Key result
High carotid plaque mast cells linked to ~46% higher 3-year cardiovascular event risk.
Why the study?
Previous human autopsy, animal, and cell culture studies suggested mast cells contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation and vulnerability via intraplaque neovascularization, but their association with microvessel density and future cardiovascular events in human plaques was unclear.
Are high intraplaque mast cell numbers associated with increased future cardiovascular events in patients with carotid artery stenosis?
Population
270 patients with carotid artery stenosis
Comparison
High vs low intraplaque mast cell numbers
Design
Cohort study
Follow-up
3 years
Authors
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May identify higher-risk carotid stenosis patients; extends preclinical data but leaves open therapeutic implications.
Cohort (n=270)
Are high intraplaque mast cell numbers associated with increased future cardiovascular events in patients with carotid artery stenosis?
Absolute Event Rate: 40.8% vs 27.9%
p-value: p=0.025
High mast cell numbers in carotid atherosclerotic plaques are independently associated with increased intraplaque microvessel density and future adverse cardiovascular events.
Willems et al. (2013) conducted a cohort in Carotid artery stenosis (n=270). High intraplaque mast cell numbers vs. Low intraplaque mast cell numbers was evaluated on Cardiovascular events (p=0.025). High intraplaque mast cell numbers in patients with carotid artery stenosis were independently associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular events over 3 years (40.8% vs 27.9%; P=0.025).
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