Technologies

Invention:

A molecular probe that enables a non-invasive method for detecting vulnerable plaque in the carotid artery prior to its rupture.

Background:

Approximately 140,000 Americans die from stroke—these stroke-caused deaths occur every four minutes. Carotid atherosclerotic disease causes between 20% and 25% of all strokes. A carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a surgical procedure to remove plaque in the carotid artery, which reduces the stroke rate. The benefits of CEA surgeries are much greater in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients. There is a need for a non-invasive imaging method for determining which asymptomatic patients may benefit from CEA surgical therapy.