Clinical Report: Assessment of Phase-Specific Turbulence Index from VFI

Overview

This study investigates the association between phase-specific turbulence index (Tur) from vector flow imaging (VFI) and intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The findings indicate that reduced downstream end-diastolic Tur is linked to IPN.

Background

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death globally, with carotid atherosclerotic stenosis being a significant contributor. Intraplaque neovascularization is recognized as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, promoting plaque instability. Current noninvasive methods for assessing IPN have limitations.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 82 out of 108 carotid plaques were IPN-positive (75.9%).
• Downstream Tur during end-diastole was significantly lower in IPN-positive plaques (P = 0.008).
• An exploratory multivariable model showed an AUC of 0.830 for predicting IPN.
• After bootstrap correction, the bias-corrected C-statistic was 0.768.
• Phase-specific Tur was associated with IPN assessment.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that phase-specific Tur derived from VFI is associated with plaque vulnerability in carotid atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

Reduced downstream end-diastolic Tur is associated with IPN in carotid plaques, indicating the potential of VFI-derived parameters as imaging biomarkers for plaque vulnerability.

Related Resources & Content

1. Three-Dimensional Analysis of Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesions Utilizing Distance Encoding in Mesh Models, Springer, 2025 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11548-025-03464-4
2. Evaluating Luminal Enhancement in Intracranial Aneurysms: Is It a Reality or an Artifact?—A Comprehensive Multimodal Flow Assessment, Springer, 2021 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11548-021-02486-y
3. Evaluation of Carotid Artery Plaque Using Iodine Mapping via CT Imaging, Springer, 2023 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00330-023-10276-0
4. Current status and advances in ultrasound evaluation of neovascularization within carotid artery plaques: a systematic review, Cardiovascular Ultrasound, 2025 -- https://cardiovascularultrasound.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12947-025-00356-0
5. Improved stroke risk stratification in carotid atherosclerosis: integrating intraplaque neovascularization into Carotid Plaque-RADS, BMC Medical Imaging, 2025 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12880-025-02077-2?utm_source=openai
6. Three-Dimensional Analysis of Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesions Utilizing Distance Encoding in Mesh Models
7. Evaluating Luminal Enhancement in Intracranial Aneurysms: Is It a Reality or an Artifact?—A Comprehensive Multimodal Flow Assessment
8. European Radiology — Evaluation of Carotid Artery Plaque Using Iodine Mapping via CT Imaging
9. Hemodynamic Simulations Utilizing Imaging Techniques for Intracranial Aneurysms: Effects of Complex Vascular Structures
10. European Heart Journal, ESC multisociety consensus on carotid atherosclerosis management
11. NEJM, Medical Management and Revascularization for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis
12. Current status and advances in ultrasound evaluation of neovascularization within carotid artery plaques: a systematic review | Cardiovascular Ultrasound | Springer Nature Link
13. Improved stroke risk stratification in carotid atherosclerosis: integrating intraplaque neovascularization into Carotid Plaque-RADS | BMC Medical Imaging | Springer Nature Link
14. Frontiers | Risk prediction for symptomatic ischemic cerebrovascular disease based on ultrasound indicators of carotid plaque neovascularization
15. Blood Flow Turbulence Measured by High-frame-rate Vector Flow Imaging Conduced to Investigating Advanced Carotid Plaque Vulnerability - PubMed
16. Frontiers | Phase-Specific Turbulence Index Derived from Vector Flow Imaging for Identifying Intraplaque Neovascularization in Carotid Plaques