Carotid artery atherosclerosis: mechanisms of instability and clinical implications

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading global cause of death and disability.
• Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a key risk factor for ischemic stroke and other cardiovascular events.
• Plaque instability, not just stenosis, can lead to cerebrovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of imaging modalities and biomarkers in characterizing carotid plaque.
• To emphasize identifying high-risk individuals for early intervention.
• To discuss personalized therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on carotid imaging techniques.
• Analysis of biomarkers and risk stratification tools for plaque assessment.
• Synthesis of evidence on plaque features and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Carotid imaging provides in vivo plaque characterization for risk stratification.
• Non-stenotic plaques can pose significant cerebrovascular event risk.
• Integrated approaches using imaging and biomarkers enhance risk identification.

Conclusions:

• Identifying high-risk carotid plaque is crucial for preventing stroke.
• Current imaging and biomarkers aid in personalized risk stratification.
• Early intervention and tailored therapies improve cardiovascular disease outcomes.