Key result
Symptomatic carotid arteries show narrower baseline calcifications and greater two-year longitudinal growth than asymptomatic arteries.
Why the study?
Carotid calcification impacts plaque stability, but the link between carotid calcification geometric features and ischemic events remains to be identified.
Are geometric features and temporal changes of carotid calcifications associated with ischemic events?
Observational (n=64)
Are geometric features and temporal changes of carotid calcifications associated with ischemic events?
Symptomatic carotid arteries exhibit distinct calcification morphometrics, specifically smaller and longitudinally growing calcifications, which may help identify high-risk plaques.
Narrower, elongating carotid calcifications were associated with symptoms; leaves open their role in prospective plaque risk stratification.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: While calcification is a highly prevalent component in atherosclerotic extracranial carotid arteries and is known to impact plaque stability, the link between carotid calcification and ischemic events is yet to be identified. We aimed to investigate the associations of geometric features of carotid calcifications, and their temporal changes, with ischemic events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 128 mildly stenotic carotid arteries (Plaque At Risk study) from 64 patients with recent ischemic event, using multi-detector computed tomography angiography data at baseline and after 2 years. The 3D artery and calcification geometries were reconstructed with a semi-automatic pipeline, and an in-depth calcification morphometric assessment was performed. We examined the distribution of the calcification morphometrics and their temporal changes and investigated their associations with ischemic events at the time of inclusion, using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: [3.5-5.8]) and narrower (mean width [95%CI]: 2.7 mm [2.3-3.4] vs. 3.1 mm [2.5-3.6]). At 2-year follow-up, adjusting for baseline measurements, these calcifications were smaller (mean width [95%CI]: 2.9 mm [2.5-3.5] vs. 3.3 mm [2.7-3.7]) and longer (mean [95%CI]: 8.6 mm [7.1-10.5] vs. 7.5 mm [6.3-9.5]) compared to asymptomatic side. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic carotid arteries presented more and smaller calcifications with a tendency to grow more in the longitudinal artery direction, providing insights into the role of carotid calcifications in ischemic events.
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Tziotziou et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Mildly stenotic carotid arteries with recent ischemic event (n=64). Symptomatic carotid arteries vs. Asymptomatic carotid arteries was evaluated on Calcification width at baseline (mm). Symptomatic carotid arteries had narrower calcifications at baseline (2.7 mm vs 3.1 mm) and grew longer over 2 years compared to asymptomatic arteries.
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