THE ABSENCE OF PCSK9 DETERMINES A LOWER NEOINTIMAL FORMATION IN RESPONSE TO PERIVASCULAR CAROTID COLLAR PLACEMENT

Objectives: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an important regulator of hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels. We have previously shown that PCSK9 is expressed in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and it is detectable in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques.