Atherosclerosis of the Thoracic Aorta

ata from pathology (1), transesophageal echocardiography TEE) (2), and, more recently, scanning and magnetic resoance imaging (3) studies have shown that atherosclerotic isease of the aortic arch is an independent risk factor for ischemic troke, associated with a high risk of recurrent vascular events. hese findings have been summarized in the literature (4,5) nd confirmed in a meta-analysis (6), and establish a link etween the presence of atherosclerotic disease in the aortic rch and risk of ischemic stroke and vascular events. rognostic implications. Atherosclerotic disease of the aoric arch with large plaques ( 4 mm in thickness) is present in ne-third of patients with cryptogenic stroke, and accounts for ne-third of the population with total ischemic stroke age 60 ears or older who have at least 1 vascular risk factor (7). In ddition to aortic plaque thickness, data from clinical and ase-control studies suggest that morphologic parameters such s ulcerations, calcifications (8), superimposed thrombus, nd/or hypoechoic plaques may better characterize plaques ssociated with an increased risk of complications (9).