High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging of Plaques
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging of Intracranial and Extracranial Plaques: a Prospective Cohort Registration Study
Overview
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the predictive value of High-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging for future stroke occurrence in patients with moderate to severe intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis. The secondary objective is to explore the predictive value of baseline high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging for plaque progression.
Detailed description
Carotid artery origin and intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) are among the leading causes of ischemic cerebrovascular events worldwide, with ICAS accounting for up to 46.6% of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) cases in China. Vascular imaging-defined lumen narrowing and clinical manifestations have long been recognized as primary contributors to subsequent ischemic cerebrovascular events. While it is widely accepted that most ischemic events result from ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, hemodynamic disturbances caused by plaque progression within and beyond the cranium, collateral or perforator occlusions, and distal embolism from plaque detachment also play significant roles. Current clinical decision-making relying solely on lumen narrowing dimensions presents substantial limitations. Compared to lumen narrowing alone, detailed characterization of plaque morphology and composition correlates more closely with clinical presentations and subsequent ischemic events.
Advanced high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) technology has achieved 2D and 3D imaging of intracranial and extracranial arterial walls. By suppressing blood flow within the vessels, it can clearly display the morphology and signal characteristics of the vascular walls: Non-invasively describe the detailed structure of atherosclerosis, identifying plaque components, enhancement intensity, reconstruction type, and load, while evaluating the characteristics of vulnerable plaques in extracranial carotid arteries and ICAS, such as intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and ulcers. Previous studies have shown that these plaque features can provide additional value for distinguishing between stroke cases and asymptomatic patients with narrowed arteries.
However, most of these studies are cross-sectional in nature, and due to limited data, their conclusions vary. Some reports suggest that symptomatic ICAS patients with plaque enhancement may be more related to future ischemic events, while other studies argue that the correlation is minimal. Additionally, previous research investigating the temporal changes in plaque characteristics and their relationship with recurrent stroke has been constrained by small sample sizes (N \<15), leading to inconclusive conclusions.
Therefore, more comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate the value of baseline HR-VWI in identifying patients with intracranial and extracranial arterial stenosis at risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events in the future. Through wall plaque imaging studies, it is expected that multi-modal imaging can be used to stratify stroke risk based on cerebral vascular plaques.
Primary outcome measures
- Lumen Stenosis Rate [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
- Identify different plaque components [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Ejection index and maximum wall thickness [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
- Wall thickness [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
- Patch load [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
- Vascular reconstruction index RR [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
- Plaque-to-pituitary stalk contrast enhancement ratio (CR) [Time frame: 2024.08-2027.12]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- At least 18 years old;
- Medium or severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, V4 segment of vertebral artery or basilar artery \[stenosis degree: 50% \~ 99%, confirmed by CTA, MRA or DSA\];
- Accept high resolution magnetic resonance angiography; The patient or the legal representative of the patient is able and willing to sign an informed consent form
Exclusion criteria
- Non-atherosclerotic intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis, such as dissection, smoke disease, etc.;
- There are contraindications to MRI, such as claustrophobia, metal implants, etc.;
- Renal insufficiency, elevated serum creatinine (more than twice the upper limit of normal);
- Patients with severe cardiopulmonary diseases were considered unsuitable for this study;
- Gadolinium contrast agent allergy;
- Participants who were unable to complete the study due to mental illness, cognitive or emotional disorder.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital — Shanghai
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07125339 · HELP Study