HighlightsWe have analyzed the parameters of cerebral hemodynamics and left ventricular functional capacity in patients with occlusion and stenosis of the contralateral internal carotid artery during vascular surgery. Considering the importance of the left ventricular functional capacity and treatment options to ensure the stability of cerebral circulation in patients with occlusion and hemodynamically significant stenosis of the contralateral carotid artery, its detailed study at all stages of vascular surgery remains necessary. AbstractAim. To study cerebral hemodynamics and left ventricular functional capacity in patients with occlusion and stenosis of the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) to optimize treatment at the preoperative phase.Methods. The study compared the hemodynamic parameters of the blood flow of the ICA, vertebral arteries and left ventricular functional capacity in patients with ICA occlusion and contralateral ICA stenosis, which formed the 1 group (12 patients), and patients with unilateral hemodynamically significant stenosis, which formed the 2 group (52 patients). The blood flow in the extracranial portions of the major arteries of the head and heart was assessed using ultrasound, and the arterial vascular system and brain structure was assessed using MRI and MRA.Results. Before surgery, statistically significant differences in velocity parameters in the vertebral arteries on the occlusion side were found; on the contralateral occlusion side, velocity parameters in ICA were significantly different from the corresponding indicators in the group with unilateral stenosis; after surgery, statistically significant differences were found in the common carotid and vertebral arteries on the occlusion side; on the contralateral occlusion side, differences in velocity parameters in the common carotid, internal, and vertebral arteries were revealed in comparison with the group with unilateral stenosis. Of the indicators of the left ventricular functional capacity, only left ventricular ejection fraction differed significantly when comparing the group of patients with occlusion and stenosis of ICA and the group of patients with unilateral stenosis. Moreover, when evaluating pre- and postoperative outcomes in the group of patients with occlusion, significant differences were obtained only regarding the vertebral artery on the side of occlusion – the peak systolic blood flow velocity and the volumetric blood flow velocity significantly decreased. There were no significant differences between the common carotid, internal carotid arteries on the contralateral occlusion side, and middle cerebral arteries.Conclusion. Carrying out a comprehensive ultrasound examination of the main arteries of the head in combination with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is a reliable and adequate way to assess cerebral hemodynamics, changes in the vascular bed and structure of the brain. Given the extreme importance of the left ventricular functional capacity to ensure the stability of cerebral circulation in patients with occlusion of the internal carotid artery and contralateral hemodynamically significant stenosis, its detailed study before carotid endarterectomy is necessary to adjust therapeutic measures.

Poster: ECR 2018 / C-2293 / The assessment of the relationship of atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries and aortic wall by contrast-enhanced MRI by: A. Maksimova, E. Bobrikova, I. Bukhovets, M. Plotnikov, V. Y. Ussov; Tomsk/RU

The authors studied the parameters of arterial and venous blood flow in patients presenting with haemodynamically significant atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries before and after carotid endarterectomy, as well as while carrying out functional tests. Comparing the indices of arterial blood flow in the Study Group consisting of 52 patients and the Control Group comprising 15 apparently healthy volunteers at rest prior to the operation revealed statistically significant differences of volumetric parameters of blood flow in the internal carotid artery. The obtained results showed that the breath-holding test was accompanied and followed by increased velocity of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) on the side contralateral to stenosis, with the reactivity index (RI) amounting to 0.98±0.20, which statistically significantly differed from the RI in the Control Group patients (1.28±0.13). The forced respiration test demonstrated a decrease in the volumetric indices of blood flow in the MCA on the side of stenosis, as well as an increase of the maximum end-diastolic velocity of blood flow on the side contralateral to stenosis. The test with sublingual administration of nitroglycerin appeared to result in reduced blood flow in the MCA. The supratrochlear test demonstrated decreased velocity of blood flow in the supratrochlear artery. Studying the venous link of cerebral vessels after the operation showed that statistically significant differences were revealed only on the side contralateral to stenosis as compared with the values prior to revascularization. An increase of blood flow in the internal jugular veins after the operation on the side contralateral to the operation was apparently suggestive of an adequate distribution of blood flow through the main vessels of the brain.

