A longitudinal study tracked 802 adults with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis over 6 years, revealing that calcification in plaques was significantly associated with the development of intraplaque hemorrhage, increasing stroke risk. Baseline calcification was linked to a doubled risk of intraplaque hemorrhage, and the risk was even higher when calcification and lipid-rich necrotic cores were present. The study also highlighted sex-based differences in plaque evolution and suggested the influence of plaque composition on future vulnerability.

Source: RSNA