Carotid magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring atherosclerotic plaque progression: a multicenter reproducibility study

Abstract

This study sought to determine the multicenter reproducibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the compatibility of different scanner platforms in assessing carotid plaque morphology and composition. A standardized multi-contrast MRI protocol was implemented at 16 imaging sites (GE: 8; Philips: 8). Sixty-eight subjects (61 ± 8 years; 52 males) were dispersedly recruited and scanned twice within 2 weeks on the same magnet. Images were reviewed centrally using a streamlined semiautomatic approach. Quantitative volumetric measurements on plaque morphology (lumen, wall, and outer wall) and plaque tissue composition [lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), calcification, and fibrous tissue] were obtained. Inter-scan reproducibility was summarized using the within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Good to excellent reproducibility was observed for both morphological (ICC range 0.98–0.99) and compositional (ICC range 0.88–0.96) measurements. Measurement precision was related to the size of structures (CV range 2.5–4.9 % for morphology, 36–44 % for LRNC and calcification). Comparable measurement variability was found between the two platforms on both plaque morphology and tissue composition. In conclusion, good to excellent inter-scan reproducibility of carotid MRI can be achieved in multicenter settings with comparable measurement precision between platforms, which may facilitate future multicenter endeavors that use serial MRI to monitor atherosclerotic plaque progression.

HDL efflux capacity, HDL particle size, and high-risk carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of asymptomatic older adults: the Chicago Healthy Aging Study

“…All images were analyzed by trained readers who were blinded to clinical data. Plaque measurement reproducibility of MRI of the carotid artery analyzed by using Cascade has been reported previously (17)(18)(19). Each case was analyzed by two reviewers who arrived at a consensus opinion before recording the data.…”

In vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance of 2D vessel wall diffusion anisotropy in carotid arteries

“…However, these imaging techniques are applied mainly to determine the degree of luminal narrowing, which is an indispensable information, but a limited biomarker to determine the true impact on future cardiovascular events [3]. A more advanced imaging technique is multi-contrast CMR which became a well-recognized tool to study the complex composition of atherosclerotic plaques [4, 5]. The intrinsic soft tissue contrast and high spatial resolution makes CMR a well suited tool to delineate key constituents of plaque vulnerability.…”

Reproducibility and differentiation of cervical arteriopathies using in vivo high-resolution black-blood MRI at 3 T

“…In addition, for the specification of disease, our results show an excellent interobserver agreement both on a per-patient level (Cohen's κ = 0.82) and on a per-vessel level (Cohen's κ = 0.83), which further demonstrates that the proposed imaging criteria can be used successfully by different readers. Recently, Sun et al reported a good to excellent interscan reproducibility of carotid MRI in patients with atherosclerotic disease, even in a multi-center setting with 3-T scanners of different vendors [13].…”