Carotid Plaque Composition and the Importance of Non-Invasive in Imaging Stroke Prevention.

Luminal stenosis has been the standard feature for the current management strategies in patients with atherosclerotic carotid disease. Histological and imaging studies show considerable differences between plaques with identical degrees of stenosis. They indicate that specific plaque characteristics like Intraplaque hemorrhage, Lipid Rich Necrotic Core, Plaque Inflammation, Thickness and Ulceration are responsible for the increased risk of ischemic events. Intraplaque hemorrhage is defined by the accumulation of blood components within the plaque, Lipid Rich Necrotic Core is composed of macrophages loaded with lipid, Plaque Inflammation is defined as the process of atherosclerosis itself and Plaque thickness and Ulceration are defined as morphological features. Advances in imaging methods like Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasound, Computed Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography have enabled a more detailed characterization of the plaque, and its vulnerability is linked to these characteristics, changing the management of these patients based only on the degree of plaque stenosis. Studies like Rotterdam, ARIC, PARISK, CAPIAS and BIOVASC were essential to evaluate and prove the relevance of these characteristics with cerebrovascular symptoms. A better approach for the prevention of stroke is needed. This review summarizes the more frequent carotid plaque features and the available validation from recent studies with the latest evidence.

Introduction

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. More than 12 million people have a stroke annually, of which more than 6 million die as a result of the event (1–3). The atherosclerotic carotid disease accounts for 10–15% of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) cases. It usually occurs at the carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA) (1). Vessel stenosis is the main parameter for classifying and stratifying the disease and is adopted by the main guidelines to determine surgical intervention. However, recent evidence suggests that specific plaque features may be more directly associated with stroke than just stenosis. The study of the vessel and plaque is the current target of several researchers. This change of focus reveals its importance for primary and secondary stroke prevention (4).

These observations were previously made in the coronary territory where non-contrast cardiac computed tomography is routinely performed for risk stratification in primary prevention, to quantify coronary artery calcification as an imaging test of subclinical atherosclerosis. The assessment of coronary inflammation represents, as in carotid disease, a new aspect in the assessment of coronary artery disease resulting in an improvement in the prediction, discrimination and reclassification of all causes and cardiac mortality. Analysis of plaque extent, plaque composition, and inflammation has the potential to establish a more accurate risk prediction compared to coronary calcium score assessed by non-contrast cardiac CT (5).

In the first part of this review, we recall the current features of carotid plaques vulnerability, the best imaging methods, and its characteristics for the assessment. In the second part, we discuss the predictive value of plaque imaging in primary and secondary prevention, linking plaque characteristics and their role in clinical decision-making.

Plaque Characteristics

Intraplaque Hemorrhage

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is considered a major predictor of patient symptoms from carotid plaque (Figures 1A,B) (6). The atheroma neovascularization is immature (7). There is a difference observed between the neovessels in the external part of the media and the neovessels which reach the plaque (8). The development and maturation of normal neovascularisation seems to be impaired by a proteolytic environment within the plaque (9). IPH is the fundamental process for plaque growth in more advanced atherosclerotic plaque stages (10).

Figure 1

Plaque Characteristics. Schematic figure illustrating intraplaque hemorrhage (A), MRI on a 3 Tesla scanner (B); white arrow), The axial T1 turbo spin-echo with fat saturation image post gadolinium shows a pronounced LRNC covered by an intact fibrous cap (C); white arrow), Schematic figure illustrating a pronounced LRNC (**) covered by an intact fibrous cap (*) (D), Schematic figure illustrating a pronounced bulky plaque (E); black arrows), 3D ultrasound volume analysis (F), surface morphology, image obtained by CT (G), Schematic figure illustrating plaque rupture with an ulceration (H); black arrow). LRNC, lipid-rich necrotic core; MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging; CT,Computed Tomography.

In a recent systematic review, the hazard ratio (HR) of 7.14 was the highest in the presence of IPH in recurrent Stroke/Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) compared to other plaque characteristics such as lipid-rich necrotic core and fibrous cap rupture (11). In another systematic review focusing on stenosis <50% in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined cause, the prevalence of IPH in the ipsilateral carotid was 24.4% (95% CI 17.9 to 31.5) compared to 0.6% (95% CI 0.0 to 3.7) in the contralateral carotid (12).

Schindler et al. showed in a recent published meta-analysis that IPH increased the risk of future ipsilateral stroke in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis, with HRs of 10.2 and 7.9, respectively (13).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging technique to atherosclerotic plaque characterization, specially IPH (Figure 1B) (14–16). Computed tomography (CT) can overestimate the disease in heavily calcified lesions, besides being difficult to differentiate between fibrous, lipid, and intraplaque hemorrhage (17).

