Abstract:
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Purpose: Inflammation may contribute to destabilize vulnerable plaques in acute coronary syndromes. Systemic inflammatory factors could be related with widespread plaque activity in other vascular districts. We evaluated plaque inflammation MRI signs in carotid arteries of pts with unstable angina (UA), related to serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).
Methods and Materials: Eighteen pts with carotid plaques, 12 with UA (mean age:67) and 6 with stable angina (mean age: 69) underwent carotid arteries MRI (1.5 T Signa Horizon Echospeed GE scanner), with SE, FSE and black blood FSE sequences, before and after Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd) iv. administration (0.2 ml/Kg). We considered 3 markers of inflammation: 1) wall thickening, index of arterial wall edema and/or infiltration; 2) increased T2 and/or FSE-STIR signal intensity (SI), index of arterial wall and/or plaque edema; 3) arterial wall and/or plaque enhancement, index of increased capillary permeability. Totally 24 plaques were imaged (12 patients with monolateral and 6 with bilateral stenosis). CRP levels were determined with the ELISA essay.
Results: Twelve plaques showed wall thickening and/or increased T2 and/or FSE-STIR SI and Gd enhancement, 3 plaques only showed enhancement, whereas 9 plaques had no inflammation signs. CRP levels of patients with enhanced plaques were significantly higher than those of patients without enhancement (median values: 12,5 vs 3,3, p<0,05).
Conclusion: Patients with UA exhibit carotid plaque inflammation signs more frequently than controls; patients with UA and inflammation signs show higher CRP levels than pts with UA and no inflammation signs. Our results suggest a widespread plaque activity, possibly mediated by systemic inflammation, in acute coronary syndromes.
Questions about this event email: lnatale@rm.unicatt.it
Natale MD, L,
MRI Inflammation Signs within Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques in Patients with Unstable Angina. Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3103666.html
