Initial Experience of Carotid Artery MR Vessel Wall imaging at 5.0T

Motivation: Carotid artery plaque rupture is a major cause of ischemic stroke, making accurate plaque assessment crucial for prevention. Current 3.0T MR imaging lacks sufficient spatial resolution for detailed plaque analysis, motivating exploration at 5.0T. Goal(s): To evaluate the advantages of 5.0T MR imaging for carotid vessel wall visualization and precise evaluation of the plaque components. Approach: The study compared vessel wall imaging at 3.0T and 5.0T in healthy volunteers and patients, using multi-contrast sequences and different spatial resolutions. Results: 5.0T significantly enhances image quality, with improved plaque visualization and black blood uniformity, affirming its potential for precise plaque characterization. Impact: This study demonstrates that 5.0T MR imaging significantly enhances carotid plaque visualization, potentially aiding clinicians in early stroke risk assessment. The findings facilitate future studies on ultra-high field MRI's role in diagnosing vulnerable plaque, advancing preventative stroke care.