JDMS Article - SDMS CME Credit

Article: Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Identification of Neovascularization Permits Characterization of Vulnerable Carotid Plaques

Authors: Jim Baun, BS, RDMS, RVT, FSDMS

Category: Vascular [VT]

Credit: 0.5 SDMS CME Credit

Objectives: After studying the article entitled “Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Identification of Neovascularization Permits Characterization of Vulnerable Carotid Plaques,” you will be able to:

1. Describe characteristics of vulnerable plaque

2. Identify advantages of using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in carotid imaging

3. Discuss the sensitivity of CEUS in the identification of plaque ulceration

1. Which characteristic is a major feature of lesion vulnerability?

2. Neovascularization

3. Thin fibrous cap

4. Large lipid core

Carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease accounts for how much of all cerebral ischemic events (CIEs)?

1%–15%

16%–49%

20%–25%

50%–69%

Which type of plaque is more likely to give rise to ischemic events?

Fibrous

Soft

Vulnerable

Calcific

What is an advantage of using CEUS in carotid imaging?

Differentiate low-risk from high-risk lesions

Determine plaque morphology

Identify intimal-medial thickness

Increased accuracy of velocity measurements

What is the sensitivity of CEUS compared to gray-scale with color Doppler imaging in the identification of ulcerative plaque?

77%, 50%

41%, 48%

59%, 77%

88%, 41%