Study Comparing Shear Wave Elastography and Other Imaging Methods to Assess Carotid Artery Plaque Stiffness in Patients with Significant Carotid Narrowing

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the stiffness of carotid atherosclerotic plaques using shear wave elastography SWE compared to greyscale median values GSM, magnetic resonance imaging MRI, and histopathological findings. The study includes patients with carotid plaques causing stenosis over 50%, whether symptomatic or not, to determine if plaque stiffness is related to other imaging or pathological measures. Participants undergo vascular ultrasound exams where SWE and GSM are measured. MRI is used to confirm stenosis severity. Those with symptomatic stenosis above 50% or asymptomatic stenosis above 70% may be considered for surgical treatments such as endarterectomy or angioplasty. If surgery is performed, plaque tissue is analyzed histopathologically. The study does not influence treatment decisions. During the study, participants have ultrasound and MRI imaging, with some undergoing surgery and tissue examination. Researchers measure plaque stiffness, greyscale values, MRI indicators of plaque instability, and histopathological features if surgery occurs. Additional outcomes include plaque surface, location, fibrotic cap, echolucent areas, echogenicity, ulceration, and blood flow velocities. The study follows participants for an average of two years to collect these diagnostic data.

Shear Wave Elastography for Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques