Age and coumarin-type anticoagulation are associated with the occurrence of intraplaque hemorrhage, while statins are associated less with intraplaque hemorrhage: a large histopathological study in carotid and femoral plaques

IntroductionIntraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is an important determinant of progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. We recently demonstrated that IPH is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events after carotid endarterectomy. Thus far, it is unknown whether clinical patient characteristics, such as medication use, are associated with the occurrence of IPH. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of IPH with clinical patient characteristics.Methods and results1070 consecutive patients who underwent a carotid (n = 794) or femoral (n = 276) endarterectomy were included. Endarterectomy specimens were subjected to histopathological examination. IPH was observed in 644/794 (81%) carotid and 175/276 (63%) femoral plaques. Carotid IPH was positively correlated with advanced age (69 years IQR: 62–75] vs. 65 years IQR: 57–73]; P = 0.002) and coumarin-type anticoagulation use prior to operation (104/116 90%] with coumarin derivatives vs. 540/678 80%] without coumarin derivatives; P = 0.01). Carotid IPH was less frequently observed in patients that used statins prior to endarterectomy (468/595 79%] with statin vs. 176/199 88%] without statin; P = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, age, coumarin-type anticoagulation use and statin use were independently correlated with carotid IPH. No association was observed between femoral IPH and clinical patient characteristics.ConclusionAdvanced age and coumarin-type anticoagulation use are associated with the occurrence of IPH, while statin use is associated with less IPH.