Age-associated changes in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Aging Research
• Pathology

Background:

• Limited understanding of age-related changes in carotid plaque morphology.
• Few studies have investigated modifications within atherosclerotic lesions over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current knowledge on age-related changes in carotid plaque composition.
• To assess the potential impact of these changes on cardiovascular events.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing studies on carotid plaque morphology in the elderly.
• Analysis of reported changes in plaque composition, cellularity, and vulnerability markers.

Main Results:

• Atherosclerotic plaques show distinct alternations with advanced age, though results are often ambiguous.
• Plaque morphology shifts towards features of instability (e.g., increased lipid core, calcification) but not necessarily increased vulnerability.
• Reduced inflammatory cells and no clear association between thin fibrous cap and aging were observed.

Conclusions:

• Carotid atherosclerotic lesion composition changes moderately with aging, influenced by lifestyle, disease, and genetics.
• Age-associated plaque morphology suggests a trend towards vulnerability, but the impact is less severe than anticipated.
• The precise contribution of age-related plaque changes to cardiovascular events remains to be fully elucidated.