. Other new sequences can acquire multiple contrasts using a single sequence leading to a tremendous reduction in scan time. IPH can be easily identified as a hyperintense signal in the bulk of the plaque on strongly T1-weighted images, such as magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo images, acquired within a few minutes with a standard neurovascular coil. Carotid MRI can also be used to evaluate treatment effects. Several meta-analyses have demonstrated a strong predictive value of IPH, LRNC, thinning or rupture of the FC for ischemic cerebrovascular events. Recently, in a large meta-analysis based on individual patient data of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals with carotid artery stenosis, it was shown that IPH on MRI is an independent risk predictor for stroke, stronger than any known clinical risk parameter. Expert recommendations on carotid plaque MRI protocols have recently been described in a white paper. The present review provides an overview of the current status and applications of carotid plaque MR imaging and its future potential in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Kassem
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandru Florea
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix M Mottaghy
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert van Oostenbrugge
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, MUMC+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M Eline Kooi
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands
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16
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Baradaran H, Gupta A. Carotid Vessel Wall Imaging on CTA. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2020; 41:380-386. [PMID: 32029468 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vessel wall imaging has been increasingly used to characterize plaque beyond luminal narrowing to identify patients who may be at the highest risk of cerebrovascular ischemia. Although detailed plaque information can be obtained from many imaging modalities, CTA is particularly appealing for carotid plaque imaging due to its relatively low cost, wide availability, operator independence, and ability to discern high-risk features. The present Review Article describes the current understanding of plaque characteristics on CTA by describing commonly encountered plaque features, including calcified and soft plaque, surface irregularities, neovascularization, and inflammation. The goal of this Review Article was to provide a more robust understanding of clinically relevant plaque features detectable on routine CTA of the carotid arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Baradaran
- From the Department of Radiology (H.B.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - A Gupta
- Department of Radiology (A.G.), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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17
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Wu J, Xin J, Yang X, Sun J, Xu D, Zheng N, Yuan C. Deep morphology aided diagnosis network for segmentation of carotid artery vessel wall and diagnosis of carotid atherosclerosis on black-blood vessel wall MRI. Med Phys 2019; 46:5544-5561. [PMID: 31356693 DOI: 10.1002/mp.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Early detection of carotid atherosclerosis on the vessel wall (VW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (VW-MRI) images can prevent the progression of cardiovascular disease. However, the manual inspection process of the VW-MRI images is cumbersome and has low reproducibility. Therefore in this paper, by using the convolutional neural networks (CNNs), we develop a deep morphology aided diagnosis (DeepMAD) network for automated segmentation of the VW of carotid artery and for automated diagnosis of the carotid atherosclerosis with the black-blood (BB) VW-MRI (i.e., the T1-weighted MRI) in a slice-by-slice manner. METHODS The proposed DeepMAD network consists of a segmentation subnetwork and a diagnosis subnetwork for performing the segmentation and diagnosis tasks on the BB-VW-MRI images, where the manual labeled lumen area, the manual labeled outer wall area and the manual labeled lesion Types based on the modified American Heart Association (AHA) criteria are used as the ground-truth. Specifically, a deep U-shape CNN with a weighted fusion layer is designed as the segmentation subnetwork, where the lumen area and the outer wall area can be simultaneously segmented under the supervision of the triple Dice loss to provide the vessel wall map as morphological information. Then, the image stream from the BB-VWMRI image and the morphology stream from the obtained vessel wall map are extracted from two deep CNNs and combined to obtain the diagnosis results of atherosclerosis in the diagnosis subnetwork. In addition, the triple input set is formed by three carotid regions of interest (ROIs) from three consecutive slices of the MRI sequence and input to the DeepMAD network, where the first and last slices used as additional adjacent slices to provide 2.5D spatial information along the carotid artery centerline for the intermediate slice, which is the target slice for segmentation and diagnosis in the study. RESULTS Compared to other existing methods, the DeepMAD network can achieve promising segmentation performances (0.9594 Dice for the lumen and 0.9657 Dice for the outer wall) and better diagnosis Accuracy of the carotid atherosclerosis (0.9503 AUC and 0.8916 Accuracy) in the test dataset (including invisible subjects) from same source as the training dataset. In addition, the trained DeepMAD model can be successfully transferred to another test dataset for segmentation and diagnosis tasks with remarkable performance (0.9475 Dice for the lumen and 0.9542 Dice for the outer wall, 0. 9227 AUC and 0.8679 Accuracy for diagnosis). CONCLUSIONS Even without the intervention of reviewers required for previous works, the proposed DeepMAD network automatically segments the lumen and the outer wall together and diagnoses the carotid atherosclerosis with high performances. The DeepMAD network can be used in clinical trials to help radiologists get rid of tedious reading tasks, such as screening review to separate the normal carotid from the atherosclerotic arteries and outlining the vessel wall contours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Wu
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jingmin Xin
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dongxiang Xu
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nanning Zheng
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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18
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Miao H, Yang Y, Wang H, Huo L, Wang M, Zhou Y, Hua Y, Ren M, Ren C, Ji X, Yang Q, Guo X. Intensive Lipid-Lowering Therapy Ameliorates Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis. Aging Dis 2019; 10:258-266. [PMID: 31011477 PMCID: PMC6457052 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2018.0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Statins have proven to exert protective effects in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (SICAS). It is unclear whether intensive lipid-lowering therapy (ILLT) can ameliorate atherosclerosis in asymptomatic ICAS (AICAS). A single-center, prospective cohort study was performed in 71 AICAS patients with lipid-lowering therapy. Vascular stenoses were evaluated with transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) before and after statin treatment. With target therapeutic level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≤ 1.8 mmol/L or ≥ 50% reduction from baseline after the two years of follow-up, patients were divided into intensive statin treatment (IST) group and standard statin treatment (SST) group. A total of 104 stenotic intracranial arteries were detected in 51 patients belonging to the IST group and 47 arteries in 20 patients of the SST group. In the first year, LDL-C levels were significantly decreased in the IST compared with SST groups (1.48 ± 0.26 vs. 2.20 ± 0.58, P=0.000). However, the ratio of regressed ICAS in IST was not significantly higher than that in SST (26.3% vs. 5.9%, P=0.052). Forty-nine branches in 25 patients of the IST group and 16 branches in 7 patients of the SST group were followed up for two years. The LDL-C level was decreased in the IST compared with SST groups (1.55 ± 0.29 vs. 2.36 ± 0.77, P=0.048). The ratio of regressed ICAS in the IST group was significantly higher than that in SST group (34.7% vs. 6.3%, P=0.017). We concluded that the degree of stenosis in AICAS can be ameliorated with intensive lipid-lowering therapy within two years; target LDL-C level can be reached by moderate-intensity statin treatment for Chinese AICAS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Miao
- 1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujiao Yang
- 2Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Han Wang
- 3Department of Neurology, Huimin Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Linyu Huo
- 4Department of Neurology, Haidian Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mengnan Wang
- 1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinghua Zhou
- 5Department of Ultrasonography, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Hua
