Diagnostic value of ultrasound and shear wave elastography in carotid plaque risk stratification

Atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid bifurcation is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, one of the most frequent causes of death and a leading cause of disability worldwide.

The aim of our study was to identify differences in atherosclerotic plaque elasticity (measured using shear wave elastography-SWE) and plaque echogenicity among symptomatic and asymptomatic groups.

Fifty-eight patients with carotid plaques were enrolled in our study. Plaque echogenicity and shear wave elastography assessments given as kilopascals (kPa), were measured.

Plaques from the symptomatic group were predominantly less echogenic and the shear wave elastography values were significantly lower than those in the asymptomatic group. The mean plaque Young's Modulus (YM) of the symptomatic group was 34.23 kPa (kilo pascal) (SD = 22.3 kPa) compared to 64.84 kPa (SD = 35.00 kPa) in the asymptomatic group with P value of < 0.001.

Shear wave elastography is a helpful tool in quantifying elasticity of the carotid plaques and can help to identify the unstable plaque, which would help in proper patient management.