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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- When major arteries are affected by atherosclerosis, plaque accumulates on the inner lining of the vessels walls. As plaque builds up, the vessel narrows -- a process known as stenosis. Its long been thought that stenosis was responsible for most heart attacks and strokes, but new studies have identified that its the composition of the plaque itself that may be a major cause of vascular events.
Canadian researchers have successfully used three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3-D MRI) to detect bleeding within the walls of diseased carotid arteries. The bleeding detected is a characteristic of complicated plaque buildup -- a dangerous type of plaque that may lead to stroke.
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We now know that the composition of carotid artery plaque is likely to be more predictive of future stroke events than the amount of stenosis in the vessel, Alan R. Moody, F.R.C.R, F.R.C.P, of the University of Toronto, was quoted as saying.
These results suggest 3-D MRI may be a useful tool in screening high-risk patients for complicated carotid plaque as a means to prevent stroke, and also to monitor the effects of interventions designed to slow the process of atherosclerotic disease.
SOURCE: Radiology, 2008
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