- 5Department of Ultrasonography, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Ren
- 1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Changhong Ren
- 6Laboratory of Hypoxia, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xunming Ji
- 7Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Yang
- 8Department of Radiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuhai Guo
- 1Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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19
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Lu M, Peng P, Qiao H, Cui Y, Ma L, Cui B, Cai J, Zhao X. Association between age and progression of carotid artery atherosclerosis: a serial high resolution magnetic resonance imaging study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019; 35:1287-1295. [PMID: 30739271 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-019-01538-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the association between age and progression of carotid atherosclerotic plaques using serial high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Symptomatic patients who had carotid atherosclerosis with 30-70% stenosis were enrolled in this study. Carotid MRI was performed at baseline and follow-up time point (≥ 6 months after baseline), respectively. The characteristics of carotid plaque progression among different age groups (> 75 years old, 60-75 years old and < 60 years old) were compared. Logistic regression was performed to relate age with carotid plaque progression. Of recruited 84 patients, 73 (mean age, 66.5 ± 11.4 years old; males, 82.2%) with 96 plaques were included in the final analysis. Compared with younger patients, older ones had significantly higher incidence of calcification in carotid plaques (> 75 years old: 91.3%, 60-75 years old: 65.7% and < 60 years old: 55.3%, p = 0.013), greater annual change of carotid wall volume (> 75 years old: 39.0 (4.3-104.6) mm3, 60-75 years old: 28.7 (- 28.0 to 73.7) mm3 and < 60 years old: 4.8 (- 27.1-31.9) mm3, p = 0.032) and maximum carotid wall area (> 75 years old: 6.1 (- 3.5 to 17.2) mm2, 60-75 years old: 2.4 (- 4.7 to 15.1) mm2 and < 60 years old: 1.4 (- 5.8 to 6.9) mm2, p = 0.046). Age (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.10-1.89; p = 0.009) and hypertension (OR 4.61; 95% CI 1.41-15. 02; p = 0.011) were independent predictors in discriminating upper quartile of annual change of carotid wall volume after adjusting for all clinical factors. Older patients have faster progression rate in carotid plaques than younger ones and age is independently associated with carotid plaque progression. Our findings suggest that the carotid plaques of older patients need to be monitored more frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Lu
- Department of Radiology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.,Department of Radiology, Pingjin Hospital, Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Peng
- Department of Radiology, Pingjin Hospital, Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiyu Qiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cui
- Department of Radiology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Lu Ma
- Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bao Cui
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jianming Cai
- Department of Radiology, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, 100084, China.
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20
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Cattaneo M, Wyttenbach R, Corti R, Staub D, Gallino A. The Growing Field of Imaging of Atherosclerosis in Peripheral Arteries. Angiology 2018; 70:20-34. [PMID: 29783854 DOI: 10.1177/0003319718776122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, peripheral arteries have represented a model for the comprehension of atherosclerosis as well as for the development of new diagnostic imaging modalities and therapeutic strategies. Peripheral arteries may represent a window to study atherosclerosis. Pathology has prominently contributed to move the clinical and research attention from the arterial lumen stenosis and angiography to morphological and functional imaging techniques. Evidence from large and prospective cohort or randomized controlled studies is still modest. Nevertheless, several emerging imaging investigations represent a potential tool for a comprehensive "in vivo" evaluation of the entire natural history of peripheral atherosclerosis. This constitutes a demanding assignment, as it would be desirable to obtain both single-lesion focused and extensive arterial system views to achieve the most accurate prognostic information. Our narrative review rests upon the fundamental pathological evidence, summarizing the rapidly growing field of imaging of atherosclerosis in peripheral arteries and presenting a selection of both currently available and emerging imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Cattaneo
- 1 Cardiovascular Medicine Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Wyttenbach
- 2 Radiology Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,3 University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Corti
- 4 Cardiology Department, HerzKlinik Hirslanden, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Staub
- 5 Angiology Department, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Augusto Gallino
- 1 Cardiovascular Medicine Department, Ospedale Regionale di Bellinzona e Valli, San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,6 University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This short review summarizes the recent development in clinical and experimental imaging techniques for coronary atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS Coronary atherosclerosis is the underlying disease of myocardial infarction, the leading cause of death in the industrialized world. Conventional ways of risk assessment, including evaluation of traditional risk factors and interrogation of luminal stenosis, have proven imprecise for the prediction of major events. Rapid advances in noninvasive imaging techniques including MRI, CT, and PET, as well as catheter-based methods, have opened the doors to more in-depth interrogation of plaque burden, composition, and many crucial pathological processes such as inflammation and hemorrhage. These emerging imaging modalities and methodologies, combined with conventional imaging evidences of anatomy and ischemia, offer the promises to provide comprehensive information of the disease status. There is tremendous clinical potential for imaging to improve the current management of coronary atherosclerosis, including the identification of high-risk patients for aggressive therapies and guiding personalized treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art coronary plaque imaging techniques focusing on their respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as their clinical outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Xie
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., PACT Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Hang Jin
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., PACT Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Debiao Li
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., PACT Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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22
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Saba L, Yuan C, Hatsukami TS, Balu N, Qiao Y, DeMarco JK, Saam T, Moody AR, Li D, Matouk CC, Johnson MH, Jäger HR, Mossa-Basha M, Kooi ME, Fan Z, Saloner D, Wintermark M, Mikulis DJ, Wasserman BA. Carotid Artery Wall Imaging: Perspective and Guidelines from the ASNR Vessel Wall Imaging Study Group and Expert Consensus Recommendations of the American Society of Neuroradiology. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018; 39:E9-E31. [PMID: 29326139 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Identification of carotid artery atherosclerosis is conventionally based on measurements of luminal stenosis and surface irregularities using in vivo imaging techniques including sonography, CT and MR angiography, and digital subtraction angiography. However, histopathologic studies demonstrate considerable differences between plaques with identical degrees of stenosis and indicate that certain plaque features are associated with increased risk for ischemic events. The ability to look beyond the lumen using highly developed vessel wall imaging methods to identify plaque vulnerable to disruption has prompted an active debate as to whether a paradigm shift is needed to move away from relying on measurements of luminal stenosis for gauging the risk of ischemic injury. Further evaluation in randomized clinical trials will help to better define the exact role of plaque imaging in clinical decision-making. However, current carotid vessel wall imaging techniques can be informative. The goal of this article is to present the perspective of the ASNR Vessel Wall Imaging Study Group as it relates to the current status of arterial wall imaging in carotid artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Saba
- From the Department of Medical Imaging (L.S.), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - C Yuan
- Departments of Radiology (C.Y., N.B., M.M.-B.)
| | - T S Hatsukami
- Surgery (T.S.H.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - N Balu
- Departments of Radiology (C.Y., N.B., M.M.-B.)
| | - Y Qiao
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences (Y.Q., B.A.W.), Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - J K DeMarco
- Department of Radiology (J.K.D.), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - T Saam
- Department of Radiology (T.S.), Ludwig-Maximilian University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - A R Moody
- Department of Medical Imaging (A.R.M.), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - D Li
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (D.L., Z.F.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - C C Matouk
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurovascular and Stroke Programs (C.C.M., M.H.J.).,Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (C.C.M., M.H.J.)
| | - M H Johnson
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurovascular and Stroke Programs (C.C.M., M.H.J.).,Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (C.C.M., M.H.J.).,Surgery (M.H.J.), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - H R Jäger
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit (H.R.J.), Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - M E Kooi
- Department of Radiology (M.E.K.), CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Z Fan
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute (D.L., Z.F.), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - D Saloner
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (D.S.), University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - M Wintermark
- Department of Radiology (M.W.), Neuroradiology Division, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - D J Mikulis
- Division of Neuroradiology (D.J.M.), Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network
| | - B A Wasserman
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences (Y.Q., B.A.W.), Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
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Brinjikji W, Lehman VT, Kallmes DF, Rabinstein AA, Lanzino G, Murad MH, Mulvagh S, Klaas J, Graff-Radford J, DeMarco KJ, Huston III J. The effects of statin therapy on carotid plaque composition and volume: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neuroradiol 2017; 44:234-240. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2016.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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24
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LeBlanc S, Bibeau K, Bertrand OF, Lévesque V, Deschênes St-Pierre B, Pibarot P, Després JP, Larose E. Carotid versus coronary atherosclerosis burdens in acute compared with chronic symptomatic coronary artery disease. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2017; 95:878-887. [PMID: 28520469 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2016-0588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of coronary events remains elusive. Carotid atherosclerosis may be a surrogate for coronary risk, as carotid and coronary diseases occur simultaneously - albeit at times with a weak association - depending on clinical presentation. We investigated carotid and coronary atherosclerosis in men with new-onset unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) vs. long-standing severe chronic stable angina (CSA). Bilateral carotid artery and 3-vessel coronary artery atherosclerosis burdens were measured within 1 month, respectively, by 3D-volumetric carotid magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography-derived modified CASS-50 score. Men with STEMI (n = 50) and long-standing CSA (n = 50), matched for age, were enrolled (58.6 ± 8.8 years). All of them had carotid atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis burden was greater in the carotid arteries of STEMI vs. CSA (wall volume: 196.2 ± 44.4 vs. 169.2 ± 38.0 mm3/4 mm, p = 0.002), but greater in the coronary arteries of CSA vs. STEMI (modified CASS-50 score: 3 vs. 1, p < 0.0001). Normalized wall index (NWI) of internal carotid was associated with modified CASS-50 score in STEMI (ρ = 0.40, p = 0.022) and in CSA (ρ = -0.39, p = 0.031). Carotid atherosclerosis was observed in all CAD patients, and atherosclerosis burden in carotid and in coronary arteries varied according to clinical presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie LeBlanc
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Karine Bibeau
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada
| | - Olivier F Bertrand
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Valérie Lévesque
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Béatrice Deschênes St-Pierre
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Després
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Eric Larose
- a Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada.,b Département de médecine, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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25
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Hjortebjerg R, Laugesen E, Høyem P, Oxvig C, Stausbøl-Grøn B, Knudsen ST, Kim WY, Poulsen PL, Hansen TK, Bjerre M, Frystyk J. The IGF system in patients with type 2 diabetes: associations with markers of cardiovascular target organ damage. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:521-531. [PMID: 28179448 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Perturbations in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system may contribute to the accelerated cardiovascular disease (CVD) that occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, it remains unknown whether the IGF system is also involved in the development of early, subclinical CVD. We characterised the IGF system in T2D patients and matched controls and examined the associations with markers of subclinical target organ damage. METHODS The study included 99 patients with recently diagnosed T2D and 99 age- and sex-matched controls. IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 to -4 were measured by immunoassays, as were pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and the PAPP-A-generated N-terminal (NT) and C-terminal (CT) IGFBP-4 fragments, which are novel CVD risk markers. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) and carotid artery remodelling were determined by MRI. RESULTS After multivariate adjustments, patients with T2D had lower concentrations of IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, NT- and CT-IGFBP-4, when compared with controls. IGFBP-2 was inversely correlated to PWV in all subjects in multivariate analysis (P < 0.05), and IGFBP-3 was inversely associated with severity of WMLs (P < 0.05). The NT-IGFBP-4 fragment was associated with the degree of carotid artery remodelling among all subjects (regression coefficient (95% CI): 2.95 (0.70, 5.16), P = 0.011). Levels of NT- and CT-IGFBP-4 were reduced in T2D patients receiving metformin compared to those in controls and patients not receiving metformin. CONCLUSIONS Even in recently diagnosed and well-controlled T2D patients, IGF protein levels are altered and associated with CVD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Hjortebjerg
- Department of Clinical MedicineMedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Danish Diabetes AcademyOdense, Denmark
| | - Esben Laugesen
- The Danish Diabetes AcademyOdense, Denmark
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pernille Høyem
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Claus Oxvig
- Department of Molecular Biology and GeneticsFaculty of Science & Technology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Søren T Knudsen
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Won Y Kim
- Department of RadiologySection of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Department of CardiologyAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Per L Poulsen
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Troels K Hansen
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Bjerre
- Department of Clinical MedicineMedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Frystyk
- Department of Clinical MedicineMedical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineAarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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26
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Kerwin WS, Miller Z, Yuan C. Imaging of the high-risk carotid plaque: magnetic resonance imaging. Semin Vasc Surg 2017; 30:54-61. [PMID: 28818259 DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of the concept of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque has led to considerable interest in noninvasive imaging techniques to identify high-risk features before clinical sequelae. For plaques in the carotid arteries, magnetic resonance imaging has undergone considerable histologic validation to link imaging features to indicators of plaque instability, including plaque burden, intraplaque hemorrhage, fibrous cap disruption, lipid rich necrotic core, and calcification. Recently introduced imaging technologies, especially those focused on three-dimensional imaging sequences, are now poised for integration into the clinical workup of patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis. The purpose of this article is to review the carotid plaque magnetic resonance imaging techniques that are most ready for integration into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Kerwin
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Zach Miller
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109
| | - Chun Yuan
- University of Washington Vascular Imaging Lab, Department of Radiology, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109.
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27
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Feng T, Huang X, Liang Q, Liang Y, Yuan Y, Feng L, Wu W, Xiao X, Han Y. Effects of Pitavastatin on Lipid-rich Carotid Plaques Studied Using High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Clin Ther 2017; 39:620-629. [PMID: 28185713 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 01/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study evaluates the effectiveness of pitavastatin in patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS Sixty patients with atherosclerosis with lipid-rich carotid plaques were included and allocated into low-dose (2 mg/d) and high-dose (4 mg/d) pitavastatin groups with 48 weeks of treatment. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a), and the inflammation-related factors interleukin 6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine were determined. High-resolution (3.0-T) magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the lipid core area, plaque thickness, total vessel area, lumen area, wall area, and normalized wall index. FINDINGS After the treatment period, the blood serum values were improved in both groups, but the improvement was significantly better for total cholesterol (P < 0.009), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a), and homocysteine (all P < 0.001) in the high-dose group. The high-resolution magnetic resonance images revealed great improvements in both groups, although significantly better for the lipid core area (P < 0.001), plaque thickness (P < 0.001), wall area (P < 0.05), normalized wall index (P < 0.001), and lumen area (P < 0.05) in the HD group. Further analyses revealed a close correlation between lipid-rich plaques and changes in blood lipid components. IMPLICATIONS Pitavastatin had significant lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with atherosclerosis. It also reduced the lipid components and plaques of lipid rich carotid plaques. The effect was obviously stronger in the high-dose than in the low-dose group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Feng
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoxing Huang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Qundi Liang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Liang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Deanery, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Feng
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjun Wu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuehong Xiao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
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28
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Selwaness M, Hameeteman R, Van 't Klooster R, Van den Bouwhuijsen Q, Hofman A, Franco OH, Niessen WJ, Klein S, Vernooij MW, Van der Lugt A, Wentzel JJ. Determinants of carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden in a stroke-free population. Atherosclerosis 2016; 255:186-192. [PMID: 27806835 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In a large stroke-free population, we sought to identify cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque components associated with carotid plaque burden, lumen volume and stenosis. METHODS The carotid arteries of 1562 stroke-free participants from The Rotterdam Study were imaged on a 1.5-Tesla MRI scanner. Inner and outer wall of the carotid arteries were automatically segmented and lumen volume (mm3), wall volume (outer wall-inner wall) and plaque burden (wall volume/outer wall volume) (%) were quantified. Plaque components were visually determined and luminal stenosis was assessed. We analyzed associations of cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque components with plaque burden and lumen volumes using regression analysis. RESULTS We investigated 2821 carotid plaques and found that women had larger plaque burden (50.7 ± 7.8% vs. 49.2 ± 7.7%, p < 0.0001) and smaller lumen volumes (933 ± 286 mm3vs. 1078 ± 334 mm3, p < 0.0001) than men. In women, age, HDL-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, and in men, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and statin use were independently associated with higher plaque burden and lumen volume. Furthermore, smoking and diabetes were associated with lumen volume in men (respectively p = 0.04 and p = 0.002). Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and lipid were related to a larger plaque burden (OR 1.30 [1.05-1.60] and OR 1.28[1.06-1.55]). Finally, within the highest quartile of plaque burden, IPH was strongly associated with luminal stenosis independent of age, sex, plaque burden and composition (Beta = 15.2; [11.8-18.6]). CONCLUSIONS Several cardiovascular risk factors and plaque components, in particular IPH, are associated with higher plaque burden. Carotid IPH is strongly associated with an increased luminal stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reinhard Hameeteman
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald Van 't Klooster
- Division of Image Processing, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Albert Hofman
- Department of Epidemiology, MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oscar H Franco
- Department of Epidemiology, MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiro J Niessen
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Klein
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Meike W Vernooij
- Department of Epidemiology, MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jolanda J Wentzel
- Department of Cardiology, Biomedical Engineering, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Singh J, Brunner G, Morrisett JD, Ballantyne CM, Lumsden AB, Shah DJ, Decuzzi P. Patient-Specific Flow Descriptors and Normalized wall index in Peripheral Artery Disease: a Preliminary Study. COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING. IMAGING & VISUALIZATION 2016; 6:119-127. [PMID: 29503774 PMCID: PMC5830147 DOI: 10.1080/21681163.2016.1184589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS MRI-based hemodynamics have been applied to study the relationship between time-averaged wall shear stresses (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI) and atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries, carotid artery, and human aorta. However, the role of TAWSS and OSI are poorly understood in lower extremity arteries. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of hemodynamic assessment of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and we hypothesized that there is an association between TAWSS and OSI, respectively, and atherosclerotic burden expressed as the normalized wall index (NWI). METHODS Six cases of 3D vascular geometries of the SFA and related inlet/outlet flow conditions were extracted from patient-specific MRI data including baseline, 12 and 24 months. Blood flow simulations were performed to compute flow descriptors, including TAWSS and OSI, and NWI. RESULTS NWI was correlated positively with TAWSS (correlation coefficient: r = 0.592; p < 0.05). NWI was correlated negatively with OSI (correlation coefficient: r = -0.310, p < 0.01). Spatially averaged TAWSS and average NWI increased significantly between baseline and 24-months, whereas OSI decreased over 2-years. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study with a limited sample size, TAWSS was positively associated with NWI, a measure of plaque burden, whereas OSI showed an inverse relationship. However, our findings need to be verified in a larger prospective study. MRI-based study of hemodynamics is feasible in the superficial femoral artery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaykrishna Singh
- Department of Translational Imaging, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Gerd Brunner
- Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Joel D. Morrisett
- Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Christie M. Ballantyne
- Division of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Alan B. Lumsden
- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Dipan J. Shah
- Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Department of Translational Imaging, The Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), Houston, TX
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30
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Sandfort V, Lai S, Ahlman MA, Mallek M, Liu S, Sibley CT, Turkbey EB, Lima JAC, Bluemke DA. Obesity Is Associated With Progression of Atherosclerosis During Statin Treatment. J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5:e003621. [PMID: 27413040 PMCID: PMC5015399 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.003621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the relationship of statin therapy and cardiovascular risk factors to changes in atherosclerosis in the carotid artery. METHODS AND RESULTS Carotid magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate 106 hyperlipidemic participants at baseline and after 12 months of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with progression (change in carotid wall volume >0) or regression (change ≤0) of carotid atherosclerosis. Computed tomography coronary calcium scores were obtained at baseline for all participants. The median age was 65 years (interquartile range 60-69 years), and 63% of the participants were male. Body mass index >30, elevated C-reactive protein, and hypertension were associated with increased carotid wall volume (obesity: odds ratio for progression 4.6, 95% CI 1.8-12.4, P<0.01; C-reactive protein: odds ratio for progression 2.56, 95% CI 1.17-5.73, P=0.02; hypertension: odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.3, P<0.05). Higher statin dose was associated with regression of carotid wall volume (P<0.05). In multivariable analysis, obesity remained associated with progression (P<0.01), whereas statin use remained associated with regression (P<0.05). Change in atheroma volume in obese participants was +4.8% versus -4.2% in nonobese participants (P<0.05) despite greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction in obese participants. CONCLUSIONS In a population with hyperlipidemia, obese patients showed atheroma progression despite optimized statin therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01212900.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit Sandfort
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Mark A Ahlman
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | - Marissa Mallek
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | - Songtao Liu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | - Christopher T Sibley
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | - Evrim B Turkbey
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - David A Bluemke
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD
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31
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Gao S, van 't Klooster R, Brandts A, Roes SD, Alizadeh Dehnavi R, de Roos A, Westenberg JJ, van der Geest RJ. Quantification of common carotid artery and descending aorta vessel wall thickness from MR vessel wall imaging using a fully automated processing pipeline. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 45:215-228. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shan Gao
- Division of Image Processing; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | - Ronald van 't Klooster
- Division of Image Processing; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | - Anne Brandts
- Department of Radiology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | - Stijntje D. Roes
- Department of Radiology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | | | - Albert de Roos
- Department of Radiology; Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | - Jos J.M. Westenberg
- Division of Image Processing; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
| | - Rob J. van der Geest
- Division of Image Processing; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center; Leiden Netherlands
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van den Bosch H, Westenberg J, Setz-Pels W, Kersten E, Tielbeek A, Duijm L, Post J, Teijink J, de Roos A. Prognostic value of cardiovascular MR imaging biomarkers on outcome in peripheral arterial disease: a 6-year follow-up pilot study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2016; 32:1281-8. [PMID: 27209283 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-016-0908-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this pilot study was to explore the prognostic value of outcome of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging biomarkers in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in comparison with traditional risk factors. Forty-two consecutive patients (mean age 64 ± 11 years, 22 men) referred for contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) were included. At baseline a comprehensive cardiovascular MRI examination was performed: CE-MRA of the infra-renal aorta and run-off vessels, carotid vessel wall imaging, cardiac cine imaging and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment. Patients were categorized for outcome at 72 ± 5 months follow-up. One patient was lost to follow-up. Over 6 years, six patients had died (mortality rate 14.6 %), six patients (14.6 %) had experienced a cardiac event and three patients (7.3 %) a cerebral event. The mean MRA stenosis class (i.e., average stenosis severity visually scored over 27 standardized segments) was a significant independent predictor for all-cause mortality (beta 3.0 ± standard error 1.3, p = 0.02). Descending aorta PWV, age and diabetes mellitus were interrelated with stenosis severity but none of these were significant independent predictors. For cardiac morbidity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mean MRA stenosis class were associated, but only LVEF was a significant independent predictor (beta -0.14 ± 0.05, p = 0.005). Diabetes mellitus was a significant independent predictor for cerebral morbidity (beta 2.8 ± 1.3, p = 0.03). Significant independent predictors for outcome in PAD are mean MRA stenosis class for all-cause mortality, LVEF for cardiac morbidity and diabetes mellitus for cerebral morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jos Westenberg
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wikke Setz-Pels
- Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Kersten
- Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lucien Duijm
- Department of Radiology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Post
- Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Joep Teijink
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert de Roos
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Li F, Wang X. Bilateral symmetry of human carotid artery atherosclerosis: a multi-contrast weighted MR study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2016; 32:1219-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-016-0890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Doris MK, Newby DE. Identification of early vascular calcification with (18)F-sodium fluoride: potential clinical application. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther 2016; 14:691-701. [PMID: 26854119 DOI: 10.1586/14779072.2016.1151354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Vascular calcification plays a prominent role in cardiovascular disease. Once considered to be a passive consequence of aging, this pathological process is now accepted to be dynamic and tightly regulated, its onset triggered by inflammation and necrosis and its progression bearing key similarities to osteogenesis. A major potential advance in our ability to understand the natural history and clinical implications of vascular calcification is the detection of its early and dynamic stages through the use of the positron-emitting radiotracer, (18)F-sodium fluoride. Alongside anatomical information gained from computed tomography, hybrid positron emission and computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with (18)F-sodium fluoride has, for the first time, enabled the non-invasive detection of microcalcification within the aortic valve, great vessels, and vulnerable coronary plaque. This has raised promise that exploring this process may allow improved risk prediction, better application of current therapies and ultimately the development of novel treatments to target this widespread pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mhairi K Doris
- a Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , Scotland , UK
| | - David E Newby
- a Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh , Scotland , UK
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Xu P, Lv L, Li S, Ge H, Rong Y, Hu C, Xu K. Use of high-resolution 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging to characterize atherosclerotic plaques in patients with cerebral infarction. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:2424-2428. [PMID: 26668651 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the utility of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with acute and non-acute cerebral infarction. High-resolution MRI of unilateral stenotic middle cerebral arteries was performed to evaluate the degree of stenosis, the wall and plaque areas, plaque enhancement patterns and lumen remodeling features in 15 and 17 patients with acute and non-acute cerebral infarction, respectively. No significant difference was identified in the vascular stenosis rate between acute and non-acute patients. Overall, plaque eccentricity was observed in 29 patients, including 13 acute and 16 non-acute cases, with no significant difference identified between these groups. The wall area of stenotic arteries and the number of cases with plaque enhancement were significantly greater in the acute patients, but no significant difference in plaque or lumen area was identified between the 2 patient groups. Lumen remodeling patterns of stenotic arteries significantly differed between the acute and non-acute patients; the former predominantly demonstrated positive remodeling, and the latter group demonstrated evidence of negative remodeling. In conclusion, patients with acute and non-acute cerebral infarction exhibit specific characteristics in stenotic arteries and plaques, which can be effectively evaluated by high-resolution MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
| | - Lulu Lv
- Department of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Shaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
| | - Haitao Ge
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
| | - Yutao Rong
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
| | - Chunfeng Hu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
| | - Kai Xu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221006, P.R. China
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Treiman GS, McNally JS, Kim SE, Parker DL. Correlation of Carotid Intraplaque Hemorrhage and Stroke Using 1.5 T and 3 T MRI. MAGNETIC RESONANCE INSIGHTS 2015; 8:1-8. [PMID: 26056469 PMCID: PMC4454204 DOI: 10.4137/mri.s23560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Carotid therosclerotic disease causes approximately 25% of the nearly 690,000 ischemic strokes each year in the United States. Current risk stratification based on percent stenosis does not provide specific information on the actual risk of stroke for most individuals. Prospective randomized studies have found only 10 to 12% of asymptomatic patients will have a symptomatic stroke within 5 years. Measurements of percent stenosis do not determine plaque stability or composition. Reports have concluded that cerebral ischemic events associated with carotid plaque are intimately associated with plaque instability. Analysis of retrospective studies has found that plaque composition is important in risk stratification. Only MRI has the ability to identify and measure the detailed components and morphology of carotid plaque and provides more detailed information than other currently available techniques. MRI can accurately detect carotid hemorrhage, and MRI identified carotid hemorrhage correlates with acute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald S Treiman
- Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ; Department of Surgery, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ; Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - J Scott McNally
- Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Seong-Eun Kim
- Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Dennis L Parker
- Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Simpson RJ, Akwei S, Hosseini AA, MacSweeney ST, Auer DP, Altaf N. MR imaging-detected carotid plaque hemorrhage is stable for 2 years and a marker for stenosis progression. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 36:1171-5. [PMID: 25742988 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MR imaging-detected carotid plaque hemorrhage is associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events and could be an indicator of disease progression; however, there are limited data regarding the dynamics of the MR imaging-detected carotid plaque hemorrhage signal. We assessed the temporal change of this signal and its impact on carotid disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-seven symptomatic patients with 54 carotid stenoses of >30% on sonography underwent serial MR imaging during 24 months. A signal-intensity ratio of >1.5 between the carotid plaque and adjacent muscle was defined as plaque hemorrhage, and a change in signal-intensity ratio of >0.31 between time points was considered significant. Sixteen patients underwent ≥2 carotid sonography scans to determine the peak systolic velocities and degree of stenosis with time. RESULTS Of the 54 carotids, 28 had the presence of hyperintense signal on an MR imaging sequence (PH+) and 26 had the absence of hyperintense signal on an MR imaging sequence (PH-) at baseline. The signal-intensity ratio was stable in 33/54 carotid plaques, but 39% showed a change. Plaque hemorrhage classification did not change in 87% of carotid plaques, but 4 became PH+, and 3, PH-. As a group, PH+ carotids did not change significantly in signal-intensity ratio (P = .585), whereas PH- showed an increased signal-intensity ratio at 24.5 months (P = .02). In PH+ plaques, peak systolic velocities significantly increased by 22 ± 39.8 cm/s from baseline to last follow-up sonography (Z = 2.427, P = .013). CONCLUSIONS During 2 years, MR imaging-detected carotid plaque hemorrhage status remained stable in most (87%) cases with 4 (7%) incident plaque hemorrhages. PH+ plaques were associated with increased flow velocity during the follow-up period.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Simpson
- From the Radiological Sciences Group (R.J.S., S.A., A.A.H., D.P.A., N.A.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (R.J.S., S.T.M., N.A.), Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
| | - S Akwei
- From the Radiological Sciences Group (R.J.S., S.A., A.A.H., D.P.A., N.A.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - A A Hosseini
- From the Radiological Sciences Group (R.J.S., S.A., A.A.H., D.P.A., N.A.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - S T MacSweeney
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (R.J.S., S.T.M., N.A.), Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - D P Auer
- From the Radiological Sciences Group (R.J.S., S.A., A.A.H., D.P.A., N.A.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - N Altaf
- From the Radiological Sciences Group (R.J.S., S.A., A.A.H., D.P.A., N.A.), Division of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (R.J.S., S.T.M., N.A.), Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Phase-Sensitive Dual-Inversion Recovery for Accelerated Carotid Vessel Wall Imaging. Invest Radiol 2015; 50:135-43. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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40
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van den Bosch HCM, Westenberg JJM, Setz-Pels W, Wondergem J, Wolterbeek R, Duijm LEM, Teijink JAW, de Roos A. Site-specific association between distal aortic pulse wave velocity and peripheral arterial stenosis severity: a prospective cardiovascular magnetic resonance study. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2015; 17:2. [PMID: 25600313 PMCID: PMC4298121 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-014-0095-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular disease expression in one location may not be representative for disease severity in other vascular territories, however, strong correlation between disease expression and severity within the same vascular segment may be expected. Therefore, we hypothesized that aortic stiffening is more strongly associated with disease expression in a vascular territory directly linked to that aortic segment rather than in a more remote segment. We prospectively compared the association between aortic wall stiffness, expressed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), sampled in the distal aorta, with the severity of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) as compared to atherosclerotic markers sampled in remote vascular territories such as PWV in the proximal aorta and the normalized wall index (NWI), representing the vessel wall thickness, of the left common carotid artery. METHODS Forty-two patients (23 men; mean age 64±10 years) underwent velocity-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the proximal and distal aorta, whole-body contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) and carotid vessel wall imaging with black-blood CMR in the work-up for PAOD. Strength of associations between aortic stiffness, carotid NWI and peripheral vascular stenosis grade were assessed and evaluated with multiple linear regression. RESULTS Stenosis severity correlated well with PWV in the distal aorta (Pearson rP=0.64, p<0.001, Spearman rS=0.65, p<0.001) but to a lesser extent with PWV in the proximal aorta (rP=0.48, p=0.002, rS=0.22, p=0.18). Carotid NWI was not associated with peripheral stenosis severity (rP=0.17, p=0.28, rS=0.14, p=0.37) nor with PWV in the proximal aorta (rP=0.22, p=0.17) nor in the distal aorta (rP=0.21, p=0.18). Correlation between stenosis severity and distal aortic PWV remained statistically significant after correction for age and gender. CONCLUSIONS Distal aortic wall stiffness is more directly related to peripheral arterial stenosis severity than markers from more remote vascular territories such as proximal aortic wall stiffness or carotid arterial wall thickness. Site-specific evaluation of vascular disease may be required for full vascular risk estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrie C M van den Bosch
- />Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jos J M Westenberg
- />Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wikke Setz-Pels
- />Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - John Wondergem
- />Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623EJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Wolterbeek
- />Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucien E M Duijm
- />Department of Radiology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joep A W Teijink
- />Department of Vascular Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert de Roos
- />Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Huynh TTT, Broadbent KC, Jacob AD, James S, Erasmus JJ. Screening for carotid artery stenosis. Semin Roentgenol 2014; 50:127-38. [PMID: 25770343 DOI: 10.1053/j.ro.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tam T T Huynh
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
| | - Karen C Broadbent
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Alexis D Jacob
- Deparment of Vascular Surgery, PeaceHealth St.Joseph Hospital, Bellingham, WA
| | - Sorensen James
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jeremy J Erasmus
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Watanabe Y, Nagayama M, Sakata A, Okumura A, Amoh Y, Ishimori T, Nakashita S, Dodo Y. Evaluation of Fibrous Cap Rupture of Atherosclerotic Carotid Plaque with Thin-Slice Source Images of Time-of-Flight MR Angiography. Ann Vasc Dis 2014; 7:127-33. [PMID: 24995056 DOI: 10.3400/avd.oa.13-00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of source image of time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA) in the detection of fibrous cap rupture of atherosclerotic carotid plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS From the database of radiological information in our hospital, 35 patients who underwent carotid MR imaging and subsequent carotid endoarterectomy within 2 weeks were included in this retrospective study. MR imaging included thin-slice time-of-flight MR angiography, black-blood T1- and T2-weighted imaging. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for the detection of fibrous cap rupture with source image of TOF-MRA. The Cohen k coefficient was also calculated to quantify the degree of concordance of source image of TOF-MRA with histopathological data. RESULTS Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the detection of fibrous cap rupture were 90% (95%CI: 81-98), 69% (95%CI: 56-82) and 79% (95%CI: 71-87) with a k value of 0.59. The false positives (n = 15) were caused by partial-volume averaging between fibrous cap and lumen at the shoulder of carotid plaque. The false negatives (n = 5) were underestimated as partial thinning of fibrous cap. CONCLUSION Source image of TOF-MRA can be useful in the detection of fibrous cap rupture with high sensitivity, but further technical improvement should be necessary to overcome shortcomings causing image degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Watanabe
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masako Nagayama
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakata
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Akira Okumura
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Amoh
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Ishimori
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Satoru Nakashita
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Dodo
- Department of Radiology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
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Zavodni AEH, Wasserman BA, McClelland RL, Gomes AS, Folsom AR, Polak JF, Lima JAC, Bluemke DA. Carotid artery plaque morphology and composition in relation to incident cardiovascular events: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Radiology 2014; 271:381-9. [PMID: 24592924 PMCID: PMC4263652 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.14131020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine if carotid plaque morphology and composition with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to identify asymptomatic subjects at risk for cardiovascular events. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review boards at each site approved the study, and all sites were Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant. A total of 946 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) were evaluated with MR imaging and ultrasonography (US). MR imaging was used to define carotid plaque composition and remodeling index (wall area divided by the sum of wall area and lumen area), while US was used to assess carotid wall thickness. Incident cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, resuscitated cardiac arrest, angina, stroke, and death, were ascertained for an average of 5.5 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, C statistics, and net reclassification improvement (NRI) for event prediction were determined. RESULTS Cardiovascular events occurred in 59 (6%) of participants. Carotid IMT as well as MR imaging remodeling index, lipid core, and calcium in the internal carotid artery were significant predictors of events in univariate analysis (P < .001 for all). For traditional risk factors, the C statistic for event prediction was 0.696. For MR imaging remodeling index and lipid core, the C statistic was 0.734 and the NRI was 7.4% and 15.8% for participants with and those without cardiovascular events, respectively (P = .02). The NRI for US IMT in addition to traditional risk factors was not significant. CONCLUSION The identification of vulnerable plaque characteristics with MR imaging aids in cardiovascular disease prediction and improves the reclassification of baseline cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E. H. Zavodni
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - Bruce A. Wasserman
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - Robyn L. McClelland
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - Antoinette S. Gomes
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - Aaron R. Folsom
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - Joseph F. Polak
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - João A. C. Lima
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
| | - David A. Bluemke
- From the Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (A.E.H.Z.); Departments of Radiology (B.A.W., J.A.C.L.) and Medicine (J.A.C.L.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash (R.L.M.); Department of Radiology, University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, Calif (A.S.G.); Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (A.R.F.); Department of Radiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.F.P.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892 (D.A.B.)
