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1
Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular disease. Cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic strokes, are the main clinical consequence of carotid atherosclerosis.
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2
Duplex ultrasound has evolved beyond stenosis measurement to assess plaque vulnerability and provide more precise risk assessment.
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3
Carotid plaques are associated with significant 10-year cardiovascular event risk, with higher risk from bilateral carotid plaques or a carotid plaque accompanied by a plaque at the femoral bifurcation.
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4
Plaque ulceration and surface irregularity are associated with vulnerability and adverse outcomes, while maximum carotid plaque thickness predicts stroke risk independently of stenosis severity.
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5
Three-dimensional ultrasound detects carotid plaque ulcerations more effectively than two-dimensional ultrasound but is limited by complexity, cost, and difficulty assessing heavily calcified plaques.
