Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, S1936878X2300431X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2023.09.005 Dr. Luca Saba et al.
Points
- Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a common risk factor for acute ischemic stroke, but the lack of consensus in reporting and interpreting plaque features has created challenges.
- A panel of experts developed the Plaque-Reporting And Data System (Plaque-RADS) score to provide a standardized and comprehensive framework for assessing carotid plaque.
- Plaque-RADS spans from grade 1 (absence of plaque) to grade 4 (complicated plaque), offering a universal classification system applicable to researchers and clinicians.
- This scoring system is designed for various imaging modalities, including ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, enhancing its utility in clinical practice.
- Plaque-RADS has the potential to improve patient care by helping identify individuals who may benefit from specific medical interventions while also promoting better communication among radiologists, referring clinicians, and scientists in the assessment and management of carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Summary
Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a prevalent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke, affecting a substantial portion of the general population. Despite the recognition of morphological characteristics of vulnerable plaques, there exists a lack of consensus in reporting and interpreting these features. To address this issue, a panel of experts embarked on a mission to introduce the Plaque-Reporting And Data System (Plaque-RADS) score, a standardized and comprehensive approach for imaging and reporting carotid plaque.
The Plaque-RADS system was developed through a consensus-driven approach that drew upon existing literature and employed a multi-modality analysis. This classification system offers a universal framework for researchers and clinicians. It ranges from grade 1, signifying the complete absence of plaque, to grade 4, representing complicated plaque. In addition to providing a standardized lexicon for carotid plaque assessment, the Plaque-RADS score incorporates visual examples to facilitate a clear understanding of the different categories.
Plaque-RADS is designed to be a reliable and standardized system for reporting carotid plaque composition and morphology, allowing its application through various imaging modalities such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This scoring system holds the potential to assist in the precise identification of patients who would benefit from exclusive medical intervention and those who may require alternative treatments, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care. The structured reporting offered by Plaque-RADS promises to improve communication among radiologists, referring clinicians, and scientists, contributing to a more practical approach to managing carotid artery atherosclerosis and reducing the risk of ischemic stroke.
Link to the article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1936878X2300431X
References Saba, L., Cau, R., Murgia, A., Nicolaides, A. N., Wintermark, M., Castillo, M., Staub, D., Kakkos, S., Yang, Q., Paraskevas, K. I., Yuan, C., Edjlali, M., Sanfilippo, R., Hendrikse, J., Johansson, E., Mossa-Basha, M., Balu, N., Dichgans, M., Saloner, D., … Saam, T. (2023). Carotid Plaque-RADS, a novel stroke risk classification system. JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, S1936878X2300431X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2023.09.005
