Contrast Carotid Ultrasound for the Detection of Unstable Plaques with Neoangiogenesis: A Pilot Study

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether contrast ultrasonography can be used to distinguish asymptomatic from symptomatic carotid plaques and provide insight into underlying pathophysiological differences.DesignContrast Carotid ultrasound was performed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients referred for carotid endarterectomy.Materials and methodsOf 77 consecutive patients referred for carotid artery evaluation, 64 underwent carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease and 9 underwent urgent surgery for acute neurological deficits with hemiparesis. The endarterectomy specimens were assessed immunohistologically.ResultsIn all 9 patients undergoing urgent surgery, contrast ultrasonography showed the accumulation of diffuse microbubble contrast at the base of the carotid plaque. This pattern was observed only in 1/64 of the patients undergoing surgery for asymptomatic carotid disease. Immunohistologically staining of the endarterectomy specimens showed that the area of microbubble contrast at the base of the symptomatic plaques was associated with an increased number of small diameter (20–30 μm) microvessels staining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).ConclusionsContrast carotid ultrasonography may allow the identification of microvessels with neoangiogenesis at the base of carotid plaques, and differentiate symptomatic from asymptomatic plaques.