Sexual dimorphism in pathogenic variant-harbouring individuals.

Background: Individuals harbouring pathogenic variants are at risk for aneurysms/dissections throughout the arterial tree. Based on prior reports of sex differences in thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection, we investigated the sexual dimorphism for vascular events in variant-harbouring patients.

Methods: We analysed two large pedigrees comprising 84 individuals segregating pathogenic missense variants affecting the same p.

Novel theranostic approaches to neovascularized atherosclerotic plaques.

As the global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease continues to rise, there is an increased demand for improved imaging techniques for earlier detection of atherosclerotic plaques and new therapeutic targets. Plaque lesions, vulnerable to rupture and thrombosis, are thought to be responsible for the majority of cardiovascular events, and are characterized by a large lipid core, a thin fibrous cap, and neovascularization. In addition to supplying the plaque core with increased inflammatory factors, these pathological neovessels are tortuous and leaky, further increasing the risk of intraplaque hemorrhage.

Vascularized Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque Models for the Validation of Novel Methods of Quantifying Intraplaque Neovascularization.

Background: Intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in advanced lesions of the carotid artery has been linked to plaque progression and risk of rupture. Quantitative measurement of IPN may provide a more powerful tool for the detection of such "vulnerable" plaque than the current visual scoring method. The aim of this study was to develop a phantom platform of a neovascularized atherosclerotic plaque within a carotid artery to assess new methods of quantifying IPN.