Contrast ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery vasa vasorum and atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization.

Cardiovascular disease is associated with the aging of the population, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to develop non-invasive imaging systems to detect "at-risk" populations. New data suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CU) imaging of the carotid arteries enhances luminal irregularities (i.e., ulcers and plaques), improves near-wall, carotid intima-media thickness, and uniquely permits direct, real-time visualization of neovasculature of the atherosclerotic plaque and associated adventitial vasa vasorum. With continued clinical investigation, CU imaging of the carotid artery may afford an effective means to non-invasively identify atherosclerosis in "at-risk" populations while providing new standard for therapeutic monitoring.