EVOLVING THROMBOTIC AND EMBOLIC POTENTIAL OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS

Authors
Citation
Pj. Touboul, EVOLVING THROMBOTIC AND EMBOLIC POTENTIAL OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS, Cerebrovascular diseases, 4, 1994, pp. 8-11
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiac & Cardiovascular System",Neurosciences,"Peripheal Vascular Diseas
Journal title
ISSN journal
10159770
Volume
4
Year of publication
1994
Supplement
4
Pages
8 - 11
Database
ISI
SICI code
1015-9770(1994)4:<8:ETAEPO>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
Atherosclerotic lesions are responsible for about 10% of ischemic stro kes. However, the evolving thrombotic and embolic potential of these l esions remains difficult to evaluate. Pathology studies and ultrasonog raphy have contributed to the study of the complications of atheroscle rotic plaques at the origin of the internal carotid artery (hemorrhage , ulceration, necrosis, and the degree of stenosis). Moreover, improve ment of ultrasound examination of intracranial arteries allows the det ection of emboli which could be markers of ulceration. Considering pat hologic, angiographic, ultrasonographic and clinical studies, only tig ht stenoses have been shown to have a high thromboembolic potential. T he risk is further increased when the stenosis is ulcerated, progressi ve, has an intraluminal thrombus, or when it is the source of emboli d etected by transcranial Doppler. Apart from this stroke risk, an incre ased general risk of vascular mortality and heart morbidity is present in this population. Increased intima plus media thickness of the comm on carotid artery, quantified by B-mode sonography, has been shown to be a good predictor of ischemic events. Further improvements in noninv asive methods will more precisely define the evolution of atherosclero tic plaques and their link with the risk of stroke, especially for low -degree stenosis.