Imaging evaluation of carotid vulnerable plaques / 国际脑血管病杂志

Carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombosis are the independent risk factors of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Early identification of vulnerable plaques provides the evidence for early intervention in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, and also helps to reduce the recurrence risk in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. This article focuses on comparing the advantages and limitations of the available clinical imaging methods in identifying vulnerable carotid artery plaque, and provides relevant prognostic indicators for patient risk stratification in clinical work.