Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosis: Beyond the Gold Standard of DSA

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) has long been considered the gold standard for diagnosing carotid artery disease. However, this invasive procedure exposes patients to radiation and comes with a relatively high cost. Moreover, DSA falls short in its ability to clearly display crucial details such as neovascularization within plaques and small ulcers, which are important factors in assessing stroke risk. Therefore, exploring alternative and complementary imaging techniques alongside DSA is crucial for a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis of carotid artery disease.