Table 2.

Prospective carotid plaque imaging studies.

Study	Study sites, start dates	Patient selection and imaging	Primary outcome	Secondary outcome
The carotid plaque imaging in acute stroke study (CAPIAS) (40)	• Initiated Feb 2011 • 3 Sites: Interdisciplinary Stroke Center in Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-University), Technical University Munich, University of Freiburg • Observational cohort study; • NCT01284933	• Age >49 years • Stroke or TIA with symptom onset within 7 days • 1 or more acute ischemic lesion(s) on DWI in the territory of a single internal carotid artery • <70% stenosis by NASCET in carotid artery ipsilateral to stroke or TIA defined by US • Carotid artery plaques in the ipsi- or contra-lateral carotid artery as defined by ultrasound (plaque thickness at least 2 mm; located within 1 cm proximal or distal to the carotid bifurcation) • Excluded if history of neck radiation, DWI positive lesions outside territory of a single ICA; surgery within 24 hours prior to MRI • All subjects imaged with VW-MRI at baseline and 12 months follow-up • Subgroup imaged with dynamic CE VW-MRI to visualize neovascularization and inflammation • Subgroup imaged with 18F-FDG PET/MRI at baseline to quantify plaque inflammation	Prevalence of complicated AHA-LT VI plaques	• Association of AHA-LT VI plaques with recurrence rates of ischemic events up to 36 months • Rates of new ischemic lesions on cerebral MRI (including clinically silent lesions) after 12 months • Influence of specific AHA-LT VI plaque features on the progression of atherosclerotic disease burden, infarct patterns, biomarkers and aortic arch plaques
Chinese Atherosclerosis Risk Evaluation (CARE II) (46)	• Sites: 13 medical centers and hospitals in China and University of Washington • Cross-sectional study; • NCT02017756	• Stroke or TIA within 2 weeks • Carotid plaque in at least 1 carotid artery with wall thickness ≥1.5, as defined by US • Exclude cardiogenic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, neck radiation, unable to undergo MRI • Carotid VW-MRI and routine brain MRI	Prevalence and characteristics of specific VW-MRI features of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque in Chinese patients with stroke or TIA	• Association of carotid plaque features and cerebral infarcts • Differences of carotid plaque patterns among different regions in China • Gender specific characteristics of carotid plaque in Chinese patients with stroke
Plaque At RISK (PARISK) (47)	• Observational cohort study • 4 Sites: Academic Medical Center Amsterdam; Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam; Maastricht University Medical Center; University Medical Center Utrecht	• TIA, amaurosis fugax or minor stroke (modified Rankin scale ≤3) of the carotid artery territory and an atherosclerotic plaque with <70% stenosis of the ipsilateral ICA • No revascularization procedure • Exclude cardioembolic course, clotting disorder, unable to undergo MRI with contrast • Imaging performed within 5-day window of symptom onset • Baseline: Carotid VW-MRI, MRI brain, CTA, TCD, US, & biomarkers • 2 years: Carotid VW-MRI (subset), CTA, TCD, Carotid US, Brain MRI (all)	Identify whether VW-MRI, multidetector CTA, US and/or transcranial Doppler will predict future ischemic events in symptomatic patients with <70% carotid stenosis Endpoint: ipsilateral recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA and/or ipsilateral ischemic brain lesion on follow-up brain MRI	• Identify determinants for plaque progression • Examine relationship between plaque characteristics, microemboli, and vascular damage on brain MRI • Determine associations between blood biomarkers and plaque parameters

VW-MRI, vessel wall MRI; TIA, transient ischemic attack; US, ultrasound, MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, AHA-LT VI, American Heart Association-Lesion Type VI; CTA, computed tomography angiography; TCD, transcranial doppler; US, ultrasound.