Objective: To evaluate plaque vulnerability by carotid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and to analyze the correlation between plaque vulnerability and peripheral blood leukocyte classification.
Materials and methods: 135 patients with carotid plaque were examined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Plaque vulnerability was assessed by semiquantitative visual classification. Baseline clinical data and peripheral leukocyte classification were collected. Ordered logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between plaque neovascularization grade and peripheral leukocyte classification count.
Results: There were significant differences in leukocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, mean platelet volume, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts between different neovascular plaque grades and peripheral blood (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that leukocyte, monocyte, and neutrophil counts were significantly positively correlated.
Conclusion: The increase in plaque neovascularization is associated with an increase in circulating leukocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils. Therefore, CEUS combined with peripheral blood leukocytes may serve as an early warning of plaque vulnerability and provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment.
Keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; carotid plaque; inflammation; leukocyte.