Robert Kwee1, Robert
van Oostenbrugge2, Werner Mess2, Rob van der Geest3,
Johannes ter Berg4, Cees Franke5, Arthur Korten6,
B Meems7, Jos van Engelshoven2, Joachim Wildberger2,
Eline Kooi2
1Maastricht
University Medical Center, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands; 2Maastricht
University Medical Center, Netherlands; 3Leiden University Medical
Center; 4Orbis Medical Center Sittard, Netherlands; 5Atrium
Medical Center Parkstad Heerlen, Netherlands; 6Laurentius Hospital
Roermond, Netherlands; 7VieCuri Medical Center Venlo, Netherlands
The results of this first study from mainland Europe suggest that the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage, larger lipid-rich necrotic core volume, and larger maximum vessel wall thickness of carotid plaques are associated with the recurrence of clinical cerebrovascular ischemic events. It confirms previous studies that intraplaque hemorrhage may predict future TIA or stroke. Assessment of carotid plaque characteristics by MRI may help improving patient selection for carotid endarterectomy.