Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

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Association between Vascular Calcification and Intraplaque Hemorrhage in Coronary Atherosclerosis from Autopsy: The

Toshiaki Nakano1,2, Hiromasa Kitamura2, Jun Hata1,2,3

  • 1Center for Cohort Studies, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University.

Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
|March 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Vascular calcification significantly increases the risk of intraplaque hemorrhage in coronary arteries. This association is influenced by calcification size and macrophage infiltration, highlighting key factors in atherosclerotic plaque instability.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Atherosclerosis Research
  • Histopathology

Background:

  • Vascular calcification is a hallmark of advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
  • It is hypothesized to increase intraplaque hemorrhage risk and plaque destabilization.
  • Limited histopathological evidence exists for this association.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vascular calcification and intraplaque hemorrhage.
  • Focus on coronary arteries using autopsy samples.

Main Methods:

  • Examined 374 coronary arteries from 126 autopsies.
  • Categorized vascular calcification into no calcification and quintiles of area size.
  • Assessed macrophage infiltration and neovascularization.
  • Used logistic regression to analyze associations.

Main Results:

  • Calcification lesions found in 149 arteries.
  • Fourth quintile of calcification area significantly increased intraplaque hemorrhage likelihood (OR 13.13).
  • Highest odds of hemorrhage linked to large macrophage area and moderate calcification.
  • Hemorrhage risk increased additively with calcification and vessel count.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular calcification is significantly associated with intraplaque hemorrhage.
  • The association may diminish beyond a specific calcification area size.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisAutopsyCalcificationChronic kidney diseasePlaque rapture

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