Incidence of stroke every year increases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization ischemic stroke remains the second leading cause of disability in Europe after ischaemic heart disease and is the sixth leading cause worldwide [1]. There are several causes for cerebral ischemia and if risk factors are diagnosed timely, the risk of stroke can be reduced significantly. The unstable plaque abruption and embolization to intracerebral artery is one of main ischemic stroke cause [2-3]. This demonstrates the need for a more accurate diagnostic tool...

During the study, conducted from 2018 to 2020, 73 patients with duplex ultrasound detected unstable plaque were enrolled. All patients examined with Duplex US, CEUS, CTA and in 50 cases the histology of the atherosclerotic plaque was acquired after endarterectomy.[Fig 1][Fig 2][Fig 3][Fig 4][Fig 5] Project study selection criteria: The criteria for inclusion in the study are as follows: Carotid artery moderate and severe stenosis detected by ultrasound (by NASCET). In CTA or ultrasound B mode there are following plaque features: B mode ultrasound structural...

Unstable plaque was diagnosed in 73 patients using Duplex US method and in 74 patients using CT method. Comparing both methods statistically significant correlation was found (rs = 0.781; p = 0.0001). Comparing 2 groups: soft plaques neovascularisation by CEUS was diagnosed in 33 cases (16 cases with Grade1 and 17 - Grade 2). [Fig 7] Comparing results with histology - sensitivity was 77.78%, specificity 60%, positive predictive value 77.78%, negative predictive value 71.52%, accuracy 76.3%; In a group with extensive calcified plaques - neovascularisation...

CEUS as an advanced ultrasound method provides additional information to the atherosclerotic plaque instability and vasa vasorum detection, with positive correlation to the grade of stenosis and histological results. Extensive calcinosis is important limitation factor in carotid atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization diagnostics by CEUS, reducing methods sensitivity by 24.38%, specificity 35.02%, negative predictive value up to 2 times, positive predictive value by 13.24%. Soft plaque neovascularization Grade 2 have tendency to uptake contrast earlier than Grade 1. CEUS method is advised to be included in a...

A. Lioznovs: Nothing to disclose M. Radzina: Nothing to disclose S. Pavlovics: Nothing to disclose L. Saule: Nothing to disclose J. Savlovskis: Nothing to disclose A. Lacis: Nothing to disclose D. Krievins: Nothing to disclose

Joosup Kim, Tharshanah Thayabaranathan, Geoffrey A Donnan, George Howard, Virginia J Howard, Peter M Rothwell, Valery Feigin, Bo Norrving, Mayowa Owolabi, Jeyaraj Pandian, Liping Liu, Dominique A Cadilhac, Amanda G Thrift, Global Stroke Statistics 2019, International Journal of Stroke 2020, Vol. 15(1) 819-838. Amelia K. Boehme, Charles Esenwa, Mitchell S. V. Elkind, Stroke Risk Factors, Genetics, and Prevention, Cirulation Research, 2017 Feb 3; 120(3): 472–495. Naylor AR, Ricco JB, de Borst GJ, Debus S, de Haro J, Halliday A, Hamilton G, Kakisis J, Kakkos S,...