5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  A longitudinal study found that calcified plaques in carotid atherosclerosis are more likely to develop intraplaque hemorrhage.

• 2

  The study tracked 802 asymptomatic adults over 6 years using MRI, revealing patterns of plaque progression.

• 3

  Baseline calcification was linked to a twofold increased risk of developing intraplaque hemorrhage.

• 4

  Men showed a higher likelihood of plaque progression to multicomponent lesions with intraplaque hemorrhage than women.

• 5

  The study indicates that plaque composition, especially calcification, may affect future vulnerability to hemorrhage.