Evoluzione nella diagnostica non invasiva della placca carotidea a rischio emboligeno

EVOLUTION IN NON-INVASIVE DIAGNOSIS OF CAROTID "HIGH RISK" PLAQUE The diffusion in recent years of TEA (Thromboendarterectomy) of the carotid bifurcation has given rise to the problem of carefully choosing patients with the aim of selecting those with "high risk plaques". The Echo-Color-Doppler non invasive method of investigation has recently prooved to be extremely effective in the study of the morphology of "hign risk plaques", giving results more significant then Angiography. The advantages and results of this technique are described studying a group of over 4,300 patients examined using a computerized program which analizes the direct vision of the plaque divided into components (lipidic, fibrotic and calcified). The use of this computerized program together with the Echo-Color-Doppler seems particularly effective in the evaluation of the modifications of the plaque over a period of time. We hope the program will be able to provide interesting data concerning rate of progression of the plaque, eventual regression and incidence of components within yhe plaque, with and without treatment.