Correlation between new atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability markers and the carotid magnetic resonance images in hyperlipidemic patients treated with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors

Background and Aims: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, progressive, chronic inflammatory disease. The most accurate predictors of atherosclerotic plaque destabilization are imaging techniques, specifically ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cytokines such as osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, and metalloproteinase 9 could be used as the most recent markers to identify and monitor the efficacy of anti-atherosclerotic therapy.