Magnetic Resonance Elastography for Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Evaluation: Prospective Cohort.

• Grant number: 23/07823-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Marcone Lima Sobreira
• Grantee: Cristiano Marciano Duarte
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western world, with carotid atherosclerotic disease being implicated in 11.5% of cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as the gold standard for assessing carotid plaque, aiding in risk stratification and patient selection for revascularization. However, comprehending plaque imaging through MRI requires an understanding of histopathological foundations. Enhancing MRI techniques is crucial for accurately characterizing atherosclerotic lesions, thereby influencing operative decisions.Objective: To correlate the stiffness of carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from shear elastography with patient epidemiological characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging features. Method: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was conducted on 43 patients treated at the Vascular Surgery Laboratory of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu (HC-FMB-UNESP) between the years 2023 and 2025. This was followed by patient interviews and chart analysis, with subsequent completion of a research protocol involving epidemiological and MRI data. The data were then tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis for the studied patients. Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Elastography, Carotid Atherosclerosis, Epidemiology, Diagnosis.