Progression of carotid plaque burden in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
10.1007/s44313-025-00098-y
- Author:
Seong Soon KWON
1
;
Sun Young JEONG
;
Min‑Young LEE
;
Kyoung Ha KIM
;
Namsu LEE
;
Jong‑Ho WON
;
Seug Yun YOON
Author Information
1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:RESEARCH
- From:Blood Research
2025;60():48-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Prevention of vascular events is the main objective in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). Carotid ultrasonography (USG) is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to stratify cardiovascular and stroke risks. In our previous study, carotid plaque burden was significantly higher in patients with PV/ET than in the general population. This study aimed to determine changes in carotid plaques in patients with PV/ET.
Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with ET/PV who had undergone carotid USG at least twice.
Results:Of the 56 patients, 30 had PV and 26 had ET. The carotid plaque score was increased in the follow-up carotid USG compared with that in the initial carotid USG (3.38 ± 1.47 vs. 3.73 ± 1.46, p = 0.0139). The carotid plaque burden at the time of follow-up carotid USG showed no significant differences in patients with a complete hematologic response (CHR); however, it significantly worsened in patients who failed to achieve CHR.
Conclusion:We confirmed that the carotid plaque burden persisted during follow-up in patients with PV/ET. A CHR may prevent an increase in carotid plaque burden.
