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Relationship between carotid plaque surface morphology and perfusion: a 3D DCE-MRI study

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Yuan, J 
Makris, G 
Patterson, A 
Usman, A 
Das, T 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the relationship between plaque surface morphology and neovascularization using a high temporal and spatial resolution 4D contrast-enhanced MRI/MRA sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty one patients with either recent symptoms or a carotid artery stenosis ≥40% were recruited in this study. Plaque surface morphology and luminal stenosis were determined from the arterial phase MRA images. Carotid neovascularization was evaluated by a previously validated pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach. K (trans) (transfer constant) and v p (partial plasma volume) were calculated in both the adventitia and plaque. RESULTS: Image acquisition and analysis was successfully performed in 28 arteries. Mean luminal stenosis was 44% (range 11-82%). Both adventitial and plaque K (trans) in ulcerated/irregular plaques were significantly higher than smooth plaques (0.079 ± 0.018 vs. 0.064 ± 0.011 min(-1), p = 0.02; 0.065 ± 0.013 vs. 0.055 ± 0.010 min(-1), p = 0.03, respectively). Positive correlations between adventitial K (trans) and v p against stenosis were observed (r = 0.44, p = 0.02; r = 0.55, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a single sequence to acquire both high resolution 4D CE-MRA and DCE-MRI to evaluate both plaque surface morphology and function. The results demonstrate significant relationships between lumen surface morphology and neovascularization.

Description

Keywords

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque, Contrast enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA), Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), Neovascularization, Plaque ulceration

Journal Title

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology, and Medicine

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0968-5243
1352-8661

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer Nature
Sponsorship
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (unknown)
The project was supported by the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and the NIHR comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre award to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Cambridge.