Characterization of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques with transcutaneous ultrasound

Abstract

Atherosclerotic plaques causing internal carotid artery stenoses with diastolic velocities exceeding 140 cm/s have a 20% chance of causing an embolic stroke. Currently, surgical removal of such plaques is recommended because the surgery reduces the chance of stroke by at least a factor of 2. 80% of those patients subject to the surgery have no benefit because they would remain stroke free without the surgery. Morphology of the carotid plaque may identify those patients who will stroke.