Carotid Plaque Texture Analysis Can Predict the Incidence of Silent Brain Infarcts Among Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between microembolism (ME) and incidence of silent brain infarcts during carotid endarterectomy.Materials and methodsPatients were assessed using transcranial Doppler, carotid ultrasound and pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). The clinical status, need for shunt insertion and significant decrease in the blood flow in the middle cerebral artery were recorded. All data were analysed using multivariate regression models.ResultsOut of the 76 patients examined, 17 (22%) had new postoperative lesions seen on MRI. Three of them (4%) were symptomatic, 14 (18%) were asymptomatic. The multivariate regression models showed that ME is a potent predictor of ‘silent’ ischemic brain lesions, at p