Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, present epidemiologically in a different way among sexes. The reasons of these sex-based differences should be delved into sex-specific cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and different mechanisms of atherosclerotic progression. Imaging techniques of both carotid and coronary atherosclerotic plaques represent a tool to demonstrate sex-related features which might be used to further and better assess CV risk of male and female population. The aim of this review is to evaluate current knowledge on sex-specific qualitative and quantitative plaque features of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. We also discuss the clinical implication of a sex-based plaque phenotype, evaluated with non-invasive imaging techniques, such as CT-angiography and MRI-angiography, to stratify CV risk.

Quantitative and qualitative features of carotid and coronary atherosclerotic plaque among men and women

Onnis, Carlotta;Cadeddu Dessalvi, Christian;Saba, Luca
Ultimo
2022-01-01

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, present epidemiologically in a different way among sexes. The reasons of these sex-based differences should be delved into sex-specific cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and different mechanisms of atherosclerotic progression. Imaging techniques of both carotid and coronary atherosclerotic plaques represent a tool to demonstrate sex-related features which might be used to further and better assess CV risk of male and female population. The aim of this review is to evaluate current knowledge on sex-specific qualitative and quantitative plaque features of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. We also discuss the clinical implication of a sex-based plaque phenotype, evaluated with non-invasive imaging techniques, such as CT-angiography and MRI-angiography, to stratify CV risk.
2022
CTA computed tomographic angiography; MRA magnetic resonance angiography; atherosclerosis; carotid imaging; coronary imaging; gender; sex-based differences
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/347285
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