Evaluation Of The Surface Characteristics Of Carotid Plaque By Multi-dimensional MRI

Part 1:ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the surface characteristics and the internal characteristics of carotid plaques evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI.MethodsAccording to the characteristics of carotid plaque evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI,the patients were divided into two groups:irregularity of carotid plaque surface and regularity of carotid plaque surface.Independent sample t-test and chi square test were used to compare the difference between the internal characteristics of the two groups.Results99 patients were included,including 77 males(77.8%),22 females(22.2%),51patients(51.5%)with irregular carotid plaque surface,and 48 patients(48.5%)with regular carotid plaque surface.The patients with irregular plaque surface had larger average wall area(38.1±12.3mm~2 vs 32.8±7.5mm~2),average wall thickness(1.5±0.5mm vs 1.2±0.2mm)and standardized wall index(50.8%±9.3%vs 46.7%±6.3%)(P<0.05).The incidence of calcification(70.6%vs 47.9%),LRNC(84.3%vs 60.4%),IPH(43.1%vs 12.5%)and fiber cap rupture(21.6%vs 6.2%)was higher in patients with irregular plaque than in patients with regular plaque(P<0.05).The volume of LRNC(168.7±260.5mm~3vs 84.1±132.0mm~3)and the volume of IPH(59.6±136.9mm~3 vs 15.1±64.4mm~3)were larger in patients with irregular plaque than in patients with regular plaque(P<0.05).ConclusionThe surface morphology is related to the various internal characteristics of carotid plaques evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI,especially the irregular surface of carotid plaques determined by multi-dimensional MRI is significantly related to multiple vulnerable characteristics of plaques(LRNC,IPH,FCR).It is suggested that the irregular surface of carotid plaque assessed by multi-dimensional MRI may be the result of the comprehensive effect of multiple vulnerable characteristics of carotid plaque.Part 2:ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the irregular surface of carotid plaques evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI and ipsilateral anterior circulation ACI.MethodsAccording to the characteristics of brain MRI,patients were divided into ACI group and non ACI group.Independent sample t-test and chi square test were used to compare the differences between the plaque characteristics of the two groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the irregular surface of carotid plaque and ipsilateral ACI.ResultsA total of 91 patients were included,including 63 males(69.2%),28 females(30.8%),37 patients(40.7%)with ACI and 54 patients(59.3%)without ACI.Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the or value of ACI was 2.67(95%CI1.07-6.65,P=0.035)for single dimensional(axial)MRI and 7.02(95%CI 2.75-17.95,P<0.001)for multi-dimensional(axial+oblique)MRI.By using multivariate logistic regression analysis,it was found that,after excluding clinical factors and other characteristics of plaque,when judging whether ACI existed,the or value of plaque surface irregularity assessed by multi-dimensional MRI was higher than that assessed by single dimensional MRIConclusionThe irregular surface of carotid plaques evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI was significantly correlated with ACI of ipsilateral anterior circulation,and the irregular surface of carotid plaques evaluated by multi-dimensional MRI was an independent risk factor of ACI of ipsilateral anterior circulation.