Carotid Plaque Imaging Project (CPIP)

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque with thrombosis or embolization often underlie heart attacks and strokes. The early identification of patients with atherosclerotic plaques prone to rupture or erosions, vulnerable plaques (VP), and their treatment before the occurrence of events is, therefore, one of the greatest cardiovascular challenges today. Possible approaches for early detection of VP include imaging techniques allowing visualization of plaque structure, circulating biomarkers and better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the disease. In the carotid plaque imaging project the investigators study human atherosclerotic plaques (that are removed by endarterectomy) to disclose their underlying structure and mechanisms, finding possible novel therapeutic targets or markers for VP. The investigators also study plaque structure with imaging methods and try to develop new ways to detect VP using circulating or imaging markers.

Official Title
-----------------
Carotid Plaque Imaging Project (Identification of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques With Imaging and Biological Markers)

Conditions
-----------------
Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerotic Plaque

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Observational study


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Patients older than 18 years old, male or female that are eligible for carotid endarterectomy due to atherosclerosis and that can provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Patients younger than 18 years old that cannot provide informed consent; pregnant.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Carotid Plaque Imaging Project (CPIP)<br> | Other: Observational study<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of participants suffering post-operative cardiovascular events (by 2025) | Post-operative myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, amaurosis fugax, cardiovascular death (according to Swedish National Registers) | Follow up assessment year 2025 (recording of events occurring since 2023) | 
| Number of participants suffering post-operative cardiovascular events (by 2027) | Post-operative myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, amaurosis fugax, cardiovascular death (according to Swedish National Registers) | Follow up assessment year 2027 (recording of events occurring since 2025) | 
| Number of participants suffering post-operative cardiovascular events (by 2029) | Post-operative myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, amaurosis fugax, cardiovascular death (according to Swedish National Registers) | Follow up assessment year 2029 (recording of events occurring since 2027) |