TY - JOUR
T1 - Ultrasound Strain Imaging for Characterizing Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Carotid Arteries of Asymptomatic Subjects
AU - Hansen, Hendrik H.G.
AU - Bekkers, Alies H.M.
AU - van den Munckhof, Inge C.L.
AU - van der Kolk, Eveline
AU - Meijer, Frederick J.A.
AU - van der Graaf, Marinette
AU - Rutten, Joost H.W.
AU - de Korte, Chris L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors
PY - 2024/11/19
Y1 - 2024/11/19
N2 - Objective: The rupture of vulnerable plaques in the carotid artery is a leading cause of strokes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the standard for quantifying plaque composition, its high costs and lengthy procedure times limit large-scale use. Compound ultrasound strain imaging (CUSI) ultrasound offers a non-invasively alternative by assessing tissue deformation/strain within the arterial wall. Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between strain values and plaque composition, primarily focusing on longitudinal acquisitions, which only image the proximal and distal parts of the wall. This study examines CUSI in transverse imaging planes, which enables visualization of the entire cross-section of the vessel wall. CUSI has already been validated on a symptomatic population. Therefore, the aim is to determine whether CUSI can differentiate plaque composition in asymptomatic individuals with an increased cardiovascular risk profile, validated by MRI. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 42 plaques in 28 participants. Ultrasound data were acquired with a Samsung Medison Accuvix V10 with an L5-13IS transducer and RF-interface. An experienced neuroradiologist classified plaques with MRI using the Siemens 3.0T MAGNETOM Skyra MRI (Erlangen, Germany) with a dedicated coil. Strain differences were compared across four plaque categories (calcified, lipid, hemorrhagic, fibrous/aspecific) and for vulnerable versus stable plaques. Results: A difference in strain values was found between lipid and calcified plaques (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05). Additionally, vulnerable plaques exhibited higher strain values than stable plaques (independent samples test, p < 0.05). Conclusion: CUSI values differ between lipid and calcified and between stable and vulnerable plaques. Minor differences were found between the other plaque types.
AB - Objective: The rupture of vulnerable plaques in the carotid artery is a leading cause of strokes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the standard for quantifying plaque composition, its high costs and lengthy procedure times limit large-scale use. Compound ultrasound strain imaging (CUSI) ultrasound offers a non-invasively alternative by assessing tissue deformation/strain within the arterial wall. Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between strain values and plaque composition, primarily focusing on longitudinal acquisitions, which only image the proximal and distal parts of the wall. This study examines CUSI in transverse imaging planes, which enables visualization of the entire cross-section of the vessel wall. CUSI has already been validated on a symptomatic population. Therefore, the aim is to determine whether CUSI can differentiate plaque composition in asymptomatic individuals with an increased cardiovascular risk profile, validated by MRI. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 42 plaques in 28 participants. Ultrasound data were acquired with a Samsung Medison Accuvix V10 with an L5-13IS transducer and RF-interface. An experienced neuroradiologist classified plaques with MRI using the Siemens 3.0T MAGNETOM Skyra MRI (Erlangen, Germany) with a dedicated coil. Strain differences were compared across four plaque categories (calcified, lipid, hemorrhagic, fibrous/aspecific) and for vulnerable versus stable plaques. Results: A difference in strain values was found between lipid and calcified plaques (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05). Additionally, vulnerable plaques exhibited higher strain values than stable plaques (independent samples test, p < 0.05). Conclusion: CUSI values differ between lipid and calcified and between stable and vulnerable plaques. Minor differences were found between the other plaque types.
KW - Carotid plaque
KW - Compound ultrasound strain imaging
KW - Magnetic resonance
KW - Vulnerability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209674816&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.10.009
DO - 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.10.009
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85209674816
SN - 0301-5629
VL - 51
SP - 321
EP - 329
JO - Ultrasound in medicine and biology
JF - Ultrasound in medicine and biology
IS - 2
ER -