Objective: Severe carotid stenosis is a frequent cause of stroke in both men and women. Whereas several sex-related comparisons are available on coronary atherosclerosis, there are few data appraising gender-specific features of carotid plaques. We aimed to systematically compare the pathology and inflammatory features of carotid plaques in men vs women. Methods: Carotid plaque specimens were collected from patients undergoing surgical endarterectomy for asymptomatic or symptomatic carotid stenosis. Histologic analysis was performed, as well as measurements of plaque composition and inflammation. Results: A total of 457 patients were included (132 women, 325 men). Baseline analyses showed a greater prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and former smoking status in women, despite a higher Framingham Heart Score in men (all P <.05). Women had a lower prevalence of thrombotic plaques, smaller percentage area of necrotic core, and hemorrhage extension (all P <.05). Plaque inflammation analysis showed a lower concentration of inflammatory and, in particular, of macrophage foam cells in the plaque cap of women (both P <.05). These differences were, however, no longer significant at multivariable analysis, including several baseline features, such as symptom status and stenosis severity. Conclusions: Carotid plaques seem significantly different in women and men, but the main drivers of such pathologic differences are baseline features, including stenosis severity and symptom status. © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery.

Sex-related differences in carotid plaque features and inflammation / Sangiorgi, Giuseppe; Roversi, Sara; Biondi Zoccai, Giuseppe; Modena, Maria Grazia; Servadei, Francesca; Ippoliti, Arnaldo; Mauriello, Alessandro. - In: JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY. - ISSN 0741-5214. - 57:2(2013), pp. 338-344. [10.1016/j.jvs.2012.07.052]

Sex-related differences in carotid plaque features and inflammation

Biondi Zoccai, Giuseppe;Modena, Maria Grazia;
2013

Abstract

Objective: Severe carotid stenosis is a frequent cause of stroke in both men and women. Whereas several sex-related comparisons are available on coronary atherosclerosis, there are few data appraising gender-specific features of carotid plaques. We aimed to systematically compare the pathology and inflammatory features of carotid plaques in men vs women. Methods: Carotid plaque specimens were collected from patients undergoing surgical endarterectomy for asymptomatic or symptomatic carotid stenosis. Histologic analysis was performed, as well as measurements of plaque composition and inflammation. Results: A total of 457 patients were included (132 women, 325 men). Baseline analyses showed a greater prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and former smoking status in women, despite a higher Framingham Heart Score in men (all P <.05). Women had a lower prevalence of thrombotic plaques, smaller percentage area of necrotic core, and hemorrhage extension (all P <.05). Plaque inflammation analysis showed a lower concentration of inflammatory and, in particular, of macrophage foam cells in the plaque cap of women (both P <.05). These differences were, however, no longer significant at multivariable analysis, including several baseline features, such as symptom status and stenosis severity. Conclusions: Carotid plaques seem significantly different in women and men, but the main drivers of such pathologic differences are baseline features, including stenosis severity and symptom status. © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery.
2013
57
2
338
344
Sex-related differences in carotid plaque features and inflammation / Sangiorgi, Giuseppe; Roversi, Sara; Biondi Zoccai, Giuseppe; Modena, Maria Grazia; Servadei, Francesca; Ippoliti, Arnaldo; Mauriello, Alessandro. - In: JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY. - ISSN 0741-5214. - 57:2(2013), pp. 338-344. [10.1016/j.jvs.2012.07.052]
Sangiorgi, Giuseppe; Roversi, Sara; Biondi Zoccai, Giuseppe; Modena, Maria Grazia; Servadei, Francesca; Ippoliti, Arnaldo; Mauriello, Alessandro...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1148345
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