Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal prospective biobank study.
Carotid atherosclerotic plaques from 264 asymptomatic patients were harvested during endarterectomy, and subjected to histopathological examination. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1: truly asymptomatic (n聽=聽182), and group 2: patients with ipsilateral events more than 6 months before carotid endarterectomy (CEA) (n聽=聽82).
Patients in group 1 had relatively more stable plaque characteristics as compared with patients in group 2, with a higher median plaque smooth muscle cell content (2.1 (0.0-18.7) vs. 1.6 (0.0-14.4); P聽=聽0.036), a higher proportion of heavily calcified plaques (67.7%(123/182) vs. 48.8%(40/82); P聽=聽0.005) and less frequently intraplaque haemorrhages (11.5%(21/182) vs. 30.5%(25/82); P聽=聽0.001).
Different plaque characteristics within subgroups of ACAS patients can be identified based on reported past ipsilateral events, which might result in adjusted future treatment strategies.