Noninvasive imaging of atheromatous carotid plaques

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Radiology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Atherothrombosis is a systemic arterial disease impacting major vessels like the aorta and carotid arteries.
• Unstable atheromatous plaques are primary causes of severe complications, including stroke and myocardial infarction.
• Understanding plaque characteristics is vital for managing disease progression and selecting effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review noninvasive imaging techniques for assessing carotid atheromatous plaques.
• To highlight the role of plaque imaging in understanding atherothrombosis.
• To provide insights into morphological and functional plaque evaluation in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of current noninvasive imaging modalities used in clinical settings.
• Focus on techniques for morphological assessment of carotid plaques.
• Emphasis on methods for functional evaluation of atheromatous plaques.

Main Results:

• Noninvasive imaging offers valuable insights into carotid plaque morphology.
• Functional assessment via imaging aids in identifying plaque instability.
• Current techniques enable detailed evaluation of plaques in the clinical setting.

Conclusions:

• Noninvasive plaque imaging is essential for managing atherothrombosis.
• Morphological and functional assessment of carotid plaques guides therapeutic decisions.
• Advancements in imaging are critical for improving patient outcomes in atherothrombosis.