Monocyte Subsets and Related Chemokines in Carotid Artery Stenosis and Ischemic Stroke.

Carotid stenosis (CS) is an important cause of ischemic stroke. However, reliable markers for the purpose of identification of high-risk, so-called vulnerable carotid plaques, are still lacking. Monocyte subsets are crucial players in atherosclerosis and might also contribute to plaque rupture.