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The carotid plaque imaging in acute stroke (CAPIAS) study: protocol and initial baseline data. BMC Neurol 2013; 13:201. [PMID: 24330333 PMCID: PMC3878777 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In up to 30% of patients with ischemic stroke no definite etiology can be established. A significant proportion of cryptogenic stroke cases may be due to non-stenosing atherosclerotic plaques or low grade carotid artery stenosis not fulfilling common criteria for atherothrombotic stroke. The aim of the CAPIAS study is to determine the frequency, characteristics, clinical and radiological long-term consequences of ipsilateral complicated American Heart Association lesion type VI (AHA-LT VI) carotid artery plaques in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Methods/Design 300 patients (age >49 years) with unilateral DWI-positive lesions in the anterior circulation and non- or moderately stenosing (<70% NASCET) internal carotid artery plaques will be enrolled in the prospective multicenter study CAPIAS. Carotid plaque characteristics will be determined by high-resolution black-blood carotid MRI at baseline and 12 month follow up. Primary outcome is the prevalence of complicated AHA-LT VI plaques in cryptogenic stroke patients ipsilateral to the ischemic stroke compared to the contralateral side and to patients with defined stroke etiology. Secondary outcomes include the association of AHA-LT VI plaques with the recurrence rates of ischemic events up to 36 months, rates of new ischemic lesions on cerebral MRI (including clinically silent lesions) after 12 months and the influence of specific AHA-LT VI plaque features on the progression of atherosclerotic disease burden, on specific infarct patterns, biomarkers and aortic arch plaques. Discussion CAPIAS will provide important insights into the role of non-stenosing carotid artery plaques in cryptogenic stroke. The results might have implications for our understanding of stroke mechanism, offer new diagnostic options and provide the basis for the planning of targeted interventional studies. Trial Registration NCT01284933
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Yogo M, Sasaki M, Ayaori M, Kihara T, Sato H, Takiguchi S, Uto-Kondo H, Yakushiji E, Nakaya K, Komatsu T, Momiyama Y, Nagata M, Mochio S, Iguchi Y, Ikewaki K. Intensive lipid lowering therapy with titrated rosuvastatin yields greater atherosclerotic aortic plaque regression: Serial magnetic resonance imaging observations from RAPID study. Atherosclerosis 2013; 232:31-9. [PMID: 24401214 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although previous randomized clinical trials established a basis for lipid guidelines worldwide, they employed fixed doses of statins throughout trials (fire-and-forget approach). In the real clinical setting, however, statin doses are titrated to achieve target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (treat-to-target approach). The major objective was to investigate whether intensive lipid-lowering therapy using the treat-to-target approach yielded greater regression of aortic plaques. METHODS We therefore performed a prospective, randomized trial comparing the effects of standard (achieve LDL-C levels recommended by the Japanese guidelines) and intensive (achieve 30% lower LDL-C levels than standard) rosuvastatin therapy for 1 year in 60 hypercholesterolemic patients with a primary endpoint of aortic atherosclerotic plaques evaluated by non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Average doses were 2.9 ± 3.1 and 6.5 ± 5.1 mg/day for standard (n = 29) and intensive therapy group (n = 31), respectively. Although both therapies significantly reduced LDL-C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, LDL-C reduction was significantly greater in the intensive group (-46 vs. -34%). MRI study showed that thoracic aortic plaques were significantly regressed in both groups, with greater regression of thoracic plaque in the intensive group (-9.1 vs. -3.2%, p = 0.01). Multivariate analyses revealed that thoracic plaque regression was significantly correlated with hsCRP reduction, but not with changes in serum lipids, endothelial function, or doses of rosuvastatin. CONCLUSION Intensive statin therapy with titration targeting lower LDL-C levels resulted in greater thoracic aortic plaque regression compared to standard therapy, which was correlated with hsCRP reduction, suggesting that intensive statin therapy could provide better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Yogo
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan; Department of Neurology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Makoto Sasaki
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Makoto Ayaori
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan.
| | | | - Hiroki Sato
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Shunichi Takiguchi
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Harumi Uto-Kondo
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Emi Yakushiji
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Nakaya
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Komatsu
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
| | - Yukihiko Momiyama
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Japan
| | | | - Soichiro Mochio
- Department of Neurology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Iguchi
- Department of Neurology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Katsunori Ikewaki
- Division of Anti-aging and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Japan
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Chi J, Chiu B, Cao Y, Liu X, Wang J, Balu N, Yuan C, Xu J. Assessment of femoral artery atherosclerosis at the adductor canal using 3D black-blood MRI. Clin Radiol 2013; 68:e213-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zhao XQ, Kerwin WS. Utilizing imaging tools in lipidology: examining the potential of MRI for monitoring cholesterol therapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [PMID: 23197995 DOI: 10.2217/clp.12.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Lipid abnormalities play important roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Lipid therapies result in alterations in atherosclerotic plaques including halting of progression of the plaque, lipid transport out of the plaque and reducing inflammatory activity, which lead to plaque morphologies that are less prone to disruption, the main cause of clinical events. In order to investigate and monitor plaque morphological changes during lipid therapy in vivo we need an imaging method that can provide accurate assessment of plaque tissue components and activity. MRI of atherosclerosis has been validated as a reliable assessment of the size of the vessel lumen, but also the size of the plaque, its tissue composition and plaque activity, including inflammation. The purpose of this review is to summarize the state of evidence for the direct assessment of atherosclerotic plaque and its change by MRI, and to establish the proven role of MRI of atherosclerosis in pharmaceutical trials with lipid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Qiao Zhao
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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Kerwin WS. Carotid artery disease and stroke: assessing risk with vessel wall MRI. ISRN CARDIOLOGY 2012; 2012:180710. [PMID: 23209940 PMCID: PMC3504380 DOI: 10.5402/2012/180710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although MRI is widely used to diagnose stenotic carotid arteries, it also detects characteristics of the atherosclerotic plaque itself, including its size, composition, and activity. These features are emerging as additional risk factors for stroke that can be feasibly acquired clinically. This paper summarizes the state of evidence for a clinical role for MRI of carotid atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Kerwin
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA ; VPDiagnostics Incorporation, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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Adraktas DD, Tong E, Furtado AD, Cheng SC, Wintermark M. Evolution of CT Imaging Features of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques in a 1-Year Prospective Cohort Study. J Neuroimaging 2012; 24:1-6. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2012.00705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2011] [Revised: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dionesia D. Adraktas
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division; University of California; San Francisco CA
| | - Elizabeth Tong
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division; University of California; San Francisco CA
| | - Andre D. Furtado
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division; University of California; San Francisco CA
| | - Su-Chun Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; University of California; San Francisco CA
| | - Max Wintermark
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division; University of Virginia; Charlottesville VA
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Kwee RM, Truijman MTB, van Oostenbrugge RJ, Mess WH, Prins MH, Franke CL, Korten AGGC, Wildberger JE, Kooi ME. Longitudinal MRI study on the natural history of carotid artery plaques in symptomatic patients. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42472. [PMID: 22860130 PMCID: PMC3409172 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the natural history of carotid atherosclerosis in patients who experienced a TIA or ischemic stroke. Patients and Methods Ninety-two TIA/stroke patients (57 men, mean age 67.7±9.8 years) with ipsilateral <70% carotid stenosis underwent multisequence MRI of the plaque ipsilateral to the symptomatic side at baseline and after one year. For each plaque, several parameters were assessed at both time points. Results Carotid lumen, wall and total vessel ( = carotid lumen and wall) volume did not significantly change. Forty-four patients had a plaque with a lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) at baseline, of which 34 also had a LRNC after one year. In three patients a LRNC appeared after one year. Thirty patients had a plaque with a thin and/or ruptured fibrous cap (FC) at both time points. In seven patients, FC status changed from thin and/or ruptured into thick and intact. In three patients, FC status changed from thick and intact into thin and/or ruptured. Twenty patients had intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) at both time points. In four patients, IPH disappeared, whereas in three patients, new IPH appeared at follow-up. Conclusion In TIA/stroke patients, carotid plaque morphology does not significantly change over a one-year period. IPH and FC status change in a minority of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Kwee
- Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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