Abstract:

Objective: To explore the ability of 3.0T dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) in identi-fying the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: From September 2016 to June 2017, 66 patients with carotid intima thickening ≥2 mm were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent vessel wall MR imaging (VW-MRI) and DCE-MRI. With the classification of plaques according to MRI-modified AHA Lesion-Type (LT), pharmacokine-tic parameters (PPs) of DCE-MRI were measured, including K^trans, k_ep, v_e and v_p. Correlations between PPs and LTs and the ability of these parameters to distinguish stable and vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI were assessed. Results: Signi-ficant positive correlation between K^trans and LT Ⅲ to Ⅵ was found (P=0.532, P<0.001), so as was the correlation between k_ep and LT Ⅲ to Ⅵ (P=0.409, P<0.001). Stable and vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI could potentially be distinguished by K^trans (sensitivity 83%, specificity 100%) and k_ep (sensitivity 77%, specificity 91%). Conclusions: K^trans and k_ep from DCE-MRI can provide quantitative information for the differentiation of vulnerable plaques suspected on MRI from stable ones. These two parameters could be adopted as imaging markers for plaque characterization and risk stratification.

Key words: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, Carotid atherosclerosis, Vulnerable plaque