Detecting diseased carotid arteries likely to cause stroke

The build up of fatty deposits in the main artery between the heart and the brain (carotid artery) causes diseased carotid arteries which are the cause of 20-30 per cent of ischaemic strokes. Unfortunately diseased carotid arteries cannot always be identified by a clinical examination and therefore a more accurate method for their detection is required.

This study aims to establish whether a simple and non-invasive imaging procedure, Magnetic Resonance Direct Thrombus Imaging, can distinguish between disease in carotid arteries that is highly likely to cause a stroke, and disease that is not. The findings will help identify patients who will benefit from stroke preventative surgery.
Patients who are already due to receive a routine operation to remove the diseased lining of the carotid artery will be given the Magnetic Resonance Direct Thrombus Imaging test prior to surgery. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the imaging, the results of the test will be compared with the evidence of carotid artery disease observed during surgery, and subsequent laboratory analysis of the tissue.

Scientific Title: Validation of magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging as a surrogate marker of the unstable carotid plaque.

With thanks to the Bryan Guiness Charitable Trust and the TR Golden Charitable Trust for supporting this award.

Classification:
Prevention, Imaging

Publications:

L Daniels, N Altaf, AR Moody, J Gladman. Magnetic resonance direct thrombus imaging in moderate carotid artery stenosis. Stroke. 2006; 37(3):767-8

N Altaf, L Daniels, P Morgan, J Lowe, J Gladman, S MacSweeney, A Moody, D Auer. White matter lesions are associated with the unstable plaque. European Journal fo Endovascular Surgery. 2006; 31:8-13

L Daniels, N Altaf, PS Morgan, ST MacSweeney, AR Moody, DP Auer, J Gladman. Natural history of complex plaque in the carotid arteries of symptomatic patients with moderate carotid stenosis using MRDTI. Cerebrovascular Diseases 19(S2): 22

N Altaf, L Daniels, A Beech, P Morgan, J Gladman, ST MacSweeney, AR Moody, D Auer. Magnetic Resonance Thrombus Imaging of the carotid plaque is associated with increased thromboembolization. Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med. 2005; 13:110

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