Atherosclerotic carotid arteries - calcification and radio-morphological findings

Objectives: Are there any predictable factors influencing the process of ca lcification in carotid arteries? Background: The carotid arteries and especially the carotid bifurcation are one of the predisposed regions of atherosclerotic disease. Whether topogra phy of the carotid sinus, flow patterns or different patient characteristic s (e.g., diabetes mellitus, age, sex) are a factor determining calcificatio n of atherosclerotic lesions is still hardly understood. Methods: Morphological and morphometrical analysis including radiographic c lassification of different degrees of calcification on postmortal carotid a rteries (90 men and 19 women) and 306 surgical samples after intramural des obliterations of carotid arteries (202 patients with diabetes, 104 patients without diabetes), Results: Most common localization of radiographically identified calcified deposits are the carotid bulb (76 %) especially on the lateral wall opposit e the flow divider and the internal carotid artery (55 %) especially the pr oximal 1 cm section. No difference in degree of calcification was found whe n comparing patients with and without diabetes (intermediate calcification in 59 % of patients with diabetes and 50 % without diabetes). More female p atients with diabetes show calcification when compared to the group of pati ents without diabetes. Females produce calcification in atherosclerotic car otid lesions at an older age compared to male patients. Conclusions: Calcification is a frequent finding in advanced atheroscleroti c carotid lesions. There is no difference in regard to degree, pattern of c alcification or age distribution when comparing patients with and without d iabetes mellitus. Atherosclerotic lesions more frequently found in female p atients with diabetes may be due to less vasoprotection by estrogens.