High-resolution vessel wall MRI (vwMRI) is a novel imaging technique that allows direct visualization of intracranial vasculature. Vessel wall enhancement identifies inflammatory plaque. MACE is a composite endpoint relevant to unstable or inflamed plaque, composed of nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular deaths. Clinical experience suggests that patients who have inflamed plaque on vwMRI have a higher incidence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease; however, no investigation has been performed to provide a definite answer.

At the University of Utah Health, we have completed over 700 vwMRIs from January 2015 through January 2020, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the incidence rate of recurrent cardio or cerebrovascular disease. In this study, we are retrospectively collecting basic demographic, clinical and radiological data and prospectively surveying individual participants to identified the MACE outcome.  

Preliminary results are completed on 34 patients, 55.8% are female with an average age of 55.9±15.5 years. 52.9% of the patients were hospitalized during the vwMRI for various reasons includes ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, vasculitis, and aneurysm. Of the 34 patients that has been surveyed; 14 (41.2%) patients reported new neurological symptoms including 3 (9%) recurrent strokes.