Carotid intraplaque neovascularization for predicting ischemic cerebrovascular events in patients with hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with hypertension are prone to developing carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and unstable plaques are a key contributor to ischemic cerebrovascular events (ICEs), including transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and ischemic strokes. Intraplaque neovascularization (IPN), the formation of microvessels within plaques, is a recognized marker of plaque vulnerability. This study aimed to evaluate the association between IPN in carotid plaques and the risk of ICEs in older adult patients with hypertension.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 438 patients with hypertension aged ≥60 years. Carotid plaques were assessed with superb microvascular imaging (SMI), and IPN was graded from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). Patients were followed up for 3 years to track the

SUBMITTER: Mi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12591771 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature