Abstract
Background and Objectives: Unstable atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries is one of the
main risk factors for cerebral ischemia. Duplex ultrasound is a frequently used diagnostic method,
but it has some limitations for microvascularization and neovascularization evaluation. The aim
of this review was to evaluate the role of the new multiparametric US method—contrast-enhanced
ultrasound (CEUS)—in atherosclerotic plaque instability verification. Materials and Methods: Original
studies, reviews, and meta-analyses were included in this article. A total of 53 studies were retrieved;
29 were included in this study. Results: Carotid artery CEUS as a part of the multiparametric
ultrasound method shows promising results and provides additional characteristics of soft- and
high-risk atherosclerotic plaques; it can be advised in clinical practice for patients with carotid artery
soft- and high-risk plaques. However, there are some limitations, such as extensive calcinosis with
important acoustic shadows in carotid atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization diagnostics by CEUS.
The added value of CEUS in the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque is that it indicates regions
with high neovascularization and visualizes ulcerations on plaque surfaces, suggestive of increased
instability risk.
main risk factors for cerebral ischemia. Duplex ultrasound is a frequently used diagnostic method,
but it has some limitations for microvascularization and neovascularization evaluation. The aim
of this review was to evaluate the role of the new multiparametric US method—contrast-enhanced
ultrasound (CEUS)—in atherosclerotic plaque instability verification. Materials and Methods: Original
studies, reviews, and meta-analyses were included in this article. A total of 53 studies were retrieved;
29 were included in this study. Results: Carotid artery CEUS as a part of the multiparametric
ultrasound method shows promising results and provides additional characteristics of soft- and
high-risk atherosclerotic plaques; it can be advised in clinical practice for patients with carotid artery
soft- and high-risk plaques. However, there are some limitations, such as extensive calcinosis with
important acoustic shadows in carotid atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization diagnostics by CEUS.
The added value of CEUS in the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque is that it indicates regions
with high neovascularization and visualizes ulcerations on plaque surfaces, suggestive of increased
instability risk.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 375 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-11 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Medicina (Kaunas) |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2024 |
Keywords*
- duplex Doppler ultrasonography
- CEUS
- unstable plaque
- stenosis
- neovascularization
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
Publication Type*
- 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database