The possibility that inflammation could represent an index of plaque vulnerability has brought the scientific interest to concentrate on imaging “in vivo” the pathophysiological “functional” status of the atheroma with the goal to identify, as early as possible, the more vulnerable ones, to adopt the adequate preventive strategy. RO4929097 For this reason, several conventional radiological imaging, such as Computerized Tomography Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Angiography and also 18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography have focused on the evaluation of the “plaque metabolic

activity”, but – up to date – this is an evolving methodology requiring further consensus [20]. Contrast carotid ultrasound (CCU) is nowadays a well-established tool for angiogenesis detection in several fields with the principal advantage of being a simple, low cost and minimally AZD5363 in vitro invasive technique. Since the first data of 2006, several papers have now described the possibility to identify adventitial vasa vasorum and neovascularization also in carotid plaques [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38],

[39] and [40], with a specific pattern of vascularization in acute symptomatic lesions [41]. Aim of this paper is to describe the methodology and the efficacy of contrast carotid ultrasound to identify plaque vascularization and to discuss the related clinical implications. Our experience is based on patients with carotid stenosis electively referred to our ultrasound laboratory for contrast ultrasound investigation [23], [27], Cell press [28] and [41] and from still ongoing data. The population consists of both asymptomatic patients, referred for vascular screening, as well as by symptomatic stroke patients. Plaques of different morphologies and various degree of stenosis have been

investigated. According to the specific indications and guidelines for carotid endarterectomy, symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with a severe degree of stenosis were operated and histological/samples confronted with the ultrasonographic findings. Ultrasound carotid duplex scanning were performed with Acuson/Siemens Sequoia 512 and Siemens S2000 systems, with standard vascular presets, and equipped with contrast multi-pulse non-harmonic imaging software “Cadence contrast Pulse Sequencing” (CPS) technology. Linear phased array probes (6, 8 and 15 MHz for the Sequoia, 9L4 for S2000) with standard presettings were used. The same machine presets were maintained constant. The technique of investigation is also reported in other published papers on this topic from our group [23], [27], [28] and [41].