Analyzing blood flow and plaque characteristics in carotid arteries to improve stroke risk assessment.
Official title: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Computational Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with High Grade Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11257152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special MRI scans can help us understand the shape of plaque and blood flow in people with narrowed carotid arteries, especially those who don’t have symptoms, to see if we can better identify who might need surgery to prevent a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,000 |
| NIH project number | 3F32HL168968-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11257152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis greater than 70%, as diagnosed by ultrasound or angiography.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with less than 70% stenosis or those who are symptomatic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of advanced MRI techniques to analyze the morphology of plaque and blood flow dynamics in patients with significant narrowing of the carotid arteries. By employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, the study aims to better understand the relationship between plaque characteristics and stroke risk, particularly in asymptomatic patients. The goal is to identify patients who may benefit from surgical interventions, such as carotid endarterectomy, based on more than just the degree of stenosis. This approach seeks to enhance patient selection for treatment by incorporating detailed imaging data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification of patients at high risk for stroke, allowing for timely and appropriate interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that advanced imaging techniques can provide valuable insights into plaque vulnerability, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Braet, Drew Jackson — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Braet, Drew Jackson
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.