Meta-Analysis of Carotid Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography to Assess the Activity of Takayasu Arteritis.

Objectives: This meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic value of carotid contrast ultrasonography (CEUS) for disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods: Systematic reviews were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science using the following search terms: Takayasu Arteritis, aortic arch syndrome, pulseless disease, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and CEUS. Studies published from the beginning up until October 2024 were collected. Two researchers performed screening, full-text review, and data extraction. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis.

Results: Nine articles involving 498 patients and 704 carotid artery examinations were included in the study. The combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the curve of CEUS for detecting TAK disease activity were 0.80 (0.76-0.83), 0.71 (0.67-0.74), 3.87 (2.41-6.21), 0.31 (0.22-0.42), 21.87 (11.32-42.23), and 0.8941, respectively.

Conclusion: The assessment of TAK activity using CEUS has certain sensitivity and specificity; as a result, it can be used to judge the condition of patients with TAK and the treatment effect to provide a more comprehensive and reliable objective basis for clinical treatment.