Key result
Diabetes and family history of CVD linked to co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial high-risk plaques.
Observational (n=190)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 3.92 (95% CI 1.53–10.04)
p-value: p=0.004
Diabetes and family history of cardiovascular disease are independent risk factors for the presence of co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial high-risk atherosclerotic plaques.
May guide intensified surveillance in select symptomatic patients; leaves open the impact on therapeutic decisions.
Background Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that usually affects multi-vascular beds, and high-risk atherosclerotic plaques (HRPs) are associated with ischemic events. Purpose To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial artery HRPs using magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI). Material and Methods Participants (n = 190; 120 men, mean age = 63.4 ± 9.4 years) with co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial plaques were recruited from a multicenter observational study of CARE-II. All patients underwent carotid MR-VWI and intracranial MRA at 3.0 T. The prevalence of risk factors between the non-HRP, single HRP, and co-existing HRPs groups was compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between risk factors and the three groups. Results Among 190 patients, 77 (40.5%) were in the non-HRP group, 78 (41.1%) were in the single HRP group, and 35 (18.4%) were in the co-existing HRPs groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that patients in the co-existing HRPs group were more likely to have a higher prevalence of diabetes (OR = 3.92, 95% CI = 1.53–10.04; P = 0.004) and family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.26–8.98; P = 0.015) compared to the non-HRP group after adjusting for age, sex, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and smoking. Similarly, patients with co-existing HRPs were more likely to have higher prevalence of diabetes (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.04–5.95; P = 0.040) compared to the single HRP group after adjusting for age, sex, and HDL. Conclusion Co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial artery HRPs are observed in middle-aged and elderly symptomatic atherosclerotic patients. Diabetes and family history of CVD are independent risk factors for co-existing HRPs.
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Chen et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Atherosclerosis with co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial plaques (n=190). Diabetes vs. Non-HRP group was evaluated on Co-existing extracranial carotid and intracranial artery high-risk atherosclerotic plaques (HRPs) (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.53-10.04, p=0.004). Diabetes (OR 3.92; 95% CI 1.53-10.04) and family history of cardiovascular disease (OR 3.37; 95% CI 1.26-8.98) were independent risk factors for co-existing high-risk atherosclerotic plaques.
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