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Sex-Specific Plaque Signature: Uniqueness of Atherosclerosis in Women

  • Lipid Abnormalities and Cardiovascular Prevention (ED Michos, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both men and women, although there are notable differences in presentation between men and women. Atherosclerosis remains the predominant driver of coronary heart disease in both sexes; however, sex differences in atherosclerosis should be investigated further to understand clinical manifestations between men and women.

Recent Findings

There are sex differences in the prevalence, progression, and prognostic impact of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, developing evidence demonstrates unique differences in atherosclerotic plaque characteristics between men and women on both noninvasive and invasive imaging modalities. Coronary microvascular dysfunction may be present even if no obstructive lesions are found. Most importantly, non-obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with a heightened risk of future adverse cardiovascular events and should not be ignored.

Summary

The distinct plaque signature in women should be recognized, and optimal preventive strategies should be performed for both sexes.

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Funding

Dr. Minhas is supported by the NHLBI research training grant T32HL007024. Dr. Michos is supported by the Amato Fund for Women’s Cardiovascular Health Research at Johns Hopkins University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Anum Minhas, Ilton Cubero Salazar, Brigitte Kazzi, Allison G. Hays, Armin Arbab-Zadeh & Erin D. Michos

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Anum Minhas

  3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Radiology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Andrew D. Choi

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  1. Anum Minhas
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Correspondence to Erin D. Michos.

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No conflicts of interest are related to this work. Outside of the submitted work, Dr. Zadeh reports grants from Canon Medical Systems, and Dr. Choi reports other from Cleerly Inc. and grants from GW Heart and Vascular Institute.

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Minhas, A., Cubero Salazar, I., Kazzi, B. et al. Sex-Specific Plaque Signature: Uniqueness of Atherosclerosis in Women. Curr Cardiol Rep 23, 84 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-021-01513-3

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