The relationship between fibrous cap status or plaque surface morphology and intraplaque hemorrhage volume over time: The PARISK Study

Mohamed Kassem, Tahnee Gorissen, Mohammad Albenwan, Juul Bierens, Dianne H.K. van Dam-Nolen, Madieke I. Liem, Paul A.M. Hofman, Joachim E. Wildberger, Jeroen Hendrikse, Werner Mess, Paul J. Nederkoorn, Daniel Bos, Patty Nelemans, Robert J. van Oostenbrugge, M. Eline Kooi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is a strong predictor of stroke, but factors contributing to IPH development are incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigate the longitudinal relationship between a thin/ruptured fibrous cap (TRFC)/disrupted plaque surface and IPH volume. Methods: 116 ischemic TIA/stroke patients with ipsilateral carotid plaques underwent baseline and two-year follow-up MRI. IPH and fibrous cap status (thick versus TRFC) on MRI and disruption of the plaque surface (smooth versus fissure/ulceration) on CTA were assessed. Results: In the TRFC and disrupted plaque surface groups, the median IPH volume (tended) to decrease during follow-up (baseline: 97.3 IQR: [3.2-193.3] mm3 versus follow-up: 29.7 [0.0-115.1] mm3, p = 0.09, and baseline: 25.1 [0.0-166.2] mm3 versus follow-up: 11.2 [0.0-68.3] mm3, p = 0.04, respectively). In the group with a thick fibrous cap/smooth plaque surface, the median IPH volumes were zero at baseline and follow-up. The risk of IPH progression was higher in the TRFC/disrupted plaque groups (risk ratio (RR): 2.9 and 2.0, respectively) than in patients with a thick fibrous cap/smooth plaque surface. Conclusion: TIA/stroke patients with a TRFC/disrupted plaque showed a net decrease in IPH volume over time, indicating plaque healing in some patients, but patients with a TRFC/disrupted plaque are still at increased risk for IPH progression. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01208025.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108283
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2025

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Computed tomography angiography
  • Fibrous cap
  • Intraplaque hemorrhage
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Plaque surface morphology

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