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Updated: May 20, 2026

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
09:36

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: August 12, 2025

Association between asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis and degenerative aortic stenosis

Giuseppina Novo1, Francesco Paolo Guarneri, Giovanni Ferro

  • 1Division of Cardiology, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro n.129, C.A.P. 90127 Palermo, Italy.

Atherosclerosis
|July 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Degenerative aortic stenosis is linked to carotid atherosclerosis, with stenosis severity correlating to increased plaque thickness. This supports the "atherosclerosis-like" disease hypothesis and suggests ultrasound for risk stratification.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Degenerative aortic stenosis shares similarities with atherosclerosis.
  • Investigating the link between aortic stenosis and carotid atherosclerosis is crucial for understanding shared pathogenetic mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm the hypothesis that aortic stenosis is an "atherosclerosis-like" disease.
  • To investigate the association between degenerative aortic stenosis and atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 270 patients: 135 with degenerative aortic stenosis and 135 controls.
  • Utilized echocardiography and ultrasound scans of supra-aortic trunks to assess carotid plaque and intima-media thickening (IMT).

Main Results:

  • Carotid atherosclerosis (IMT and plaque) was significantly more frequent in patients with aortic stenosis (95.5%) compared to controls (66.6%).
  • A significant association was found between aortic stenosis and degenerative carotid plaque (OR = 3.13).
  • A linear correlation was observed between trans-aortic peak velocity and carotid plaque thickness (R=0.15) and IMT (R=0.53).

Conclusions:

  • Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with degenerative aortic stenosis.
  • The severity of aortic stenosis correlates with increased carotid plaque thickness and IMT.
  • Findings support the "atherosclerosis-like" hypothesis for aortic stenosis and highlight ultrasound's role in risk stratification.
Abstract

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