Fibrous Cap and Lipid-Rich Necrotic Core

The fibrous cap (FC) separates the Lipid Rich Necrotic Core (LRNC) from the vessel lumen (Figures 1C,D). It is composed of muscle cells, macrophages, foam cells, lymphocytes, collagen, and elastin (18). FC rupture exposes the necrotic core to blood resulting in cerebral microembolization (19).

In vulnerable plaques, it is observed that a thin FC enfolds a large LRNC containing mainly inflammatory cells and macrophages (20).

Plaque Inflammation/ Neovascularisation

Inflammation is a pathogenic event characterized by several structural changes in the vessel wall. In this process, fundamental steps are observed like endothelial dysfunction, macrophage activation and migration, oxidative stress, lipid deposition, proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells and formation of neovessels within the plaque. (7) Neovascularization increases the local flow of nutrients and O2 promoting plaque growth. The incomplete maturation of these neovessels associated with fragility promotes IPH leaving the plaque vulnerable and prone to rupture (21).

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows an objective analysis of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation (Additional File) (22). In the early phase, after contrast administration, the neovessels of the atherosclerotic plaque are filled with blood, and the intact microspheres amplify their echo. In the late phase of contrast injection, juxtaluminal black areas (JBA) can be observed and distinguished, which are very hypoechoic areas without a fibrous cap with fragments of lipid core in ruptured plaques with echogenicity lower than 25 gray-scale median (GSM) units (Additional File) (23).

Previous studies using either CEUS or dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging have demonstrated associations between imaging measurements of neovessels and recent symptoms. Both methods are validated non-invasive techniques for in vivo imaging of neo-vessels (24, 25). Van den Oord et al. estimated the Cardiovascular risk of recruited patients by calculating the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster Heart Study (PROCAM) risk. Carotid CEUS was performed in these patients. Interestingly, CEUS changed the risk category in practically all asymptomatic patients previously classified by the traditional risk stratification model (26).

MRI has demonstrated its importance in the detailed characterization of the carotid plaque. Other imaging methods are being used to search for more careful definition. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) may be an alternative technique to identify a plaque with inflammation (27). Tawakol et al. firstly found histological association of plaque inflammation with the degree of 18F-FDG uptake (28). The abundance of inflammatory cells is observed in the highly inflamed vulnerable plaque. FDG is a glucose analog taken up by inflammatory cells. A more significant accumulation of FDG is observed with higher metabolic activity (27). More recently, another commonly employed radiotracer, NaF, is being used due to its affinity to hydroxyapatite. More extensive calcium deposits can be easily observed with CT; however, micro-calcifications are not. NaF accumulates in areas of active micro-calcification within the atheroma. An interesting feature is that 18F-NaF uptake does not overlap with macrocalcifications as seen on CT (29).

Skagen et al. demonstrated that 18F-FDG uptake on PET/CT was higher in patients with symptomatic compared with asymptomatic carotid artery plaques (30).

Fujimoto et al. in a recent publication demonstrated that 18F Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake was associated with the severity of ischemic vascular brain disease on MRI, suggesting its possible use in the risk classification of cerebrovascular disease (31).

Carotid Plaque Thickness

The plaque thickness is a feature of plaque vulnerability being associated with the size and volume of the plaque (Figure 1E) (32). It is well quantifiable with ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Zhao X et al. observed that wall thickness was found to be a stronger feature when compared to stenosis for high risk carotid plaques, already observed and published by the same author in 2011 analyzing stenosis, percentage of wall volume (PWV) and mean wall thickness (33). The possible explanation is positive remodeling of the plaque. The outward expansion of the outer wall boundary would preserve the vessel lumen. In other words, wall thickness may be an important feature for screening of high-risk plaques composition (34).

Recently, Ball S. et al. published a study using a technology called tomographic ultrasound (tUS) (Figure 1F) (35). It consist of a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system with a spacial tracker (Piur, Wien, Austria) Multiplanar reconstructions are computed to produce 3D ultrasound volumes. It showed to be an accurate method with all the advantages of ultrasound.

Carotid Plaque Surface (Ulceration)

High-risk carotid plaques are not only characterized by its compositional features but also by the irregularity of the plaque surface (36). Ulceration is defined as a discontinuous fibrous cap with an excavated necrotic core. (Figures 1G,H) (8) Jin Li et al. found a direct association between irregular plaque surface and carotid plaque features, such as LRNC, IPH, stenosis, and maximum wall thickness (37).

Homburg et al. demonstrated an association between plaque composition and volume with plaque ulceration and ischemic stroke patients independently of the degree of the carotid plaque stenosis (38).

IPH, apparently, increase inflammation resulting in irregular plaque surface. Hamada et al. validated plaque ulceration assessed by CEUS with histology analysis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy confirming CEUS's high sensitivity for identifying plaque ulceration and fibrous cap disruption (39).

Discussion

Prediction of Primary Stroke

The occurrence of a carotid plaque rupture is independent of the degree of stenosis and the plaque features described above are related to (40).

In a recent meta-analysis of 64 studies enrolling 20,751 asymptomatic participants, the authors observed that the incidence of ipsilateral ischemic events was higher in patients with high-risk features than in those without high-risk features with a corresponding OR of 3.0. (12). In another meta-analysis of 8 studies, the presence of IPH at baseline was associated with a 6-fold higher risk of cerebrovascular events, with an annualized event rate of 17.7% compared with 2.43% in patients with no IPH (41). Schindler et al., comparing the risk of stroke between patients with and without the presence of IPH on MRI, observed 5.4% event rates among patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis in those with IPH vs. 0.8% in those without IPH (13). These facts suggest that carotid IPH might be a fundamental biomarker of clinical ischemic events.

IPH is detected as a high signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging. In a study with 1,190 patients, carotid T1-high-intense plaque was at higher risk of a subsequent cerebrovascular ischemic event suggesting that carotid IPH might contribute to the risk stratification of a future ischemic event (42). Adding to that affirmative, Bos D et al., in a large population-based sample of asymptomatic individuals, associate IPH with new-onset stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of other plaque characteristics (43). Patients with IPH are prone to develop two times more stroke or coronary heart disease (CHD) within 5 years. Their findings showed that even in asymptomatic individuals with low-grade stenosis, IPH is crucial for developing a first-ever stroke.

Prediciton of Secondary Stroke

The majority of recurrences occur within 1 year and in the same anatomic region as the first stroke (44). Especially in patients with high-grade (70–99%) timely intervention can prevent recurrent ischemic stroke (45).

Two major trials, the European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) and the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET), provided the vascular community in the early '90s with information regarding symptomatic patients. They showed that benefit from surgery was more significant in men than in women and in the elderly, and benefit decreased with time since the last symptoms. These observations were consistent across the 50% to 69%, and 70% to 99% stenosis groups and the two trials. These subgroup observations were sufficiently robust to guide the use of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in routine clinical practice (46, 47).

Schindler A et al. showed an HRs of 10.2 for future ipsilateral stroke patients with symptomatic stenosis and 7.9 in patients with asymptomatic stenosis when IPH was characterized. In symptomatic patients, IPH demonstrated an increased risk of stroke at any degree of stenosis, even among patients with plaques <50% of stenosis (13).

With improved imaging methods, identifying patients with a higher risk of stroke may benefit the selection for CEA, allowing surgery to be indicated in patients with the highest benefit. Based on observed HRs on multivariable Cox regression in recently symptomatic patients with carotid stenosis, Kelly PJ et al. derived the SCAIL (symptomatic carotid atheroma inflammation lumen-stenosis) score by assigning points based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake and stenosis severity, further discussed (48).

Latest Studies Result on Vulnerable Carotid Plaques

Current studies and research groups aim to establish a relation between plaque vulnerability biomarkers, showing that identifying vulnerable carotid plaques with MRI helps predict ischemic stroke (Table 1).

Table 1

Imaging studies analyzing carotid plaque components and morphology on cerebrovascular risk in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Study	Imaging method	Variable analyzed	Central conclusion
Rotterdam Study	MRI	IPH, LRNC	The size of IPH and not the presence of a lipid core was associated with symptomatic plaques in patients with recent ischemic event
ARIC Study	MRI	PT, LRNC	The presence of a lipid core was independently associated with incident CVD events when adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors and maximum CA wall thickness
Magnetic Study	MRI	IPH, FC, LRNC	Plaque composition in patients on treatment for asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis shows no correlation between plaque vulnerability and the most well-controlled modifiable RF. Optimized therapy might have altered the association.
PARISK Study	MRI	IPH	The association between Lp(a) concentration and IPH supports the hypothesis that Lp(a) has a role in the process of atherosclerosis
CAPIAS Study	MRI	IPH, FC, LRNC	IPH, a ruptured FC, or the presence of a mural thrombus, was more frequent ipsilateral to ischemic stroke compared with that of the contralateral side
BIOVASC	PET/CT	18F-FDG uptake	Plaque 18F-FDG uptake was associated with early recurrent stroke in patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis.

MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging; US, Ultrasound; IPH, intraplaque haemorrhage; LRNC, lipid-rich necrotic core; PT, plaque thickness; FC, fibrous cap; RF, risk factor; Lp, Lipoprotein; .

MRI currently provides the most proper imaging technique to specify lumen stenosis and features of plaque vulnerability, accurately assessing LRNC, FC, IPH, calcification, and plaque surface. This imaging technique has been used in almost every trial (49).

In the Rotterdam study, Van den Bouwhuijsen et al. showed a correlation between hypertension, current smoking, and presence of IPH and between hypercholesterolemia and LRNC in asymptomatic patients (50). They also showed a correlation of IPH and cortical infarcts. The size of IPH and not the presence of a lipid core was associated with symptomatic plaques in patients with recent ischemic event (51).

The ARIC Study also observed that carotid artery plaque burden and plaque eccentricity measures were directly associated with atherogenic cholesterol content. Their results suggested that measures of plaque burden could be use to control disease progression during the usage of therapies that lower atherogenic lipids. In contrast, LRNC could be an interesting imaging feature to follow (52).

Wasserman et al. previously already observed in the first study of associations between plaque lipid core and cardiovascular risk factors, the MESA study, a strong association with plasma cholesterol but not with hypertension, smoking, diabetes, or inflammatory factors, deducing that non-High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), which includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and Lipoproteins (Lp), may be of prime importance for the development of the clinically significant lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaque (53).

The MAGNETIC Study found no association between vulnerable plaque features and a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. The authors speculate that optimizing medical therapy and a healthier lifestyle might have altered the association between plaque vulnerability and risk factors. A critical limit in this study concerns the absence of information on how long patients have been receiving treatment on atherosclerosis at the enrollment. This information could be used for a better understanding of medical therapy impact and lifestyle on plaque vulnerability (54).

The same rationale of a progression from vulnerable plaques to more stable plaques, both in carotid arteries, has been recently observed in the HeCES Study, published by Nuotio et al. In 10 years follow up, plaques related to ischemic event reveal more fibrous and non-inflammatory characteristics when compared to the initial features, due to lifestyle changes and effects of statins (55).

In the PARISK study, in patients with recent TIA or minor ischemic stroke, novel associations between (Lp)(a), concentrations and plaque features were identified. In women, elevated plasma Lp(a) levels were associated with higher prevalence of IPH and in men, elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with a higher degree of stenosis. The association between Lp(a) concentration and these vulnerable plaque characteristics supports the hypothesis that Lp(a) has a role in the process of atherosclerosis (56).

The CAPIAS prospective Study was a multicenter study with plaque imaging obtained within 10 days after symptom onset. The most frequent feature of ipsilateral carotid plaque was IPH. Ipsilateral LRNCs, a feature that is not part of the American Heart Association–lesion type definition, were larger in cryptogenic stroke compared with the reference group (57).

In a recently published cohort study by Kelly PJ et al., the Biomarkers/Imaging Vulnerable Atherosclerosis in Symptomatic Carotid disease Study (BIOVASC), patients with carotid stenosis and recent stroke/(TIA) were followed up, being the primary outcome any non-procedural ipsilateral recurrent stroke within 90 days of the index stroke/TIA. One hundred and nine patients were recruited into BIOVASC and had positron emission tomography (PET)/CT completed. In patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis. Plaque 18F-FDG uptake was associated with early recurrent stroke in patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis. They showed for the first time that plaque FDG uptake independently predicts early stroke after PET. This finding suggests that higher plaque FDG uptake is a marker of vulnerable carotid plaque leading to stroke recurrence and not a secondary consequence of recurrent brain infarction (58). These results led to a novel score called SCAIL Score.

Symptomatic Carotid Atheroma Inflammation Lumen Stenosis Score (SCAIL)

This recently published model for estimating the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke included 18F-FDG standardized uptake values on PET-CT as a parameter for plaque inflammation. (48) Uptake of radiolabeled 18F-FDG on PET is a validated marker for plaque metabolism caused by inflammation and is associated with markers of plaque instability and late clinical events (59).

This model categorized 18F-FDG uptake and stenosis. On multivariable analysis, the SCAIL score independently predicted recurrent stroke after PET imaging, in addition to its association with all recurrent stroke events before or after PET. This suggests that early 18F-FDG-PET after hospital presentation may have prognostic utility to identify high-risk patients with carotid stenosis. It was shown for the first time that incorporating information relating to plaque inflammation-related metabolism and lumen stenosis in a single measure identifies patients at the highest risk of early recurrent stroke.

Perspectives

The big challenge remains in defining, among the many plaque features, those that are pivotal for the optimized treatment. Big imaging data acquisition associated with artificial intelligence analysis is leading this field of research to a higher level.

The development of a score system based on imaging features of plaque vulnerability may provide clinicians with a better tool to approach the disease.

Author Contributions

MG and RF contributed to the conception and design of the review. MG, RF, MS, and CF wrote the first draft of the manuscript. MG, RF, MS, WA, CF, SS, and AG wrote sections of the manuscript. All authors contributed to manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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