Aim of the study. The relationships and connections of atherosclerotic damage of carotid arterial wall concomitant with atherosclerosis of thoracic aorta have been studied here, as from data of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and also bearing in mind the results of blood lipids biochemistry. Material and methods. The study patients group comprised seventeen persons (of which 12 males and five females, as old as 62.3 ± 6.2 years) with extensive atherosclerosis verified from data of complex radiologic and biochemical study. In everybody extensive MRI study with contrast enhancement has been carried out imaging both carotid, cerebral and aortic arch regions, and also blood spectrum of lipids was studied. Everybody used to be a in-patient of departments of cardiovascular surgery or of urgent cardiology, with multiple ischemic attacks in cerebral and coronary vascular areas (all seventeen) and also lower limb vascular arterial disorders (in twelve). Diabetes mellitus of type 2 with need of antidiabetic peroral treatment was present in eight of seventeen included. Carotid arterial stenotic atherosclerosis involved common carotid artery bifurcation and internal carotid artery (with bilateral critical stenosis in ten patients and with essentially monolateral one in seven patients) and was concomitant with stenosis over 50 % in one or more segment of syphone and/or intracranial part of internal carotid artery or of anterior or middle cerebral arteries. MRI study of aorta and carotid arteries has been carried out in everybody using MRI scanner with Toshiba Titan Vantage with field induction 1.5 T. Pearson’s parametric coefficient of correlation was employed for analysis of group relationships, with calculation of correlation coefficient r . Results. In all patients with atherosclerosis statistically significantly higher values of paramagnetic contrast enhancement of T1WI- SE scans of carotid artery’s wall as compared to the control group were observed. Age-matched control persons demonstrated the indices as low as 1.04 ± 0.02. In particular the index of enhancement of T1-WI of carotid arteries and aorta in patients with advanced atherosclerosis were as follows: over carotid arteries - 1.24 ± 0.17, over r aorta - 1.22 ± 0.17. When assessing the relationship between the indices of enhancement of T1-WI of aorta and of carotid arteries, a positive linear correlation was found ( r = 0.672, p < 0.05). There were no evidence for aortic dissection or aneurysm; the diameter of aorta in patients with atherosclerosis was as narrow as 2.5 ± 0.31 cm. The index of enhancement of T1-WI of carotid arteries atherosclerotic lesion and the total cholesterol level did correlate significantly ( r = 0.584, p < 0.05). There was also positive correlation between index of enhancement of T1-Scans of carotid plaque and blood triglycerides ( r = 0.667; p <0.05). Conclusion. Uptake of paramagnetic contrast agents as visual expression of pathologic neoangiogenesis in the media layers of wall of aorta and carotid arteries is seen over all extent of aortic arch and carotid vessels in patients with extensive atherosclerosis. When observing the uptake of paramagnetic contrast to the arterial wall concomitant with carotid stenosis it is recommended to carry out the MRI of aorta as well.

The article provides surgical treatment outcomes of combined atherosclerotic lesions of carotid and coronary arteries in 143 patients who underwent different surgical treatment tactics. The major criteria for the choice of surgical treatment stages in patient Group 1 were degree of carotid and coronary circulation lesion and severity of clinical manifestations of CAD and chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency. Surgical treatment for patient Group 2 was identified taking into account the study data of functional reserve of myocardial and cerebral perfusion. In patient Group 3 the tactics of simultaneous surgical treatment was based only on the presence of combined, hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic lesion of carotid and coronary arteries. The outcomes showed that functional evaluation of myocardial and cerebral perfusion reserve allows differentiation of high risk patients with combined atherosclerotic lesion of carotid and coronary circulation and thus contributes to the choice of the best possible surgical treatment tactics. Simultaneous surgeries are reasonable for the patients with lowered reserve of both coronary and cerebral circulation. Moreover, the risk of cerebral and cardiac postoperative complications in such patients is not higher than that after staged surgical treatment.

Aim. We have carried out the direct comparison between MR images of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries and morphologic density of microvasculature of the plaques, as seen from surgical specimen removed at carotid endarterectomy. Materials and Methods. Twenty two patients with internal carotid artery stenosis over 70% were included and all underwent contrast enhanced MRI and MR angiography of carotid arteries before carotid endarterectomy. In order to quantify the changes in T1 weighted images due to contrast uptake to the plaque, the index of enhancement (IE) was calculated in all patients as ratio of post and pre contrast intensities per voxel over the plaque. The index of vascularity was scored from the microscopy of the resected specimen based on the number of capillaries in plaque per field of view (f.o.v) (mag.x200). In particular: 0 – no capillaries detected; 1 degree – 1–3 /f.o.v; 2 – 4–6 /f.o.v; 3 – 7–9 /f.o.v; 4 – 10 or more. Results. Vascularity degree 0–1 was observed when IE was in ranges of 1.01–1.15; degree 2 corresponded to IE of 1.16–1.34; degree 3 corresponded to IE of 1.35–1.46; vascularity degree 4 corresponded to IE >1.46. In all cases, the inter group significance of differences was p 1.22. Conclusions. Enhanced uptake of paramagnetic contrast agent to the atherosclerotic plaque occurs when the capillary vascularity of the plaque is enhanced and when revealed (i.e. if index of enhancement is over 1.22) should be accepted as additional indication to carotid endarterectomy or to stenting of the stenosis. The quantitative processing of the contract enhanced MRI of the carotid plaques and arterial walls of the carotid arteries should be employed for noninvasive evaluation of the vascularity of atherosclerotic lesions.

The authors studied a possibility of simultaneously performing magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of carotid arteries and contrast-enhanced MR tomography of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries. We examined a total of 16 patients presenting with disseminated atherosclerosis and 8 patients of the control group. Quadrature coils for examination of the head were used in order to sequentially perform MR tomography of the brain, MR angiography of carotid arteries and MR tomography of atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries with contrasting by 0.5M cyclomang. Angiography was carried out by means of the technique of 3D GR FFE of rapid gradient echo (TR/TE/FA/ST=10 ms/2.7 ms/20°/1.5 mm). MR tomography of the carotid arteries bifurcation was performed in the T1-weighted spin-echo mode: TR=500-900 ms, TE=10 ms, slice sickness 1-3 mm into the matrix 256x256 voxels, with the voxel size measuring 0.2x0.2x2 mm. The average time of passing of the paramagnetic through the blood vessels of the cerebral hemispheres in the control group amounted to 4.23±0.14 s for the left hemisphere and to 4.27±0.15 s for the right one. The mean time of bolus passing in patients with predominantly unilateral stenosis of the internal carotid artery amounted to 4.89±0.23 on the affected side, equalling 4.56±0.19 s on the unaffected side (p>0.05). In bilateral lesions these indices for the left and right hemispheres amounted to 4.98±0.21 s and 5.01±0.16 s (p>0.05), respectively. Contrast-enhanced MR angiography with cyclomang made it possible in all cases to visualize the localization and character of stenosis. The index of stenosis degree calculated for MR-angiogram highly significantly correlated with the indices of the ultrasonographic examination performed according to the ECST technique both for cases of unilateral (r=0.87, p<0.05) and cases of bilateral stenotic lesion (r=0.85, p<0.05). Inhomogeneous soft plaques with high content of lipids had high values of the enhancement index on contrasting--1.26±0.07, whereas hard fibrous avascular plaques--1.09±0.04 (p<0.05). The total time of the examination amounted to 41±5 min while performing time-fly MR-angiography and to 29±5 min without it. A conclusion was made that simultaneous MR angiography and contrast-enhanced (with Mn-paramagnetic) MR tomography of carotid arteries is possible and appropriate within the framework of a single study using quadratic coil for the head.

The aim of our study was to compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)(based structure of atherosclerotic plaques and cerebral vascular reactivity quantified by echocardiography. All patients underwent MRI of the carotid arteries. To assess the cerebrovascular reactivity, transcranial ultrasound of middle cerebral artery was carried out with quantification of blood flow parameters at rest and during stress tests: first with breath holding and then with hyperventilation, with calculation of reactivity index. Data showed a statistically significant association between MRI plaque structure and type of the reaction during breath holding in hypercapnic test, whereas no significant differences were found in hyperventilation test. In breath-holding test, 56% of patients with hypointense plaques on T1( and hyperintense plaques on T2-weighted MRI scans had unidirectional positive response to functional hypercapnic stress. On the contrary, pathologic unidirectional negative or negative response on a side of the stenosis was observed in patients with MRI evidence of hyperintense plaques on T1- and hypointense plaques on T2-weighted scans. Atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery with intra-plaque hemorrhage were accompanied with critical deterioration of cerebrovascular reactivity. Any hemorrhage to carotid plaque could probably be assumed as critical risk factor requiring removal of the plaque by carotid endarterectomy. High-resolution MRI of carotid arteries may be suggested as screening test for all patients in atherosclerosis risk groups.

