Preoperative magnetic resonance plaque imaging and carotid artery stenting: a review.

Unstable carotid plaques are associated with an increased incidence of embolic complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging assessment of the unstable components of carotid plaque such as intraplaque hemorrhage and the lipid-rich necrotic core has a high sensitivity and specificity and is capable of volumetric analysis. This is a review of the current understanding of the association between MR carotid plaque imaging and silent ischemic lesions or ischemic complications after CAS.