The Evolution of Active Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaques after Stenting - an Observation Using Mr High Resolution Vessel Wall Imaging

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) serve important homeostatic functions in response to blood flow-induced shear stresses (i.e., laminar or turbulent flow). The straight part of the artery exposed to sustained laminar blood flow has the associated regulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Disturbed (turbulent) flow disrupts the regulation mechanisms and promotes ECs’ oxidation, inflammation, and proliferation. High resolution vessel wall imaging (HVW) has been used to visualize the walls of arteries and identify vulnerable (active) atherosclerotic plaques. We proposed intracranial stenting might be a tool to convert turbulent flow to laminar and decrease the vulnerability of plaque. We try to use HVW to monitor the plaque progression after intracranial stenting treatment.