Assessment of Inflammatory Burden Contralateral to the Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis Using High-Resolution Ultrasmall, Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide–Enhanced MRI

Abstract

This study adds weight to the argument that atherosclerosis is a truly systemic disease. It suggests that investigation of the contralateral side in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis can demonstrate inflammation in 95% of plaques, despite a mean stenosis of only 46%. Thus, inflammatory activity may be a significant risk factor in asymptomatic disease in patients who have known contralateral symptomatic disease. Patients with symptomatic carotid disease should have their contralateral carotid artery followed up.