Natural History and Risk Factors of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke Patients: Impact of Aortic Stiffness and Sex Differences

Natural History and Risk Factors of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke Patients: Impact of Aortic Stiffness and Sex Differences | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Natural History and Risk Factors of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke Patients: Impact of Aortic Stiffness and Sex Differences Ji-Hun Jang, Sung-Hee Shin, Kyu-Yong Ko, Dae-Young Kim, Jonguk Kim, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Aortic atheroma (AA) is an independent risk factor for stroke and may gradually progress, but data on its development are limited. We enrolled 131 stroke patients (mean age 62 ± 10 years, 92 males) undergoing serial transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). AA was graded based on plaque thickness and complexity; progression was defined as an increase in maximum plaque thickness by one grade or more. Aortic stiffness was assessed through pulse wave analysis and global circumferential aorta strain (GCAS) using 2D speckle tracking. The aortic stiffness index (β) was also calculated. Over a median follow-up of 23.6 [20.8–26.8] months, AA progressed in 13 (9.9%), regressed in 14 (10.7%), and remained unchanged in 104 (79.4%). Female patients showed more progression (p < 0.01), while LDL cholesterol levels, statin dose, and baseline plaque thickness were not significantly linked. GCAS and β were significantly associated (p < 0.001 for GCAS; p = 0.041 for β) with AA changes. After adjusting for clinical variables, female gender, GCAS, and β remained significantly related to AA progression (OR 9.06, 95% CI 2.13–50.76, p = 0.005; OR 0.35, 95% CI 00.17–0.62, p < 0.001; OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.19, p = 0.021, respectively). AA exhibits dynamic changes over two years in stroke patients. Female gender and aortic stiffness are significantly associated with AA progression, suggesting that aortic stiffness may influence the course of aortic atherosclerosis. Health sciences/Cardiology Health sciences/Diseases Health sciences/Medical research Health sciences/Risk factors Aortic atheroma stroke aortic stiffness gender transesophageal echocardiography Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Aortic atheroma is an independent risk factor for stroke 1-3 , often exhibiting gradual progression during the clinical course. The size and complexity of aortic atheroma can affect the incidence of stroke events. Prior study showed that individuals with complex aortic plaque, characterized by plaques containing mobile thrombi, ulcerations, or a thickness ≥4 mm, face a fourfold increase in stroke risk compared to those without plaques 4 . Furthermore, such cases independently predicted both recurrence of cerebral infarction and other vascular incidents 5 . The majority of these studies have highlighted a link between atheroma progression and a risk of vascular events 1-7 . Previous studies have demonstrated the natural course of atherosclerosis, including regression or progression. Although some studies showed the association between regression of aortic atheroma and the use of lipid-lowering agents 7-9 , data regarding the other risk factors for aortic atheroma progression still remain limited in the contemporary era characterized by intense statin use. Additionally, there is a lack of research on the vascular properties of the aorta related to aortic atheroma aggravation. Here, we examined the natural trajectory of aortic atheroma in stroke patients. Additionally, we investigated the association of clinical factors and aortic stiffness on speckle-tracking echocardiography and arterial pulse wave analysis (PWA), with temporal changes in aortic plaque. Methods From the stroke registry prospectively collected, we selected the patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) within one month of symptom onset as a part of their stroke workup and who underwent a second TEE at least two years apart. Cerebral infarction of all enrolled patients was confirmed through a brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance images. This study design was approved by the Institutional Review Board (INHAUH2024-03-005-000) and all participants (or their legal guardians) provided written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Assessment of Aortic Atheroma Aortic atheroma was assessed with TEE. Commercially available instruments were utilized for the TEE examinations. Horizontal and longitudinal images of the descending thoracic aorta and aortic arch were observed. The TEE probe was advanced to the mid to lower esophageal level (up to 35-40 cm from the incisors) and subsequently withdrawn slowly to the aortic arch level to scan the descending thoracic aorta and aortic arch. We assessed the aortic plaques, focusing on their thickness, location, and morphology. Plaque thickness was measured at the most severe plaque manifestation, defined as the distance between the medial-adventitial border and the aortic lumen. Any irregular thickening of ≥2 mm detected on TEE was considered as an atheroma 10,11 . Using TEE, aortic atheroma was categorized as mild (2-3mm), moderate (3-5 mm), severe (>5mm), or complex (involving ulceration and/or mobile component) ( Figure 1 ). The progression of aortic atheroma was defined as an increase of maximal plaque thickness by ≥1 grade 10 . Similarly, regression was defined as a decrease in maximal thickness of atheromatous plaque by ≤1 grades. Assessment for Aortic Stiffness and Vascular Properties Aortic stiffness was assessed using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and pulse wave analysis (PWA). Global circumferential aortic strain (GCAS) was measured using a vendor-independent speckle tracking software (Image-Arena 4.6, TomTec Imaging Systems, Unterschleissheim, Germany) among patients with adequate image quality and frame rate (50–80 Hz) for strain analysis. As shown in Supplementary Figure 1 , a line was manually drawn along the inner edge of the aortic wall, and then an additional line near the outer edge of the aortic wall was automatically generated by the software 12 . Considering the small thickness of the aortic wall, the width of the region of interest was adjusted to the minimum allowed by the software. The first systolic frame was usually chosen as the frame of interest to include the maximal wall aortic expansion for strain calculation. Before processing, a cine loop preview feature visually confirmed that the internal line followed the aortic inner side throughout the cardiac cycle. If tracking was suboptimal, manual adjustments of region-of-interest size were performed. The software automatically divided the optimal aortic wall image into 6 equally sized color-coded segments (anteroseptal, anterior, lateral, posterior, inferior, and septal) 13-15 . Quantitative curves were used to represent the two-dimensional speckle tracking variables of different segments of the aortic wall. Peak values of circumferential strain in each segment, which typically appeared near the aortic valvular closure (systole), were identified. GCAS was calculated by averaging the peak circumferential strain values of the 6 segments. A corrected GAAS was calculated as the global GCAS/pulse pressure (PP) 16 . Additionally, we assessed the elastic properties of the aorta. Fractional shortening (FS) and fractional area change (FAC) were defined as the percentage change in diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA), respectively, by 2D tracing between systole and diastole, calculated using the formula: FS (%) = (largest diameter - smallest diameter)/(largest diameter) × 100, FAC (%) = (largest CSA - smallest CSA)/(largest CSA) × 100. Aortic distensibility was calculated as follows: Aortic distensibility (cm 2 /dyn) = (2×GCAS)/systolic blood pressure – diastolic blood pressure) 17 . Furthermore, the aortic stiffness index (β) was calculated as ln(systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure)/GCAS 18 . To investigate vascular properties, we used the SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical Pty Ltd Head Office, West Ryde, Australia) system 19,20 . The examination was performed in a quiet room at a comfortable room temperature, with the patient in a supine position. The carotid and femoral pulse waves were analyzed, estimating the delay in the ECG wave and calculating the pulse wave velocity (PWV). Additionally, the augmentation index (AIx) was estimated from the aortic wave morphology. The AIx was defined as the augmented pressure (magnitude of wave reflection) divided by PP: AIx = pressure increase/PP × 100. As AIx is affected by heart rate, we estimated AIx adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75). We assessed the association of clinical factors and aortic stiffness with the progression of aortic atheroma. Statistical Analysis Continuous variables were described as mean with standard deviation or median with interquartile range, as appropriate. Categorical variables were reported as numbers and percentages. To compare baseline characteristics between the groups, the Student t-test or Mann–Whitney U test was used for continuous variables, and the Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables. ANOVA was used to analyze three or more continuous variables. If the data did not meet the normal distribution assumption, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used. Logistic regression analysis assessed the independent contribution of aortic stiffness and vascular properties in aortic atheroma progression. A comprehensive independent variable set was evaluated, including patient demographics (age and gender), AIx@75, PWV, GCAS, FAC, and β. For all analyses, a 2-sided p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. R statistical software (version 4.1.0; R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) was used for the analysis. Results Baseline characteristics Among the patients from stroke registry, consecutive 1,255 patients underwent TEE within one month of symptom onset. Among them, 168 patients received follow-up TEE at 24.4 ± 10 months. After excluding 37 patients because of insufficient image quality for aortic plaque assessment, 131 patients were finally enrolled. The mean age was 62 ± 10 years, and 92 patients were men. During the median follow-up of 23.6 [20.8-26.8] months, aortic atheroma progressed in 13 (9.9%), regressed in 14 patients (10.7%), and remained unchanged in 104 (79.4%). Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics of the study population according to the change in aortic atheroma. Women had more progression of aortic atheroma compared to the men (14.3% vs. 85.7% in the regression group, 26.9% vs. 73.1% in the group without change, and 69.2% vs. 30.8% in the progression group, p=0.003). Comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes mellitus were comparable across all groups. All patients were on statin medication after index stroke, with 79 patients (60.3%) using high-intensity statins. There were no statistically significant differences observed in the incidence of high-intensity statin use among the groups. Analysis of the lipid profile, including baseline, follow-up, and the changes in LDL cholesterol, did not show any significant association with plaque progression Characteristics of aortic atheroma The baseline atheroma size measured 4.1 [3.5-5.4] mm, and at follow-up, it measured 4.0 [3.3-5.5] mm. Regarding atheroma grade, 21 (16.0%) were categorized as mild, 66 (50.4%) as moderate, 26 (19.8%) as severe, and 18 (13.7%) as complex ( Figure 2 ). The distribution of atheroma grades at the follow-up TEE changed as follows; mild, from 21 (16.0%) to 21(16.0%); moderate, from 66 (50.4%) to 66 (50.4%); severe, from 26 (19.8%) to 23 (17.6%); and complex, from 18 (13.7%) to 20 (15.3%). In the regression group, changes in atheroma grade included: 3 from complex to moderate, 2 from severe to moderate, 1 from severe to mild, 7 from moderate to mild, and complete regression of atheroma plaque in 1 case (from mild to no plaque). In the progression group, changes were observed as follows: 5 from mild to moderate, 1 from mild to complex, 3 from moderate to severe, 1 from moderate to complex, 3 from severe to complex. Patients with a mild baseline atheroma grade demonstrated significantly higher progression rates compared to other grades (p=0.007, Table 2 ). Specifically, progression occurred in 28.6% (6/21) of patients with mild atheroma, 6.1% (4/66) with moderate atheroma, and 11.5% (3/26) with severe atheroma. Among 14 patients (10.7%) with thrombus present at the plaque, 11 (8.4%) showed resolution, and 1 (0.8%) remained unchanged, and 2 (1.6%) newly appeared over the follow-up. The baseline plaque thickness was not associated with plaque progression ( Table 2 ). Relationship between aortic stiffness and aortic plaque progression Radial and aortic blood pressure parameters were comparable across the three groups, but pulse pressure (PP) was lower in