Цель: изучить распространенность структурных изменений головного мозга по данным магнитнорезонанснойтомографии (МРТ) у подростков с эссенциальной артериальной гипертензией (ЭАГ). Обследовано 150 подростков с ЭАГ в возрасте 12–18 лет. Средний возраст составил 14,9±2,0 лет. По результатам суточного мониторирования артериального давления (СМАД) были сформированы группы наблюдения: 1я группа – 44 пациента с феноменом “гипертонии белого халата” (ГБХ); 2я группа – подростки с лабильной АГ (ЛАГ) –50 человек, 3я группа – подростки со стабильной АГ (ст. АГ) – 56 человек. МРТ головного мозга проводилась намагнитнорезонансном томографе “MagnetomOPEN” по общепринятой методике. Состояние функции левогожелудочка (ЛЖ) оценивали по данным эхокардиографии (ЭхоКГ) по общепринятой методике. Активность фактора Виллебранда определялась in vitro с помощью набора реагентов фирмы “Технология стандарт” (Барнаул).Увеличение линейных размеров ликворопроводящих структур головного мозга было выявлено у 74% пациентовгрупп наблюдения. Минимальные проявления гипертонической энцефалопатии (ГЭ) были выявлены у 49,3%, аумеренные – у 24,7% подростков с ЭАГ. При повышении среднего артериального давления (АД) за сутки на 1 ммрт. ст. отмечалось увеличение размеров субарахноидального пространства (САП) задней черепной ямки на 0,14мм, р=0,032, а увеличение индекса времени (ИВ) систолического АД (САД) в ночные часы на 1 ед. измерения (%)влекло за собой увеличение этого же параметра на 0,09 мм, р=0,028. Разница средних значений уровня фактораВиллебранда в группе подростков с ЭАГ и наличием ГЭ была значимо выше, чем в группе пациентов без нее, исоставила 18,83%, р=0,025. Расширение размеров ликворосодержащих пространств головного мозга можно интерпретировать как ранние маркеры его повреждения при формировании ЭАГ в подростковом возрасте. Показатели среднего АД за сутки и ИВ САД в ночные часы вносят значимый вклад в формирование структурных нарушений головного мозга.

The aim of the study was to compare the structure of atherosclerotic plaques visualized using MRI with cerebral vascular reactivity detected by ultrasound in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Materials and methods. The patients′ population comprised 21 persons (mean age 64 ± 13) with hemodynamically significant carotid artery stenosis for over 70 % of lumen. All patients underwent MR imaging of the carotid arteries. To assess the cerebrovascular reactivity transcranial ultrasound of middle cerebral artery was done and blood flow parameters were determined during the stress tests: test with breath holding and hyperventilation. Results and discussion. It was found that at test with breath holding there is a statistically significant association between MRI plaque structure and direction of the reaction (p = 0.081), whereas at the test with hyperventilation no significant differences were found. At tests with breath holding in 56 % patients with MR images of plaque hypointense on T1-weighted scans and hyperintense on T2-weighted ones unidirectional positive response was observed; unidirectional negative response or multidirectional response were observed in patients with MR images of plaque hyperintense on T1-weighted scans and hypointense on T2-weighted ones. Conclusion. Atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery with intra-plaque hemorrhage are accompanied by critical deterioration of cerebrovascular reactivity. Thus, every hemorrhage to carotid plaque is critical risk factor and requires removal of the plaque by carotid endarterectomy. Such study may be suggested as a screening test in all patients of risk groups of atherosclerosis.

