Spotty Carotid Plaques Are Associated with Inflammation and the Occurrence of Cerebrovascular Symptoms

摘要

BackgroundEcholucent carotid plaques have been related to an increased risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a new objective ultrasonographic parameter, the statistical geometric feature (SGF), reflecting spottiness of carotid plaques, can be associated with cerebrovascular symptoms and with a rupture-prone plaque phenotype.