the regression group than the other groups (41.2 ± 9.1mmHg in the regression group, 73.6 ± 22.9mmHg in the group without change, and 76.2 ± 15.8mmHg in the progression group, p for trend=0.035 for radial PP; 29.5 ± 11.2mmHg, 64.9 ± 22.8mmHg, 67.8 ± 20.6mmHg, respectively, p for trend=0.024 for aortic PP, Table 2 ). Whereas PWV was not significantly associated with changes in aortic plaque (p=0.452), AIx@75 was significantly related to progression of aortic atheroma (19.0±12.7% in the regression group, 31.1 ± 6.2% in the group without change, and 31.0 ± 2.2% in the progression group, p for trend=0.023). Regarding aortic strain parameters, FAC did not show a significant difference among the groups. However, both GCAS and aortic stiffness index (β) were significantly related to the progression of aortic atheroma (7.2±2.6% in the regression group, 5.3±1.8% in the group without change, and 3.6±0.8%, in the progression group, p for trend<0.001 for GCAS; 7.5±3.4%, 12.3±8.0%, and 17.5±5.2%, respectively, p for trend=0.001 for β) In the multivariable model, the GCAS and β were significantly associated with atheroma progression after adjusting for clinical parameters (Odds ratio [OR], 0.35 [95% Confidence interval (CI), 0.17–0.62], p=0.001 for GCAS, OR, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02-1.19), p=0.021 for β, respectively, Table 3 ). We additionally analyzed aortic stiffness and vascular properties according to gender, considering the significant relationship between female gender and aortic atheroma progression. Although females showed a tendency for aortic stiffness to be slightly higher than males, there was no statistically significant ( Supplementary Table 1 ). Discussion In our study, aortic atheroma demonstrated dynamic changes over 2 years in patients with stroke. While LDL-cholesterol levels or changes in LDL-cholesterol were not related to changes in aortic atheroma, female gender and aortic stiffness, reflected by GCAS or β index, were associated with atheroma progression. Throughout the follow-up period, the majority of patients (79.4%) exhibited no change in aortic atheroma size, while 10.7% showed regression and 9.9% experienced progression in our data. The incidence of progression in our study is relatively lower than the previous study, which had shown aortic arch atheroma progression in 28% of patients at 12-month follow-up using TEE and was associated with recurrent vascular events 2 . Another study demonstrated that the overall atherosclerotic grade did not change in 66% of patients throughout the follow-up period, reflecting relative stability in the disease process 7 . On the other hand, thrombus showed more dynamic changes. Among 14 patients with thrombus at the aortic plaque, 11 showed thrombus resolution, 2 had newly developed thrombus, and 1 remained unchanged. These findings are consistent with previous studies that reported similar dynamic changes in thrombus morphology, with 61% of patients developing new mobile lesions and 70% demonstrating resolution of previously identified mobile lesions 7 . Our study has strength by observing changes in atherosclerosis over a longer follow-up period than previous studies, characterized by follow-up periods of less than 12 months. The differences in atheroma changes between previous studies and our results might be attributed to advancements in treatment strategies, particularly the use of intense lipid-lowering therapy and adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitors. In our study, 125 (95.4%) patients used at least moderate-intensity statin, and 79 (60.3%) used high-intensity statin. In contrast, previous data indicated that only 58% of patients were on statin therapy, with a lower prevalence of high-intensity statin use. Additionally, 43 patients (32.8%) in our study were treated with ezetimibe, marking a change of trend in lipid management from earlier research. This highlights the evolving trend of treatment approaches and their impact on aortic atheroma progression 2 . Meanwhile, our data did not reveal a significant association between lipid profiles, including baseline and follow-up LDL cholesterol levels, and changes in LDL cholesterol. This may be attributed to the fact that most patients were already undergoing intensive lipid-lowering therapy, making it difficult to identify any significant relationships with atheroma changes. Despite no significant association with the lipid profile, aortic stiffness was independently associated with atheroma progression in our study. We utilized speckle tracking echocardiography and pulse wave analysis to assess aortic stiffness, and a lower GCAS value and higher β were associated with advanced aortic atheroma grade and atheroma progression during the follow-up period. Circumferential deformation of the descending thoracic aorta can be measured using 2-dimentional speckle tracking, and this method has been reported to correlate with aortic stiffness 13 – 15 , 18 , 21 . Similar to our study, prior data have demonstrated the relationship of arterial stiffness with atherosclerosis 5 , 13 , 15 , 22 . The mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and aortic atherosclerosis are not yet fully understood. However, increased arterial stiffness can lead to vessel wall damage and accelerate atherosclerosis by increasing intraluminal stress without shock absorption capacity of strong arterial walls 23 . Elevated shear stress may stimulate excessive collagen production and the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the arterial wall, thereby promoting the progression of atherosclerosis 24 . A stiffened aorta can increase pulsatile load on the arterial walls, potentially leading to endothelial dysfunction and promoting the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, increased arterial stiffness can elevate blood pressure and facilitate vascular remodeling 25 . Given the frequent coexistence of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, establishing causality can be challenging. Atherosclerosis can result from arterial stiffness and also contribute to further increased arterial stiffness in advanced stages 22 . This self-perpetuating process reinforces arterial stiffening and the progression of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, despite the well-documented sexual disparity in the incidence and complications of atheromatous arteriosclerosis—such as men having a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease and women experiencing more severe outcomes after myocardial infarction—the literature on clinical and preclinical studies addressing the mechanisms driving sex as a biological variable in atherosclerosis is relatively scarce 26 . Previous studies on coronary artery disease and carotid plaques suggested that although men have a larger atheroma volume compared to females, the rate of change was similar 26 , 27 . While younger women showed more regression in both fibrous and non-calcified atheroma volume than men, no significant differences were observed in the progression rate or composition changes of plaques 28 , 29 . However, there is a limited study of specific studies focusing on sex differences in aortic atheroma. Regarding aortic stiffness, females show more pronounced age-related arterial stiffness than males. Although increasing age is accompanied by increased aortic stiffness in both, females exhibit a steeper decline in aortic elasticity than males 30 , 31 . In our data, although a higher proportion of females had atheroma progression than males, no significant differences in aortic stiffness parameters were observed, with only a tendency for aortic stiffness to be slightly higher in females. This observation aligns with previous findings that increased age is associated with greater arterial stiffness in both sexes, but with a steeper decline in aortic elasticity in females. Additionally, although not statistically significant, the females tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of mild and moderate atheroma grades at baseline. Given that patients with mild atheroma grades showed a higher rate of progression, these factors may contribute to a more pronounced linkage between atheroma progression and female gender. Therefore, while sex differences in atheroma progression exist, our data suggest that aortic stiffness is a more significant factor influencing atheroma changes. Several limitations of our study should be noted. Although TEE is a good imaging modality to access aortic atherosclerosis due to its high resolution of aortic intima-lumen interface and reproducibility, it has limitations, especially in evaluating near-field plaques because of distortion and in effectively assessing the distal ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch 10 . In addition, our measurements focused solely on the measured maximal plaque size, which may not entirely reflect the comprehensive burden of aortic atheroma in detail. However, many previous studies used TEE to estimate aortic atherosclerosis and atheroma 2 , 3 , 16 , considering it affords an excellent assessment of the size and mobility of complicated plaques and overlying thrombi in real time, is highly reproducible and is free of any radiation or contrast agents 32 , 33 . Therefore, in clinical practice, TEE is still commonly used to assess thoracic aortic atherosclerosis, especially in patients with stroke. In addition, our study exclusively investigated the relationship between the atheroma of the aorta, regarded as an elastic artery, and aortic stiffness, potentially limiting its representation of atherosclerosis pathophysiology in medium-sized arteries, which are categorized as muscular arteries. Peripheral arteries are naturally stiffer than central arteries, but age-related increases in stiffness have been reported to be less pronounced in peripheral arteries than in central arteries, and there is limited and conflicting evidence regarding the prognostic value of peripheral arterial stiffness compared with aortic stiffness 34 . Given these differences in characteristics, additional research is needed to understand the relationship with the natural course of peripheral arteriosclerosis. Finally, as our study was conducted in a single referral tertiary center for patients with stroke, the sample size was relatively small and might not be representative of the general population. Therefore, our findings need to be validated in a larger cohort with a longer follow-up duration. Despite these limitations, our study has a relatively longer follow-up interval compared to previous studies 3 , 5 , 6 , 22 and reflects changes in atheroma during the contemporary era, particularly following the implementation of intense lipid-lowering therapy. Conclusion In patients with stroke, aortic atheroma showed dynamic changes over 2 years. Female gender, AIx@75, aorta strain, and aortic stiffness index were associated with the progression of aortic atheroma, suggesting a potential role of aortic stiffness in the trajectory of aortic atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to provide more comprehensive insights into the direct mechanistic relationship between aortic stiffness and changes in aortic atheroma and to confirm whether arterial stiffness can be an effective target to prevent progression of aortic atherosclerosis. Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Author Contribution J.H.J. and S.H.S. contributed to the study conception and design, performed data collection and analysis, interpreted the results, and drafted the manuscript; S.H.S. supervised the study, contributed to the study design and data interpretation, and critically revised the manuscript; H.K.P. provided conceptual guidance, supervised the overall project, and contributed to the final revision of the manuscript; K.Y.K. and D.Y.K. assisted in patient recruitment and data acquisition; J.K., C.W.Y., and J.H.R. provided expert review of imaging data and contributed to the interpretation of echocardiographic findings.All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version. Data Availability The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. References Kronzon, I. & Tunick, P. A. Aortic atherosclerotic disease and stroke. 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Erbel, R. et al. 2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of aortic diseases: Document covering acute and chronic aortic diseases of the thoracic and abdominal aorta of the adult. The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J 35 , 2873-2926, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu281 (2014). Goldstein, S. A. et al. Multimodality imaging of diseases of the thoracic aorta in adults: from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging: endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 28 , 119-182, doi:10.1016/j.echo.2014.11.015 (2015). Yu, S. & McEniery, C. M. Central Versus Peripheral Artery Stiffening and Cardiovascular Risk. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 40 , 1028-1033, doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.120.313128 (2020). Tables Table 1 . Baseline characteristics according to the temporal change of aortic atheroma Atheroma change Total Regression No change Progression P for trend N=131 N=14 (10.7%) N=104 (79.4%) N=13 (9.9%) Clinical characteristics Age, years 62.0 [54.5;70.0] 56.0 [53.0;70.0] 62.0 [54.0;69.0] 65.0 [60.0;73.0] 0.418 Gender, n (%) 0.003 - Male 92 (70.2%) 12 (85.7%) 76 (73.1%) 4 (30.8%) - Female 39 (29.8%) 2 (14.3%) 28 (26.9%) 9 (69.2%) Height, cm 165.0 [158.0;170.0] 165.0 [160.0;170.0] 165.0 [160.0;170.0] 158.0 [154.0;167.0] 0.039 Weight, kg 66.0 [58.0;73.0] 65.0 [58.0;74.0] 66.0 [59.0;73.0] 64.0 [54.0;71.0] 0.466 Body mass index, kg/m 2 24.3 [22.0;26.8] 24.7 [23.0;26.4] 24.2 [21.9;26.8] 25.5 [22.3;27.1] 0.994 Follow up, month 23.6 [20.8;26.8] 23.3 [13.9;28.8] 23.7 [21.0;26.6] 23.6 [20.7;25.2] 0.985 Comorbidity, n (%) AF 19 (14.5%) 3 (21.4%) 15 (14.4%) 1 (7.7%) 0.600 HTN 92 (70.2%) 7 (57.1%) 74 (71.2%) 10 (76.9%) 0.483 DM 44 (33.6%) 6 (42.9%) 31 (29.8%) 7 (53.8%) 0.168 PAOD 4 (3.1%) 1 (7.1%) 3 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 0.548 CAD 2 (1.5%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0.189 Medication, n (%) Aspirin 24 (18.3%) 3 (23.1%) 18 (17.1%) 3 (23.1%) 0.837 Plavix 77 (58.8%) 8 (57.1%) 61 (58.7%) 8 (61.5%) 0.972 Cilostazol 32 (24.4%) 3 (23.1%) 26 (24.8%) 3 (23.1%) 0.952 Warfarin 8 (6.1%) 2 (15.4%) 6 (5.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0.289 NOAC 20 (15.3%) 2 (15.4%) 16 (15.2%) 2 (15.4%) 0.994 Statin - Atovastatin 76 (58.0%) 10 (76.9%) 61 (58.1%) 5 (38.5%) 0.216 - Pitavastatin 10 (7.6%) 1 (7.7%) 8 (7.6%) 1 (7.7%) 0.997 - pravastatin 1 (0.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0.878 - Rosuvastatin 31 (23.7%) 3 (21.4%) 24 (23.1%) 4 (30.8%) 0.811 - Simvastatin 13 (9.9%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (9.5%) 3 (23.1%) 0.133 Statin intensity - Low 6 (4.6%) 0 (0.0%) 5 (4.8%) 1 (7.7%) 0.075 - Moderate 46 (35.1%) 7 (50.0%) 32 (30.8%) 7 (53.8%) 0.397 - High 79 (60.3%) 7 (50.0%) 67 (64.4%) 5 (38.5%) 0.113 Additional lipid-lowering therapy - Ezetinib 43 (32.8%) 1 (7.1%) 38 (36.5%) 4 (30.8%) 0.090 - Fenofibrate 7 (5.3%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (6.7%) 0 (0.0%) 0.386 Escalation or change 6 (4.6%) 0 (0.0%) 6 (5.8%) 0 (0.0%) 0.445 Laboratory study WBC, x 10 9 /L 7.5 [6.1;8.9] 6.7 [6.1;7.5] 7.6 [6.1;9.2] 7.9 [6.2;9.1] 0.434 Hb, g/dL 14.1 [13.2;15.0] 14.4 [13.2;14.8] 14.2 [13.3;15.2] 13.2 [12.6;13.6] 0.024 Hct, % 41.5 [38.8;43.8] 42.3 [36.9;42.9] 41.7 [39.0;44.3] 38.7 [36.7;40.2] 0.014 PLT, /μL 227.0 [193.5;276.0] 229.0 [219.0;276.0] 224.0 [193.0;276.0] 241.0 [191.0;265.0] 0.497 BUN, mg/dL 14.2 [11.8;17.5] 14.3 [11.2;17.9] 13.8 [11.8;17.9] 14.6 [12.4;15.3] 0.864 Creatinin, mg/dL 0.9 [0.8;1.1] 0.9 [0.9;1.0] 0.9 [0.8;1.1] 0.8 [0.7;1.1] 0.722 eGFR, ml/min/1.73m² 83.0 [70.0;95.5] 86.0 [77.0;94.0] 82.0 [71.0;96.0] 78.0 [67.0;94.0] 0.503 HbA1c, % 5.9 [5.5;6.5] 6.0 [5.7;6.5] 5.8 [5.5;6.4] 6.0 [5.6;6.5] 0.608 ESR, mm/hr 7.0 [5.0;14.5] 14.0 [2.0;38.0] 7.0 [5.0;11.0] 7.0 [5.0;25.0] 0.800 CRP, mg/dL 0.1 [0.1;0.2] 0.2 [0.1;0.2] 0.1 [0.0;0.2] 0.1 [0.1;0.2] 0.427 Lipid profile Homocysteine, μg/dL 10.4 [8.3;13.9] 11.3 [8.3;15.2] 10.4 [7.8;13.4] 11.2 [9.2;13.0] 0.917 Lp.a., mg/dL 9.8 [5.7;20.7] 20.6 [8.0;27.0] 9.4 [5.5;19.2] 14.4 [5.7;55.0] 0.344 Apo.E, mg/dL 4.2 [3.3;5.0] 3.9 [3.2;4.0] 4.3 [3.6;5.1] 4.1 [3.3;5.0] 0.609 Apo.B, mg/dL 91.7 [76.9;104.1] 86.5 [78.8;104.9] 93.2 [78.2;105.3] 80.7 [62.0;95.5] 0.180 Cholesterol, mg/dL 177.0 [143.0;202.0] 159.0 [129.0;190.0] 179.0 [144.0;203.0] 162.0 [148.0;174.0] 0.396 TG, mg/dL 110.0 [84.5;147.0] 111.0 [110.0;122.0] 107.0 [69.0;149.0] 111.0 [99.0;128.0] 0.650 HDL, mg/dL 43.0 [35.5;53.0] 44.0 [39.0;50.0] 43.0 [35.0;53.0] 43.0 [38.0;50.0] 0.807 LDL, mg/dL 105.0 [81.0;132.0] 116.0 [86.0;144.0] 105.0 [81.0;130.0] 98.0 [85.0;111.0] 0.655 FU Cholesterol, mg/dL 128.0 [115.0;145.0] 140.0 [122.0;163.0] 126.0 [115.0;143.0] 136.0 [102.0;147.0] 0.175 FU TG, mg/dL 98.0 [70.5;129.5] 122.0 [96.0;142.0] 97.0 [70.0;127.0] 109.0 [94.0;147.0] 0.298 FU HDL, mg/dL 49.0 [42.0;59.0] 45.0 [43.0;53.0] 50.0 [42.0;60.0] 45.0 [42.0;49.0] 0.507 FU LDL, mg/dL 66.0 [56.0;76.0] 67.0 [58.0;98.0] 65.0 [56.0;75.0] 67.0 [47.0;78.0] 0.627 FU HbA1c, % 6.3 [5.8; 6.9] 6.2 [ 5.6;6.7] 6.3 [ 5.9;6.9] 6.5 [5.9;7.8] 0.597 Δchol, mg/dL -44.0 [-74.0;-14.0] -33.0 [-56.0;-11.0] -47.1 [-75.0;-16.0] -25.0 [-66.0;-10.0] 0.405 ΔTG, mg/dL -13.0 [-46.0;28.5] -4.0 [-44.0;29.0] -15.0 [-51.0;28.0] 14.0 [-17.0;28.0] 0.363 ΔHDL, mg/dL 6.0 [-2.0;14.0] 6.0 [0.0;11.0] 6.0 [-2.0;14.0] 7.0 [-6.0;9.0] 0.935 ΔLDL, mg/dL -42.0 [-64.0;-10.5] -30.0 [-54.0;-12.0] -45.0 [-64.0;-11.0] -20.0 [-52.0;-2.0] 0.358 AF, atrial fibrillation; Apo B, Apolipoprotein B; ApoE, Apolipoprotein E; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; CAD, coronary artery disease; Cr, creatinine; CRP, C-reactive protein; DM, diabetes mellitus; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; FU, follow up; Hb, hemoglobin; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; Hct, hematocrit; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; Lp a, lipoprotein a; NOAC, non-vitamine K oral anticoagulant; PAOD, peripheral artery occlusive disease; TG, triglyceride; WBC, white blood cell Delta values are calculated between baseline and follow-up value Table 2 . Aortic plaque size, grade, pulse wave analysis, and aortic strain analysis data according to the changes in aortic atheroma. Atheroma change Total Regression No change Progression P for trend (N=131) (N=14) (N=104) (N=13) Characteristics of aortic atheroma Atheroma size, mm Maximal, base 4.1 [3.5;5.4] 4.3 [3.8;5.2] 4.1 [3.5;5.5] 3.7 [2.6;4.8] 0.761 Maximal, FU 4.0 [3.3;5.5] 2.8 [2.5;3.5] 4.1 [3.4;5.4] 5.9 [4.1;7.0] <0.001 Δ maximal 0.0 [-0.4;0.2] -1.6 [-1.8;-1.2] 0.0 [-0.3;0.1] 1.4 [1.1;1.8] <0.001 Baseline atheroma grade, n (%) - Complex 18 (13.7%) 3 (21.4%) 15 (14.4%) 0 (0.0%) 0.111 - Severe 26 (19.8%) 3 (21.4%) 20 (19.2%) 3 (23.1%) 0.924 - Moderate 66 (50.4%) 7 (50.0%) 55 (52.9%) 4 (30.8%) 0.340 - Mild 21 (16.0%) 1 (7.1%) 14 (13.5%) 6 (46.2%) 0.007 FU atheroma grade, n (%) - Complex 20 (15.3%) 0 (0.0%) 15 (14.4%) 5 (38.5%) 0.006 - Severe 23 (17.6%) 0 (0.0%) 20 (19.2%) 3 (23.1%) 0.110 - Moderate 66 (50.4%) 5 (35.7%) 55 (52.9%) 5 (38.5%) 0.850 - Mild 21 (16.0%) 8 (57.1%) 14 (13.5%) 0 (0.0%) <0.001 - No 1 (0.8%) 1 (7.1%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0.028 Thrombus, n (%) 14 (10.7%) 3 (21.4%) 9 (8.7%) 2 (15.4%) 0.581 Thrombus change, n (%) - No thrombus 117 (89.3%) 10 (76.9%) 96 (91.4%) 11 (84.6%) 0.581 - Newly appeared 2 (1.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (15.4%) 0.001 - Resolved 11 (8.4%) 3 (23.1%) 8 (7.6%) 0 (0.0%) 0.043 - Remnant 1 (0.8%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0.987 Pulse wave analysis Radial BP, mmHg Systolic 149.8 ± 21.0 128.1 ± 10.6 151.7 ± 20.0 151.0 ± 29.1 0.145 Diastolic 81.5 [77.0;90.0] 86.5 [80.5;93.5] 81.0 [76.0;89.0] 87.0 [85.0;117.0] 0.526 MP 107.5 ± 12.6 101.5 ± 7.7 107.9 ± 11.0 108.4 ± 25.7 0.456 PP 71.2 ± 23.1 41.2 ± 9.1 73.6 ± 22.9 76.2 ± 15.8 0.035 Aortic BP, mmHg Systolic 141.5 [126.0;153.0] 121.0 [108.5;126.5] 142.0 [127.0;153.0] 157.0 [129.0;157.0] 0.506 Diastolic 84.0 [79.0;91.0] 87.5 [81.5;94.5] 83.0 [78.0;91.0] 88.0 [86.0;114.0] 0.445 MP 107.5 ± 12.5 101.5 ± 7.7 108.0 ± 10.9 108.6 ± 25.3 0.438 PP 62.3 ± 23.8 29.5 ± 11.2 64.9 ± 22.8 67.8 ± 20.6 0.024 AIx@75, % 30.1 ± 7.3 19.0 ± 12.7 31.1 ± 6.2 31.0 ± 2.2 0.023 ED, m/s 34.0 [32.0;38.0] 39.0 [33.5;39.0] 34.0 [32.0;37.0] 38.0 [33.0;39.0] 0.846 SEVR, % 149.6 ± 30.8 166.0 ± 53.5 149.6 ± 29.9 139.8 ± 26.4 0.400 PWV, m/s 9.8 ± 2.2 8.5 ± 1.9 10.0 ± 2.3 9.8 ± 2.0 0.452 Operator index 98.5 [96.0;100.0] 98.0 [97.5;99.0] 99.0 [96.0;100.0] 95.0 [92.0;95.0] 0.007 Aorta strain GCAS, % 5.4 ± 2.0 7.2 ± 2.6 5.3 ± 1.8 3.6 ± 0.8 <0.001 Corrected GCAS, % 0.1 ± 0.1 0.2 ± 0.1 0.1 ± 0.0 0.1 ± 0.0 <0.001 FAC, % 7.8 ± 2.7 8.9 ± 3.5 7.7 ± 2.7 7.9 ± 1.8 0.324 β 12.2 ± 7.7 7.5 ± 3.4 12.3 ± 8.0 17.5 ± 5.2 <0.001 Aortic distensibility, cm 2 /dyn 19.6 ± 10.4 30.8 ± 14.0 19.0 ± 9.0 11.4 ± 3.7 <0.001 AIx@75, augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute; BP, blood pressure; β, aortic stiffness index; ED, ejection duration; FAC, fractional area change; FU, follow-up; GCAS, global circumferential strain; MP, mean pressure; PP, pulse pressure; PWV, pulse wave velocity; SEVR, subendocardial viability ratio Delta values are calculated between baseline and follow-up value Table 3 . Multivariate logistic regression analysis for the progression of aortic atheroma Aortic Atheroma Progression Univariate Multivariate Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Model 4 Model 5 OR (95% CI) p value OR (95% CI) p value OR (95% CI) p value OR (95% CI) p value OR (95% CI) p value OR (95% CI) p value Clinical characteristics Age 1.02 (0.97-1.09) 0.418 1.02 (0.95-1.08) 0.624 1.01 (0.95-1.08) 0.751 0.93 (0.85-1.00) 0.069 1.00 (0.92-1.07) 0.930 0.97 (0.90-1.04) 0.359 Female 6.60 (2.00-25.83) 0.003 6.63 (1.96-26.47) 0.004 6.88 (1.98-28.49) 0.004 9.06 (2.13-50.76) 0.005 6.05 (1.69-25.32) 0.008 7.41 (1.99-34.61) 0.005 BMI 0.99 (0.82-1.18) 0.897 - - - - - - - - - - HTN 1.46 (0.42-6.81) 0.580 - - - - - - - - - - DM 2.55 (0.80-8.44) 0.112 - - - - - - - - - - ΔLDL 1.01 (0.99-1.02) 0.399 - - - - - - - - - - Baseline atheroma grade 0.39 (0.160.84) 0.027 - - - - - - - - - - Aorta parameters AIx@75 1.02 (0.90-1.18) 0.768 0.97 (0.86-1.11) 0.690 - - - - - - - - PWV 0.99 (0.61-1.48) 0.957 - - 1.12 (0.67-1.76) 0.637 - - - - - - GCAS 0.46 (0.26-0.72) 0.002 - - - - 0.35 (0.17-0.62) 0.001 - - - - FAC 1.01 (0.80-1.27) 0.916 - - - - - - 0.97 (0.73-1.28) 0.810 - - β 1.07 (1.00-1.15) 0.048 - - - - - - - - 1.09 (1.02-1.19) 0.021 Model 1 to 5 adjusted age and sex with each aorta parameters AIx@75, augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute; BMI, body mass index; β, aortic stiffness index; CI, confidence interval; DM, diabetes mellitus; FAC, fractional area change; GCAS, global circumferential strain; HTN, hypertension; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; OR, odds ratio; PWV, pulse wave velocity Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplemenratyInfo.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers invited by journal 01 Aug, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 31 Jul, 2025 Editor invited by journal 03 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 02 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 01 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7020102","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":495018482,"identity":"87376eee-1f59-42f5-aa5b-42fad3901c56","order_by":0,"name":"Ji-Hun Jang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University Hospital Cardiovascular Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ji-Hun","middleName":"","lastName":"Jang","suffix":""},{"id":495018483,"identity":"22cf6a31-512c-448d-b3d9-3f7913650ce3","order_by":1,"name":"Sung-Hee Shin","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAtElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHoYDDBUSDAYQXgKxWs6QqoWBsY2BBC3y/WcPHi6cZ5Fnzn6A8cMPhrR8gloMbuQlHJ65TaLYsieBWbKHIceygaAWCR6Dw7zbJBI3HEhgkGZgqDAgwmFngFrmALWcf8D8mygtDAdygFoagFpuJLABbckhrMXgBlALzzGQlodtlj0GaUQ5zPgzT00d0GHJh2/8qEgmwmEIwNgAj51RMApGwSgYBRQCALWbOf3eqx9jAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University Hospital Cardiovascular Center","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sung-Hee","middleName":"","lastName":"Shin","suffix":""},{"id":495018484,"identity":"28bae140-3002-4c06-ba5d-294f5ba568ca","order_by":2,"name":"Kyu-Yong Ko","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kyu-Yong","middleName":"","lastName":"Ko","suffix":""},{"id":495018485,"identity":"863fc625-a3ad-4c41-8dce-b816987c2a8c","order_by":3,"name":"Dae-Young Kim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University Hospital Cardiovascular Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dae-Young","middleName":"","lastName":"Kim","suffix":""},{"id":495018486,"identity":"54e66f04-128f-4cbe-865e-ee839c396227","order_by":4,"name":"Jonguk Kim","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jonguk","middleName":"","lastName":"Kim","suffix":""},{"id":495018487,"identity":"44aba838-def9-4e8c-a66c-321649deaae5","order_by":5,"name":"Cindy W Yoon","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Cindy","middleName":"W","lastName":"Yoon","suffix":""},{"id":495018488,"identity":"e694cd3b-e04f-4d28-a574-a8a4cf07e5ce","order_by":6,"name":"Joung-Ho Rha","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Joung-Ho","middleName":"","lastName":"Rha","suffix":""},{"id":495018489,"identity":"5eca4b5b-cafa-49fe-b34b-e9d8ebbb61c8","order_by":7,"name":"Hee-Kwon Park","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inha University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hee-Kwon","middleName":"","lastName":"Park","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-01 12:08:16","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":88780667,"identity":"9266372c-ffba-4d21-b9fd-4977a93d346a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-11 10:48:26","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":825446,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eTEE images demonstrating different degrees of aortic atheroma: (A) Normal. The white arrow indicates luminal-intimal interface, and the black arrow indicates the medial-adventitial interface. (B) Mild atheroma. (C) Moderate atheroma, with a plaque thickness of 3-5mm. (D) Severe/complex atheroma with a plaque thickness \u0026gt;5 mm and/or mobile or ulcerated component. Asterisk indicates a mobile component of the plaque. TEE, transesophageal echocardiography.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7020102/v1/ef56a4739d771421ae076181.png"},{"id":88780669,"identity":"d75bc9a4-fc5d-42bd-9315-ed7f190ea5d3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-11 10:48:26","extension":"jpeg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":457032,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe number of patients with changes in aortic atheroma severity between baseline and follow-up transesophageal echocardiographic studies. Atheroma grade changes were classified as regression (blue stippled line), progression (brown stippled line), or no change (solid line).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.jpeg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7020102/v1/ecdbc205d41eb106ade05c4a.jpeg"},{"id":88783879,"identity":"2aff1339-fb87-4e95-a1ff-6a3fde28efce","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-11 11:20:27","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2524762,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7020102/v1/8201dde5-d385-499e-a6ee-ecfc047612e4.pdf"},{"id":88781952,"identity":"2124e794-3058-43da-b34c-5558f15ee91a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-11 10:56:26","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":332818,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplemenratyInfo.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7020102/v1/c6127972c95b0178a797eb9f.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Natural History and Risk Factors of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke Patients: Impact of Aortic Stiffness and Sex Differences","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAortic atheroma is an independent risk factor for stroke \u003csup\u003e1-3\u003c/sup\u003e, often exhibiting gradual progression during the clinical course. The size and complexity of aortic atheroma can affect the incidence of stroke events. Prior study showed that individuals with complex aortic plaque, characterized by plaques containing mobile thrombi, ulcerations, or a thickness \u0026ge;4 mm, face a fourfold increase in stroke risk compared to those without plaques \u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e. Furthermore, such cases independently predicted both recurrence of cerebral infarction and other vascular incidents \u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e. The majority of these studies have highlighted a link between atheroma progression and a risk of vascular events \u003csup\u003e1-7\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious studies have demonstrated the natural course of atherosclerosis, including regression or progression. Although some studies showed the association between regression of aortic atheroma and the use of lipid-lowering agents \u003csup\u003e7-9\u003c/sup\u003e, data regarding the other risk factors for aortic atheroma progression still remain limited in the contemporary era characterized by intense statin use. Additionally, there is a lack of research on the vascular properties of the aorta related to aortic atheroma aggravation. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere, we examined the natural trajectory of aortic atheroma in stroke patients. Additionally, we investigated the association of clinical factors and aortic stiffness on speckle-tracking echocardiography and arterial pulse wave analysis (PWA), with temporal changes in aortic plaque.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the stroke registry prospectively collected, we selected the patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) within one month of symptom onset as a part of their stroke workup and who underwent a second TEE at least two years apart. Cerebral infarction of all enrolled patients was confirmed through a brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance images. This study design was approved by the Institutional Review Board (INHAUH2024-03-005-000) and all participants (or their legal guardians) provided written informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssessment of Aortic Atheroma\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAortic atheroma was assessed with TEE. Commercially available instruments were utilized for the TEE examinations. Horizontal and longitudinal images of the descending thoracic aorta and aortic arch were observed. The TEE probe was advanced to the mid to lower esophageal level (up to 35-40 cm from the incisors) and subsequently withdrawn slowly to the aortic arch level to scan the descending thoracic aorta and aortic arch.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe assessed the aortic plaques, focusing on their thickness, location, and morphology. Plaque thickness was measured at the most severe plaque manifestation, defined as the distance between the medial-adventitial border and the aortic lumen. Any irregular thickening of \u0026ge;2 mm detected on TEE was considered as an atheroma \u003csup\u003e10,11\u003c/sup\u003e. Using TEE, aortic atheroma was categorized as mild (2-3mm), moderate (3-5 mm), severe (\u0026gt;5mm), or complex (involving ulceration and/or mobile component) (\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 1\u003c/strong\u003e). The progression of aortic atheroma was defined as an increase of maximal plaque thickness by \u0026ge;1 grade \u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e. Similarly, regression was defined as a decrease in maximal thickness of atheromatous plaque by \u0026le;1 grades. \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssessment for Aortic Stiffness and Vascular Properties\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAortic stiffness was assessed using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and pulse wave analysis (PWA).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlobal circumferential aortic strain (GCAS) was measured using a vendor-independent speckle tracking software (Image-Arena 4.6, TomTec Imaging Systems, Unterschleissheim, Germany) among patients with adequate image quality and frame rate (50\u0026ndash;80 Hz) for strain analysis. As shown in \u003cstrong\u003eSupplementary\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFigure 1\u003c/strong\u003e, a line was manually drawn along the inner edge of the aortic wall, and then an additional line near the outer edge of the aortic wall was automatically generated by the software \u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e. Considering the small thickness of the aortic wall, the width of the region of interest was adjusted to the minimum allowed by the software. The first systolic frame was usually chosen as the frame of interest to include the maximal wall aortic expansion for strain calculation. Before processing, a cine loop preview feature visually confirmed that the internal line followed the aortic inner side throughout the cardiac cycle. If tracking was suboptimal, manual adjustments of region-of-interest size were performed. The software automatically divided the optimal aortic wall image into 6 equally sized color-coded segments (anteroseptal, anterior, lateral, posterior, inferior, and septal) \u003csup\u003e13-15\u003c/sup\u003e. Quantitative curves were used to represent the two-dimensional speckle tracking variables of different segments of the aortic wall. Peak values of circumferential strain in each segment, which typically appeared near the aortic valvular closure (systole), were identified. GCAS was calculated by averaging the peak circumferential strain values of the 6 segments. A corrected GAAS was calculated as the global GCAS/pulse pressure (PP) \u003csup\u003e16\u003c/sup\u003e. Additionally, we assessed the elastic properties of the aorta. Fractional shortening (FS) and fractional area change (FAC) were defined as the percentage change in diameter and cross-sectional area (CSA), respectively, by 2D tracing between systole and diastole, calculated using the formula: FS (%) = (largest diameter - smallest diameter)/(largest diameter) \u0026times; 100, FAC (%) = (largest CSA - smallest CSA)/(largest CSA) \u0026times; 100. Aortic distensibility was calculated as follows: Aortic distensibility (cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/dyn) = (2\u0026times;GCAS)/systolic blood pressure \u0026ndash; diastolic blood pressure) \u003csup\u003e17\u003c/sup\u003e. Furthermore, the aortic stiffness index (\u0026beta;) was calculated as ln(systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure)/GCAS \u003csup\u003e18\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo investigate vascular properties, we used the SphygmoCor (AtCor Medical Pty Ltd Head Office, West Ryde, Australia) system \u003csup\u003e19,20\u003c/sup\u003e. The examination was performed in a quiet room at a comfortable room temperature, with the patient in a supine position. The carotid and femoral pulse waves were analyzed, estimating the delay in the ECG wave and calculating the pulse wave velocity (PWV). Additionally, the augmentation index (AIx) was estimated from the aortic wave morphology. The AIx was defined as the augmented pressure (magnitude of wave reflection) divided by PP: AIx = pressure increase/PP \u0026times; 100. As AIx is affected by heart rate, we estimated AIx adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe assessed the association of clinical factors and aortic stiffness with the progression of aortic atheroma.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical Analysis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinuous variables were described as mean with standard deviation or median with interquartile range, as appropriate. Categorical variables were reported as numbers and percentages. To compare baseline characteristics between the groups, the Student t-test or Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test was used for continuous variables, and the Chi-squared test or Fisher\u0026rsquo;s exact test was used for categorical variables. ANOVA was used to analyze three or more continuous variables. If the data did not meet the normal distribution assumption, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used. Logistic regression analysis assessed the independent contribution of aortic stiffness and vascular properties in aortic atheroma progression. A comprehensive independent variable set was evaluated, including patient demographics (age and gender), AIx@75, PWV, GCAS, FAC, and \u0026beta;. For all analyses, a 2-sided p\u0026lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. R statistical software (version 4.1.0; R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) was used for the analysis.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaseline characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the patients from stroke registry, consecutive 1,255 patients underwent TEE within one month of symptom onset. Among them, 168 patients received follow-up TEE at 24.4 \u0026plusmn; 10 months. After excluding 37 patients because of insufficient image quality for aortic plaque assessment, 131 patients were finally enrolled.\u0026nbsp;The mean age was 62 \u0026plusmn; 10 years, and 92 patients were men.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the median follow-up of 23.6 [20.8-26.8] months, aortic atheroma progressed in 13 (9.9%), regressed in 14 patients (10.7%), and remained unchanged in 104 (79.4%).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e shows the baseline characteristics of the study population according to the change in aortic atheroma. Women had more progression of aortic atheroma compared to the men (14.3% vs. 85.7% in the regression group, 26.9% vs. 73.1% in the group without change, and 69.2% vs. 30.8% in the progression group, p=0.003). Comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes mellitus were comparable across all groups. All patients were on statin medication after index stroke, with 79 patients (60.3%) using high-intensity statins. There were no statistically significant differences observed in the incidence of high-intensity statin use among the groups. Analysis of the lipid profile, including baseline, follow-up, and the changes in LDL cholesterol, did not show any significant association with plaque progression\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics of aortic atheroma\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe baseline atheroma size measured 4.1 [3.5-5.4] mm, and at follow-up, it measured 4.0 [3.3-5.5] mm. Regarding atheroma grade, 21 (16.0%) were categorized as mild, 66 (50.4%) as moderate, 26 (19.8%) as severe, and 18 (13.7%) as complex (\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 2\u003c/strong\u003e). The distribution of atheroma grades at the follow-up TEE changed as follows; mild, from 21 (16.0%) to 21(16.0%); moderate, from 66 (50.4%) to 66 (50.4%); severe, from 26 (19.8%) to 23 (17.6%); and complex, from 18 (13.7%) to 20 (15.3%). In the regression group, changes in atheroma grade included: 3 from complex to moderate, 2 from severe to moderate, 1 from severe to mild, 7 from moderate to mild, and complete regression of atheroma plaque in 1 case (from mild to no plaque). In the progression group, changes were observed as follows: 5 from mild to moderate, 1 from mild to complex, 3 from moderate to severe, 1 from moderate to complex, 3 from severe to complex. Patients with a mild baseline atheroma grade demonstrated significantly higher progression rates compared to other grades (p=0.007, \u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e). Specifically, progression occurred in 28.6% (6/21) of patients with mild atheroma, 6.1% (4/66) with moderate atheroma, and 11.5% (3/26) with severe atheroma.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong 14 patients (10.7%) with thrombus present at the plaque, 11 (8.4%) showed resolution, and 1 (0.8%) remained unchanged, and 2 (1.6%) newly appeared over the follow-up. The baseline plaque thickness was not associated with plaque progression (\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelationship between aortic stiffness and aortic plaque progression\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRadial and aortic blood pressure parameters were comparable across the three groups, but pulse pressure (PP) was lower in the regression group than the other groups (41.2 \u0026plusmn; 9.1mmHg in the regression group, 73.6 \u0026plusmn; 22.9mmHg in the group without change, and 76.2 \u0026plusmn; 15.8mmHg in the progression group, p for trend=0.035 for radial PP; 29.5 \u0026plusmn; 11.2mmHg, 64.9 \u0026plusmn; 22.8mmHg, 67.8 \u0026plusmn; 20.6mmHg, respectively, p for trend=0.024 for aortic PP, \u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e). Whereas PWV was not significantly associated with changes in aortic plaque (p=0.452), AIx@75 was significantly related to progression of aortic atheroma (19.0\u0026plusmn;12.7% in the regression group, 31.1 \u0026plusmn; 6.2% in the group without change, and 31.0 \u0026plusmn; 2.2% in the progression group, p for trend=0.023). Regarding aortic strain parameters, FAC did not show a significant difference among the groups. However, both GCAS and aortic stiffness index (\u0026beta;) were significantly related to the progression of aortic atheroma (7.2\u0026plusmn;2.6% in the regression group, 5.3\u0026plusmn;1.8% in the group without change, and 3.6\u0026plusmn;0.8%, in the progression group, p for trend\u0026lt;0.001 for GCAS; 7.5\u0026plusmn;3.4%, 12.3\u0026plusmn;8.0%, and 17.5\u0026plusmn;5.2%, respectively, p for trend=0.001 for \u0026beta;)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the multivariable model, the GCAS and \u0026beta; were significantly associated with atheroma progression after adjusting for clinical parameters (Odds ratio [OR], 0.35 [95% Confidence interval (CI), 0.17\u0026ndash;0.62], p=0.001 for GCAS, OR, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02-1.19), p=0.021 for \u0026beta;, respectively, \u003cstrong\u003eTable 3\u003c/strong\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;We additionally analyzed aortic stiffness and vascular properties according to gender, considering the significant relationship between female gender and aortic atheroma progression. Although females showed a tendency for aortic stiffness to be slightly higher than males, there was no statistically significant (\u003cstrong\u003eSupplementary Table 1\u003c/strong\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn our study, aortic atheroma demonstrated dynamic changes over 2 years in patients with stroke. While LDL-cholesterol levels or changes in LDL-cholesterol were not related to changes in aortic atheroma, female gender and aortic stiffness, reflected by GCAS or β index, were associated with atheroma progression.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThroughout the follow-up period, the majority of patients (79.4%) exhibited no change in aortic atheroma size, while 10.7% showed regression and 9.9% experienced progression in our data. The incidence of progression in our study is relatively lower than the previous study, which had shown aortic arch atheroma progression in 28% of patients at 12-month follow-up using TEE and was associated with recurrent vascular events \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Another study demonstrated that the overall atherosclerotic grade did not change in 66% of patients throughout the follow-up period, reflecting relative stability in the disease process \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. On the other hand, thrombus showed more dynamic changes. Among 14 patients with thrombus at the aortic plaque, 11 showed thrombus resolution, 2 had newly developed thrombus, and 1 remained unchanged. These findings are consistent with previous studies that reported similar dynamic changes in thrombus morphology, with 61% of patients developing new mobile lesions and 70% demonstrating resolution of previously identified mobile lesions \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Our study has strength by observing changes in atherosclerosis over a longer follow-up period than previous studies, characterized by follow-up periods of less than 12 months. The differences in atheroma changes between previous studies and our results might be attributed to advancements in treatment strategies, particularly the use of intense lipid-lowering therapy and adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitors. In our study, 125 (95.4%) patients used at least moderate-intensity statin, and 79 (60.3%) used high-intensity statin. In contrast, previous data indicated that only 58% of patients were on statin therapy, with a lower prevalence of high-intensity statin use. Additionally, 43 patients (32.8%) in our study were treated with ezetimibe, marking a change of trend in lipid management from earlier research. This highlights the evolving trend of treatment approaches and their impact on aortic atheroma progression \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Meanwhile, our data did not reveal a significant association between lipid profiles, including baseline and follow-up LDL cholesterol levels, and changes in LDL cholesterol. This may be attributed to the fact that most patients were already undergoing intensive lipid-lowering therapy, making it difficult to identify any significant relationships with atheroma changes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite no significant association with the lipid profile, aortic stiffness was independently associated with atheroma progression in our study. We utilized speckle tracking echocardiography and pulse wave analysis to assess aortic stiffness, and a lower GCAS value and higher β were associated with advanced aortic atheroma grade and atheroma progression during the follow-up period. Circumferential deformation of the descending thoracic aorta can be measured using 2-dimentional speckle tracking, and this method has been reported to correlate with aortic stiffness \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR14\" citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Similar to our study, prior data have demonstrated the relationship of arterial stiffness with atherosclerosis \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and aortic atherosclerosis are not yet fully understood. However, increased arterial stiffness can lead to vessel wall damage and accelerate atherosclerosis by increasing intraluminal stress without shock absorption capacity of strong arterial walls \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Elevated shear stress may stimulate excessive collagen production and the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the arterial wall, thereby promoting the progression of atherosclerosis \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. A stiffened aorta can increase pulsatile load on the arterial walls, potentially leading to endothelial dysfunction and promoting the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, increased arterial stiffness can elevate blood pressure and facilitate vascular remodeling \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Given the frequent coexistence of arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, establishing causality can be challenging. Atherosclerosis can result from arterial stiffness and also contribute to further increased arterial stiffness in advanced stages \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This self-perpetuating process reinforces arterial stiffening and the progression of atherosclerosis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, despite the well-documented sexual disparity in the incidence and complications of atheromatous arteriosclerosis\u0026mdash;such as men having a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease and women experiencing more severe outcomes after myocardial infarction\u0026mdash;the literature on clinical and preclinical studies addressing the mechanisms driving sex as a biological variable in atherosclerosis is relatively scarce \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Previous studies on coronary artery disease and carotid plaques suggested that although men have a larger atheroma volume compared to females, the rate of change was similar \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. While younger women showed more regression in both fibrous and non-calcified atheroma volume than men, no significant differences were observed in the progression rate or composition changes of plaques \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. However, there is a limited study of specific studies focusing on sex differences in aortic atheroma. Regarding aortic stiffness, females show more pronounced age-related arterial stiffness than males. Although increasing age is accompanied by increased aortic stiffness in both, females exhibit a steeper decline in aortic elasticity than males \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In our data, although a higher proportion of females had atheroma progression than males, no significant differences in aortic stiffness parameters were observed, with only a tendency for aortic stiffness to be slightly higher in females. This observation aligns with previous findings that increased age is associated with greater arterial stiffness in both sexes, but with a steeper decline in aortic elasticity in females. Additionally, although not statistically significant, the females tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of mild and moderate atheroma grades at baseline. Given that patients with mild atheroma grades showed a higher rate of progression, these factors may contribute to a more pronounced linkage between atheroma progression and female gender. Therefore, while sex differences in atheroma progression exist, our data suggest that aortic stiffness is a more significant factor influencing atheroma changes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral limitations of our study should be noted. Although TEE is a good imaging modality to access aortic atherosclerosis due to its high resolution of aortic intima-lumen interface and reproducibility, it has limitations, especially in evaluating near-field plaques because of distortion and in effectively assessing the distal ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In addition, our measurements focused solely on the measured maximal plaque size, which may not entirely reflect the comprehensive burden of aortic atheroma in detail. However, many previous studies used TEE to estimate aortic atherosclerosis and atheroma \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, considering it affords an excellent assessment of the size and mobility of complicated plaques and overlying thrombi in real time, is highly reproducible and is free of any radiation or contrast agents \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Therefore, in clinical practice, TEE is still commonly used to assess thoracic aortic atherosclerosis, especially in patients with stroke. In addition, our study exclusively investigated the relationship between the atheroma of the aorta, regarded as an elastic artery, and aortic stiffness, potentially limiting its representation of atherosclerosis pathophysiology in medium-sized arteries, which are categorized as muscular arteries. Peripheral arteries are naturally stiffer than central arteries, but age-related increases in stiffness have been reported to be less pronounced in peripheral arteries than in central arteries, and there is limited and conflicting evidence regarding the prognostic value of peripheral arterial stiffness compared with aortic stiffness \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Given these differences in characteristics, additional research is needed to understand the relationship with the natural course of peripheral arteriosclerosis. Finally, as our study was conducted in a single referral tertiary center for patients with stroke, the sample size was relatively small and might not be representative of the general population. Therefore, our findings need to be validated in a larger cohort with a longer follow-up duration. Despite these limitations, our study has a relatively longer follow-up interval compared to previous studies \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e and reflects changes in atheroma during the contemporary era, particularly following the implementation of intense lipid-lowering therapy.