CT-Based Plaque Analysis for Stroke Prevention
Elucid, a U.S.-based AI medical technology company, has announced the release of PlaqueIQ, the first and only CT-based plaque analysis software indicated for the carotid vasculature. The software provides quantitative and qualitative assessment of plaque morphology, helping physicians identify plaques most at risk of rupture and guiding individualized treatment strategies to prevent ischemic stroke.
PlaqueIQ is part of Elucid’s mission to provide non-invasive, quantitative imaging tools that give clinicians a deeper understanding of atherosclerosis biology, moving beyond traditional stenosis-based assessments.
Enhancing Diagnostic Precision
PlaqueIQ enables the classification and quantification of plaque composition, including identification of the lipid-rich necrotic core — a plaque type strongly associated with both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. Using CT Virtual Histology, it offers the first FDA-cleared, non-invasive method to assess plaque biology based on objective histological data.
“The ability to characterize plaque composition precisely revolutionizes carotid stroke risk assessment,” said Dr. David Deaton, surgeon and vascular specialist, adjunct associate professor of surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. “Plaque composition has long been recognized as a critical risk element for stroke but was not available with conventional imaging techniques. Precise determination of plaque composition supersedes the traditional stenosis assessment and allows a more accurate identification of patients at highest risk for carotid stroke and facilitates procedural choice and planning.”
“For years, we’ve used CT to quantify coronary plaque and personalize prevention, and now being able to do the same with the carotid arteries is a game-changer,” added Dr. Alberto Morales, founder of South Tampa Cardiology. “This technology finally lets us measure and monitor carotid plaque biology, not just anatomy, giving a more complete picture of stroke risk and overall vascular health.”
Integration Across Coronary and Carotid Imaging
When applied to both coronary and carotid arteries, PlaqueIQ provides a comprehensive assessment of systemic atherosclerotic risk within a single scan. The software supports personalized care planning, enabling clinicians to monitor plaque progression and optimize preventive or interventional strategies.
“At Elucid, it’s our mission to go after the number one source of heart attack and stroke, and that is plaque wherever it occurs in the coronary or carotid vasculature,” said Kelly Huang, PhD, CEO of Elucid. “We envision a day when, with just one scan, physicians can gain a powerful understanding of systemic atherosclerotic risk to personalize treatment and monitor the whole patient.”
Source: Elucid
