Stabilization of symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques by statins: a clinico-pathological analysis.

ABSTRACT: Human and animal studies have revealed a stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques by statins. However, the stabilization of human carotid plaques has not been thoroughly described pathologically. This analysis explored the relationship between statin therapy and plaque stability in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens. We analyzed specimens harvested between May 2015 and February 2017, from 79 consecutive patients presenting with > 70% carotid artery stenoses, of whom 66 were untreated (group 1) and 13 treated (group 2) with a statin. Immunohistochemistry was performed, using an endothelial specific antibody to CD31, CD34 and platelet derived growth factor receptor-β. The prevalence of plaque ruptures (P = 0.009), lumen thrombi (P = 0.009), inflammatory cells (P = 0.008), intraplaque hem

SUBMITTER: Konishi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6208692 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature