New MRI scan predicts stroke risk and promises to save lives

A new type of MRI scan can predict the risk of having a stroke, researchers have revealed.

The non-invasive technique was developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, and predicts whether plugs in the carotid arteries are rich in cholesterol and therefore more likely to cause a stroke.

The study, published in the journal JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, created a test that produces a quantitative test, whereas traditionally the risk of stroke is measured by the size of the plague in the carotid artery.

The scientists used the new scan to measure the amount of cholesterol in the carotid plaques of 26 patients scheduled for surgery. After the plaques were removed, the team looked at the cholesterol content in each plaque and found that the new technique was accurate.

Luca Biasiolli, co-author of the study, said: “When someone goes to hospital having suffered a minor stroke, it’s vital that doctors know whether the patient might be at risk of a further stroke, which could be fatal.

“Being able to quantify cholesterol in carotid plaques is a really exciting prospect, as this new MRI technique could help doctors to identify patients at higher risk of stroke and make more informed decisions on their treatments.”

Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This exciting research opens up the possibility that in the future we may be able to more accurately identify people with carotid plaques that are likely to rupture and cause a stroke.

“These patients can then be treated earlier – for example, with surgery to remove the plaque – while others might be spared surgery altogether. More research is now necessary before this advance can come into routine clinical practice. However, if successful this technique has the promise to save lives.”