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn patients with stroke, aortic atheroma showed dynamic changes over 2 years. Female gender, AIx@75, aorta strain, and aortic stiffness index were associated with the progression of aortic atheroma, suggesting a potential role of aortic stiffness in the trajectory of aortic atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to provide more comprehensive insights into the direct mechanistic relationship between aortic stiffness and changes in aortic atheroma and to confirm whether arterial stiffness can be an effective target to prevent progression of aortic atherosclerosis.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJ.H.J. and S.H.S. contributed to the study conception and design, performed data collection and analysis, interpreted the results, and drafted the manuscript; S.H.S. supervised the study, contributed to the study design and data interpretation, and critically revised the manuscript; H.K.P. provided conceptual guidance, supervised the overall project, and contributed to the final revision of the manuscript; K.Y.K. and D.Y.K. assisted in patient recruitment and data acquisition; J.K., C.W.Y., and J.H.R. provided expert review of imaging data and contributed to the interpretation of echocardiographic findings.All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKronzon, I. \u0026amp; Tunick, P. A. Aortic atherosclerotic disease and stroke. \u003cem\u003eCirculation\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e114\u003c/strong\u003e, 63-75, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.593418 (2006).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSen, S.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Aortic arch atheroma progression and recurrent vascular events in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack. \u003cem\u003eCirculation\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e116\u003c/strong\u003e, 928-935, doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.671727 (2007).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSen, S., Oppenheimer, S. M., Lima, J. \u0026amp; Cohen, B. Risk factors for progression of aortic atheroma in stroke and transient ischemic attack patients. \u003cem\u003eStroke\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e33\u003c/strong\u003e, 930-935 (2002).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZabalgoitia, M.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Transesophageal echocardiographic correlates of clinical risk of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation III Investigators. \u003cem\u003eJ Am Coll Cardiol\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e, 1622-1626, doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(98)00146-6 (1998).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGroup, F. S. o. A. P. i. S. Atherosclerotic disease of the aortic arch as a risk factor for recurrent ischemic stroke. \u003cem\u003eNew England Journal of Medicine\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e334\u003c/strong\u003e, 1216-1221 (1996).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRusso, C.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Atherosclerotic disease of the proximal aorta and the risk of vascular events in a population-based cohort: the Aortic Plaques and Risk of Ischemic Stroke (APRIS) study. \u003cem\u003eStroke\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e, 2313-2318, doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.548313 (2009).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMontgomery, D. H.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Natural history of severe atheromatous disease of the thoracic aorta: a transesophageal echocardiographic study. \u003cem\u003eJ Am Coll Cardiol\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e27\u003c/strong\u003e, 95-101, doi:10.1016/0735-1097(95)00431-9 (1996).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYogo, M.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Intensive lipid lowering therapy with titrated rosuvastatin yields greater atherosclerotic aortic plaque regression: Serial magnetic resonance imaging observations from RAPID study. \u003cem\u003eAtherosclerosis\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e232\u003c/strong\u003e, 31-39 (2014).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYonemura, A.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Effect of lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on atherosclerotic aortic plaques detected by noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging. \u003cem\u003eJournal of the American College of Cardiology\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e45\u003c/strong\u003e, 733-742 (2005).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoldstein, S. A.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Multimodality imaging of diseases of the thoracic aorta in adults: from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging: endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. \u003cem\u003eJournal of the American Society of Echocardiography\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e28\u003c/strong\u003e, 119-182 (2015).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmarengo, P.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e The prevalence of ulcerated plaques in the aortic arch in patients with stroke. \u003cem\u003eNew England Journal of Medicine\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e326\u003c/strong\u003e, 221-225 (1992).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCatalano, M., Lamberti-Castronuovo, A., Catalano, A., Filocamo, D. \u0026amp; Zimbalatti, C. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain imaging in the assessment of mechanical properties of carotid arteries: feasibility and comparison with conventional markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. \u003cem\u003eEuropean Journal of Echocardiography\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e, 528-535, doi:10.1093/ejechocard/jer078 (2011).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBu, Z.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Ascending Aortic Strain Analysis Using 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Improves the Diagnostics for Coronary Artery Stenosis in Patients With Suspected Stable Angina Pectoris. \u003cem\u003eJ Am Heart Assoc\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c/strong\u003e, doi:10.1161/JAHA.118.008802 (2018).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKim, K. 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S., Yazdani, J. \u0026amp; Sharif Nia, H. Relation Between Aortic Stiffness Index and Distensibility with Age in Hypertensive Patients. \u003cem\u003eInt J Gen Med\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e, 297-303, doi:10.2147/IJGM.S253357 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOishi, Y.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e A novel approach to assess aortic stiffness related to changes in aging using a two-dimensional strain imaging. \u003cem\u003eEchocardiography\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e, 941-945, doi:10.1111/j.1540-8175.2008.00725.x (2008).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHirata, K., Kawakami, M. \u0026amp; O\u0026apos;Rourke, M. F. Pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity: a review of blood pressure interpretation 100 years after Korotkov. \u003cem\u003eCirc J\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e70\u003c/strong\u003e, 1231-1239, doi:10.1253/circj.70.1231 (2006).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePecha, S.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Pulse wave analysis of the aortic pressure waveform in patients with vasovagal syncope. \u003cem\u003eHeart Vessels\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e, 74-79, doi:10.1007/s00380-014-0576-6 (2016).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCatalano, M., Lamberti-Castronuovo, A., Catalano, A., Filocamo, D. \u0026amp; Zimbalatti, C. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain imaging in the assessment of mechanical properties of carotid arteries: feasibility and comparison with conventional markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. \u003cem\u003eEur J Echocardiogr\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e, 528-535, doi:10.1093/ejechocard/jer078 (2011).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVan Popele, N. M.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Association between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis: the Rotterdam Study. \u003cem\u003eStroke\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e32\u003c/strong\u003e, 454-460 (2001).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDemer, L. L. Effect of calcification on in vivo mechanical response of rabbit arteries to balloon dilation. \u003cem\u003eCirculation\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e83\u003c/strong\u003e, 2083-2093 (1991).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZieman, S. J., Melenovsky, V. \u0026amp; Kass, D. A. Mechanisms, pathophysiology, and therapy of arterial stiffness. \u003cem\u003eArteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e, 932-943 (2005).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDao, H. H., Essalihi, R., Bouvet, C. \u0026amp; Moreau, P. Evolution and modulation of age-related medial elastocalcinosis: impact on large artery stiffness and isolated systolic hypertension. \u003cem\u003eCardiovascular research\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e66\u003c/strong\u003e, 307-317 (2005).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWentzel, J. J.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Sex-related differences in plaque characteristics and endothelial shear stress related plaque-progression in human coronary arteries. \u003cem\u003eAtherosclerosis\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e342\u003c/strong\u003e, 9-18 (2022).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evan Dam-Nolen, D. H., van Egmond, N. C., Koudstaal, P. J., van der Lugt, A. \u0026amp; Bos, D. Sex differences in carotid atherosclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. \u003cem\u003eStroke\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e54\u003c/strong\u003e, 315-326 (2023).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEl Mahdiui, M.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Sex differences in the natural history of plaque progression by serial coronary computed tomography angiography. \u003cem\u003eEuropean Heart Journal\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e41\u003c/strong\u003e, ehaa946. 0187 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMan, J. J., Beckman, J. A. \u0026amp; Jaffe, I. Z. Sex as a biological variable in atherosclerosis. \u003cem\u003eCirculation research\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e126\u003c/strong\u003e, 1297-1319 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNethononda, R. M.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Gender specific patterns of age-related decline in aortic stiffness: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study including normal ranges. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e17\u003c/strong\u003e, 1-9 (2015).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAhimastos, A. A., Formosa, M., Dart, A. M. \u0026amp; Kingwell, B. A. Gender differences in large artery stiffness pre-and post puberty. \u003cem\u003eThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology \u0026amp; Metabolism\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e88\u003c/strong\u003e, 5375-5380 (2003).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErbel, R.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e 2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of aortic diseases: Document covering acute and chronic aortic diseases of the thoracic and abdominal aorta of the adult. The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). \u003cem\u003eEur Heart J\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e35\u003c/strong\u003e, 2873-2926, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehu281 (2014).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoldstein, S. A.\u003cem\u003e et al.\u003c/em\u003e Multimodality imaging of diseases of the thoracic aorta in adults: from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging: endorsed by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. \u003cem\u003eJ Am Soc Echocardiogr\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e28\u003c/strong\u003e, 119-182, doi:10.1016/j.echo.2014.11.015 (2015).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYu, S. \u0026amp; McEniery, C. M. Central Versus Peripheral Artery Stiffening and Cardiovascular Risk. \u003cem\u003eArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e, 1028-1033, doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.120.313128 (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e. Baseline characteristics according to the temporal change of aortic atheroma\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtheroma change\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRegression\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo change\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProgression\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP for trend\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN=131\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN=14 (10.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN=104 (79.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eN=13 (9.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge, years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.0 [54.5;70.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e56.0 [53.0;70.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.0 [54.0;69.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.0 [60.0;73.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.418\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Gender, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u0026nbsp;Male\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92 (70.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 (85.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76 (73.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (30.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u0026nbsp;Female\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39 (29.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (14.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28 (26.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 (69.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHeight, cm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e165.0 [158.0;170.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e165.0 [160.0;170.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e165.0 [160.0;170.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e158.0 [154.0;167.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.039\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWeight, kg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66.0 [58.0;73.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.0 [58.0;74.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66.0 [59.0;73.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.0 [54.0;71.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.466\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBody mass index, kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.3 [22.0;26.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.7 [23.0;26.4]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.2 [21.9;26.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.5 [22.3;27.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.994\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFollow up, month\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.6 [20.8;26.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.3 [13.9;28.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.7 [21.0;26.6]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.6 [20.7;25.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.985\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComorbidity, n (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (14.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (14.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.600\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHTN\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92 (70.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (57.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74 (71.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (76.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.483\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44 (33.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (42.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (29.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (53.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.168\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePAOD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (3.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (2.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.548\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCAD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.189\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedication, n (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAspirin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (18.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (17.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.837\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlavix\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77 (58.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (57.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61 (58.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (61.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.972\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCilostazol\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32 (24.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26 (24.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.952\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWarfarin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (6.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (15.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (5.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.289\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNOAC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (15.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (15.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16 (15.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (15.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.994\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Atovastatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76 (58.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (76.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61 (58.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (38.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.216\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Pitavastatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (7.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (7.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.997\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- pravastatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.878\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Rosuvastatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31 (23.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (30.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.811\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Simvastatin\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 (9.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (9.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.133\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Statin intensity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;- Low\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (4.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (4.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.075\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;- Moderate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46 (35.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (50.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32 (30.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (53.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.397\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;- High\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79 (60.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (50.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67 (64.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (38.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.113\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAdditional lipid-lowering therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Ezetinib\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43 (32.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38 (36.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (30.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.090\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Fenofibrate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (5.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (6.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.386\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEscalation or change\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (4.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (5.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.445\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLaboratory study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWBC, x 10\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e/L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.5 [6.1;8.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.7 [6.1;7.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.6 [6.1;9.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.9 [6.2;9.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.434\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHb, g/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.1 [13.2;15.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.4 [13.2;14.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.2 [13.3;15.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.2 [12.6;13.6]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHct, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.5 [38.8;43.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.3 [36.9;42.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.7 [39.0;44.3]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.7 [36.7;40.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.014\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePLT, /\u0026mu;L\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e227.0 [193.5;276.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e229.0 [219.0;276.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e224.0 [193.0;276.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e241.0 [191.0;265.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.497\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBUN, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.2 [11.8;17.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.3 [11.2;17.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.8 [11.8;17.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.6 [12.4;15.3]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.864\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCreatinin, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9 [0.8;1.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9 [0.9;1.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9 [0.8;1.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8 [0.7;1.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.722\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eeGFR, ml/min/1.73m\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e83.0 [70.0;95.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.0 [77.0;94.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82.0 [71.0;96.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.0 [67.0;94.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.503\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHbA1c, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.9 [5.5;6.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0 [5.7;6.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.8 [5.5;6.4]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0 [5.6;6.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.608\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eESR, mm/hr\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0 [5.0;14.