Correlation of Carotid Plaque Neovascularization Detected by Using Contrast-enhanced US with Clinical Symptoms

Purpose: To determine the correlation between the degree of plaque enhancement with contrast agent microbubbles and clinical symptoms in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the hospital ethical committee, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. One hundred four patients (83 men: mean age, 64 years ± 9 [standard deviation]; 21 women: mean age, 61 years ± 10) with carotid plaques were studied with standard and contrast material–enhanced ultrasonography (US). Contrast enhancement in the plaque was evaluated with visual interpretation and quantitative analysis. Results: Among the 104 patients, 35 (34%) had transient ischemic attack and/or cerebrovascular ischemic stroke. Plaque enhancement was found in 28 (80%) of 35 symptomatic patients and in 21 (30%) of 69 asymptomatic patients (P < .001). Enhanced intensity in the plaque (13.9 dB ± 6.4) and the ratio of enhanced intensity in the plaque to that in the lumen of the carotid artery (0.54 ...