Vitamin D and Vulnerable Carotid Plaque

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Vascular Biology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on MR imaging signifies vulnerable plaque and elevated stroke risk.
• The angiotensin system, implicated in IPH, is modulated by vitamin D.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between low vitamin D levels and the presence of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage in humans.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 65 patients with carotid disease.
• Carotid MR imaging and serum vitamin D level measurements.
• Multivariable Poisson regression and correlation analyses, including histological validation.

Main Results:

• Low vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL) significantly predicted MR imaging-detected IPH (prevalence ratio = 2.05, P = .03).
• IPH volume correlated positively with plaque thickness and low vitamin D levels.
• Histology confirmed a correlation between IPH area and low vitamin D levels.

Conclusions:

• Low vitamin D levels, alongside plaque thickness, are independent predictors of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage.
• These findings establish a significant link between vitamin D deficiency and carotid plaque vulnerability.