Circulating Sex-Specific Markers of Plaque Instability in Women and Men With Severe Carotid Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Our findings demonstrated sex-specific differences, with women displaying more stable plaque phenotypes and favorable circulating profiles compared with men. This proof-of-concept study was also designed as the key first step in exploring novel sex-specific associations between circulating lipid, immune, and adipokine profiles and carotid plaque instability.