TIME-DEPENDENT BIOPATHOLOGICAL ALTERNATIONS IN CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUES FROM SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS

Background and Aims: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death in industrials societies. Nevertheless, little is known about the optimal surgical time point after the occurrence of a neurological index event (IE) in symptomatic patients. The aim of the current work was to determine disease-relevant pathological factors, following the event. Particular attention was put on macrophage subtypes and fate decision in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) within the atherosclerotic plaques.