Aim. To evaluate the possibility of simultaneous magnetic resonance angiography of carotid arteries and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Material and methods. 24 persons entered in research: 16 (66.7%) patients with extensive atherosclerosis of aorta and large arteries and in 8 (33.3%) control persons. Using four-channel quadratur phase-array coil for head studies the brain MRI, MR-angiography of carotid arteries and MR-tomography of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were carried out using contrast enhancement with 0,5M cyclomang (Mn-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetate) solution. The angiography employed 3D GR FFE fast gradient echo protocol (TR/TE/FA/ST = 10 ms / 2.7ms / 20°/ 1.5 mm). MRI of carotid arteries used the T1-w.spin-echo scanning with TR = 500-700 ms, TE = 10 ms, with slices as thin as 1-3 mm, matrix 256 x 256, and voxel as small as 0.2 x x 0.2 x 2 mm. Results. The mean transit time for the paramagnetic contrast passage through brain haemispheres was in healthy control persons as short as MTT = 4.23 ± 0.14 s for the left and MTT = 4.27 ± 0.15 s for the right. The MTT in patients with single-side stenosis was on the involved side as long as 4.89 ± 0.23 s, whereas on the intact side 4.56 ± 0.19 s (p > 0.05). In bilateral stenosis the MTT was 4.98 ± 0.21 s and 5.01 ± 0.16 s (p > 0.05) for the left and right sides respectively. In all cases of aherosclerotic stenoses the contrast-enhanced MRA with cyclomang provided the correct diagnosis of both location and extent of the stenosis. The degree of stenosis calculated for the MR-angiography correlated significantly with the data of ultrasonic study calculated using ECST technique both for monolateral (r = 0.87, p < 0.05) and bilateral (r = 0. 85, p < 0.05) stenoses. High-risk inhomogenous plaques with high lipid content demonstrated high indices of enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI scans: IE = 1.26 ± 0.07, whereas in dense fibrous avascular plaques IE = 1.09 ± 0.04 (p < 0.05), providing efficient detection of risk plaques. The entire time of the study did last for as long as 41 ± 5 min when including time-of-flight protocol of angiography and 29 ± 5 min without it. Conclusion. Thus the contrast-enhanced MRA and MRI of carotid plaques with manganese paramagnetic complex can be carried out simultaneously as a single study using four-channel quadratur phase-array coil for head studies.

Aim: The aim of the study was (1) to develop efficacious and minimally time-consuming protocol for extensive MRI and MR-angiographic examinations of carotid arteries in order to detect and quantify severity of atherosclerotic stenosis in the carotid arteries and (2) to evaluate the efficiency of this protocol in routine studies of the head in ambulatory patients aged over 45 years with clinical signs of extensive atherosclerosis. The results of MR-tomographic and MR-angiographic examinations were studied in 147 patients referred to the MRI Laboratory. Initially the protocol of MR-tomographic and MR-angiographic studies included MR-angiography of the carotid and cerebral blood vessels with an acquisition of time-of flight MR-angiograms and detailed visualization of the region of common (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, as follows: slice thickness of 1 mm, matrix of 256 х 256, voxel size of 0.2 х 0.2 х 1 mm, TR=6 ms, and TE=32 ms. Thereafter the MR-angiograms of the brain were immediately reconstructed, with on-line evaluation of the presence and severity of ICA stenosis. After that, axial sections of the brain were acquired simultaneously with axial slices of the bifurcations of carotid arteries, in T2-weighted spin-echo regime (TE=100-110 ms, TR=4000-7000 ms) and Т1-weighted spin echo regime (TE=15 ms, TR=400-600 ms), with and without fat suppression. For certain acquisition of MRI slices covering the region of CCA bifurcation, centering them at the level of the intervertebral disc С3-4 was usually enough. The study demonstrated that simultaneous acquisition of MR-angiography of the carotid arteries with MR-tomographic study of the vascular wall may be the effective method to detect intraplaque hemorrhage in the presence of carotid artery stenosis. These intraplaque haemorrhages are suggested as indication to carotid endarterectomy with autovenous plasty and for the elimination of the risk of cerebral stroke.

Aim: To study structural brain changes according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in adolescents with essential arterial hypertension (AH). A total of 150 12-18-year-old adolescents with essential AH were examined. The average age was 14.9±2.0 years. According to 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, patients were assigned to the following study groups: group 1 comprised 44 patients with “white coat hypertension”; group 2 comprised 50 patients with labile arterial hypertension; group 3 comprised 6 patients with stable AH. MRI study of the brain was performed at MR-imaging unit “Magnetom-OPEN” according to practical standard. The left ventricle function was assessed according to echocardiography data. Activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) was determined in vitro with reagent kit (“Technology Standard”, Barnaul). Increases in the linear sizes of liquor-contained brain structures were found in 74% of patients. Minimal and moderate signs of hypertensive encephalopathy (HE) were documented in 49.3% and 24.7% of adolescents with essential AH, respectively. An increase in the subarachnoid space of posterior fossa by 0.14 mm (р=0.032) was observed in the presence of average BP increase by 1 mmHg during day hours; systolic blood pressure (SBP) time index increase by one unit (%)corresponded to an increase of in the subarachnoid space of posterior fossa by 0.09 mm (p=0.028) during night hours. The difference in mean values of von Willebrand factor level in the group of adolescents with essential AH and HE reached 18.83% (р=0.025) and was significantly higher than in the group of patients without structural brain disturbances. An increase in the liquor contained brain spaces can be interpreted as early marker of brain damage in the presence of adolescent essential AH. Average BP during the day and a time index of SBP during the night contribute to the development of structural brain disturbances.

FIELD: medicine. SUBSTANCE: invention is intended for visualising the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque in brachiocephalic arteries in the diagnostics of a risk of ischemic impairment of the cerebral blood flow (IICBF) in patients with extensive atherosclerosis and can be used in radiodiagnostics, neurology and vascular surgery. Contrasting T1-weighed spin-echo MRI of the neck and head area is carried out with thin cuts in the axial plane, 1-3 mm thick, with the compulsory inclusion of the area of the carotid arteries bifurcation, with the introduction of a contrast agent - paramagnet in a dose of 2 mM/10 kg of body weight. The examination is carried out twice: initially and 5-8 min after the introduction of the contrast agent-paramagnetic, an image amplification index (AI) is determined for the area of atherosclerotic plaque as the ratio of intensity of T1-weighed image with contrasting by means of the paramagnetic (IT1WI contrast ) to the intensity of T1-weighed image on the initial (IT1WI initial ) non-contrasting examination AI= IT1WI contrast /IT1WI initial. In case of the plaque presence in the area of the internal carotid artery or in the place of its deviation from the general carotid artery and AI value in the area of the said plaque larger than 1.22, risk of the acute IICBF development is predicted. EFFECT: method provides high self-descriptiveness of MRI method of examination with the visualisation of the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque, identification of the presence of neoangiogenesis, which reliably increase the risk of rupture and ischemic affection of the brain. 8 dwg, 1 ex, 2 tbl

Aim of the study. We have compared in patients with carotid atherosclerosis the patterns of contrast enhancement of atherosclerotic plaque with presence of cerebral stroke, by using of high-resolution contrast-enhanced carotid MRI.Material and methods. The patients 'population comprised 26 persons with either monolateral (14 pts) or bilateral (12 pts) stenosis of internal carotid artery for over 70% of lumen. In 15 (10-monolateral, 5 bilateral stenosis) there was recent stroke in acute or subacute stage, whereas 11 were symptom-free. In everybody contrast-enhanced study of atherosclerotic plaque was carried out with T1-w high-resolution MRI (paramagnetic as 2 ml of 0.5 mol solution per 10 kg of BW).Results and discussion. In control persons there was a mild increase in T1-w intensity of arterial wall of carotids? With IE not more than 1.08. In patients without stroke there was moderate increase in plaque T-1w intensity up to 1.14 ± 0.07. In ishaemic stroke patients there was significant rise in intensity of T1-w of homolateral plaque (IE = 1.35 ± 0.06), and also of T1-w of arterial wall as whole (IE = 1.19 ± 0.05).Conclusion. Further detailed study of high-resolution MRI of carotids is worth in order to obtain better imaging of atherosclerotic lesions and also better evaluation of risk of stroke in patients suitable for carotid endarterectomy.

Poster: ESCR 2013 / 481 / Contrast uptake to atherosclerotic plaque as risk factor for ishaemic event by: W. Y. Ussov , E. E. Bobrikova, V. A. Kazakov, M. Plotnikov; Tomsk/RU