Carotid artery calcification and ischemic cerebrovascular disease / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Carotid artery calcification is a calcium deposition on arterial wals. It has a great clinical significance when it occurs within atherosclerotic plaques, which is a marker of the progressive atherosclerosis. In recent years, the studies on the mechanism of carotid artery calcification and imaging detection methods are continuously advancing and being updated. In addition, the correlation between carotid plaque calcification and ischemic cerebrovascular disease and the effect on its therapeutic decisions are also the research foci. However, there have been controversies about the advantages and disadvantages of carotid artery calcification. Some researchers believe that carotid artery calcifications are a protective factor, but others believe that they may promote the plaque vulnerability. This article reviews the recent progress in research on carotid artery calcification from the above aspects.