G. Orlandi et al., CAROTID PLAQUE FEATURES ON ANGIOGRAPHY AND ASYMPTOMATIC CEREBRAL MICROEMBOLISM, Acta neurologica Scandinavica, 96(3), 1997, pp. 183-186
We studied 110 carotid arteries of 55 patients with unilateral or bila
teral carotid stenosis diagnosed with selective angiography, by using
Transcranial Doppler to detect high intensity transient signals (HITS)
in the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). HITS identified as embolic si
gnals were prevalent (P < 0.05) in the MCAs on the same side as severe
(70-99%) stenosis (22 of 51 = 43.1%) compared to moderate (30-69%) st
enosis (5 of 37 = 13.5%). No HITS were observed in the MCA on the same
side as normal control carotid arteries (n = 17) [occluded arteries (
n = 5) were not considered]. HITS were more prevalent (P < 0.05) in th
e MCAs on the same side as ulcerated plaques (14 of 23 = 60.9%) compar
ed to non-ulcerated plaques (13 of 65 = 20%), and all moderate stenose
s producing HITS presented ulceration of the plaque. Ulcerated plaque
groups showed a higher mean number of HITS than non-ulcerated plaque g
roups and no significant difference was noted between moderate and sev
ere stenosis, between superficial or deep ulcerations and between ulce
rations with flap or without flap. Therefore, severe carotid stenosis
and moderate stenosis with plaque ulceration result in angiographic fi
ndings most frequently associated with HITS. Further studies are neces
sary to evaluate the clinical significance of this finding.