Prediction of Stroke Risk by Detection of Hemorrhage in Carotid Plaques: Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the risk of stroke between patients with carotid artery disease with and without the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: IPH in carotid stenosis increases the risk of cerebrovascular events. Uncertainty remains whether risk of stroke alone is increased and whether stroke is predicted independently of known risk factors.

Mobilization of CD133+ progenitor cells in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Progenitor cells (PCs) contribute to the endogenous repair mechanism after ischemic events. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) as part of the acute inflammatory reaction may enhance PC mobilization. Also, statins are supposed to alter number and function of circulating PCs.

MRI plaque imaging detects carotid plaques with a high risk for future cerebrovascular events in asymptomatic patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively whether MRI plaque imaging can identify patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis who have an increased risk for future cerebral events. MRI plaque imaging allows categorization of carotid stenosis into different lesion types (I-VIII). Within these lesion types, lesion types IV-V and VI are regarded as rupture-prone plaques, whereas the other lesion types represent stable ones.