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.0 [2.0;38.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0 [5.0;11.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0 [5.0;25.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.800\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCRP, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 [0.1;0.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2 [0.1;0.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 [0.0;0.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 [0.1;0.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.427\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLipid profile\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHomocysteine, \u0026mu;g/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4 [8.3;13.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.3 [8.3;15.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4 [7.8;13.4]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.2 [9.2;13.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.917\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLp.a., mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.8 [5.7;20.7]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.6 [8.0;27.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.4 [5.5;19.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.4 [5.7;55.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.344\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eApo.E, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.2 [3.3;5.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.9 [3.2;4.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3 [3.6;5.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1 [3.3;5.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.609\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eApo.B, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e91.7 [76.9;104.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.5 [78.8;104.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e93.2 [78.2;105.3]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80.7 [62.0;95.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.180\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCholesterol, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e177.0 [143.0;202.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e159.0 [129.0;190.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e179.0 [144.0;203.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e162.0 [148.0;174.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.396\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTG, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e110.0 [84.5;147.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e111.0 [110.0;122.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107.0 [69.0;149.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e111.0 [99.0;128.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.650\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.0 [35.5;53.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.0 [39.0;50.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.0 [35.0;53.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.0 [38.0;50.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.807\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e105.0 [81.0;132.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e116.0 [86.0;144.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e105.0 [81.0;130.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98.0 [85.0;111.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.655\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU Cholesterol, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.0 [115.0;145.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e140.0 [122.0;163.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126.0 [115.0;143.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e136.0 [102.0;147.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.175\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU TG, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98.0 [70.5;129.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e122.0 [96.0;142.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e97.0 [70.0;127.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e109.0 [94.0;147.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.298\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU HDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49.0 [42.0;59.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.0 [43.0;53.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.0 [42.0;60.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.0 [42.0;49.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.507\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU LDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66.0 [56.0;76.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.0 [58.0;98.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.0 [56.0;75.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.0 [47.0;78.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.627\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU HbA1c, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.3 [5.8; 6.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.2 [ 5.6;6.7]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.3 [ 5.9;6.9]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.5 [5.9;7.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.597\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026Delta;chol, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-44.0 [-74.0;-14.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-33.0 [-56.0;-11.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-47.1 [-75.0;-16.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-25.0 [-66.0;-10.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.405\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026Delta;TG, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-13.0 [-46.0;28.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-4.0 [-44.0;29.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-15.0 [-51.0;28.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.0 [-17.0;28.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.363\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026Delta;HDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0 [-2.0;14.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0 [0.0;11.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.0 [-2.0;14.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0 [-6.0;9.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.935\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 317px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026Delta;LDL, mg/dL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-42.0 [-64.0;-10.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-30.0 [-54.0;-12.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-45.0 [-64.0;-11.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 168px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-20.0 [-52.0;-2.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 88px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.358\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"6\" style=\"width: 1076px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAF, atrial fibrillation; Apo B, Apolipoprotein B; ApoE, Apolipoprotein E; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; CAD, coronary artery disease; Cr, creatinine; CRP, C-reactive protein; DM, diabetes mellitus; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; FU, follow up; Hb, hemoglobin; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; Hct, hematocrit; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; Lp a, lipoprotein a; NOAC, non-vitamine K oral anticoagulant; PAOD, peripheral artery occlusive disease; TG, triglyceride; WBC, white blood cell \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDelta values are calculated between baseline and follow-up value\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e. Aortic plaque size, grade, pulse wave analysis, and aortic strain analysis data according to the changes in aortic atheroma.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtheroma change\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRegression\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo change\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProgression\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP for trend\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(N=131)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(N=14)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(N=104)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(N=13)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics of aortic atheroma\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAtheroma size, mm\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Maximal, base\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1 [3.5;5.4]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3 [3.8;5.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1 [3.5;5.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.7 [2.6;4.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaximal, FU\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.0 [3.3;5.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.8 [2.5;3.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1 [3.4;5.4]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.9 [4.1;7.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026Delta; maximal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0 [-0.4;0.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1.6 [-1.8;-1.2]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0 [-0.3;0.1]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.4 [1.1;1.8]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBaseline atheroma grade, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Complex\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 (13.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (14.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.111\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Severe\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26 (19.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (19.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.924\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Moderate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66 (50.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7 (50.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55 (52.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 (30.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.340\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Mild\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (16.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (13.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 (46.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFU atheroma grade, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Complex\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (15.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 (14.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (38.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Severe\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23 (17.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 (19.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.110\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Moderate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e66 (50.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (35.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55 (52.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5 (38.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.850\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Mild\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (16.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (57.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (13.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- No\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThrombus, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14 (10.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (21.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 (8.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (15.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.581\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThrombus change, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- No thrombus\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e117 (89.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10 (76.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e96 (91.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (84.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.581\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; - Newly appeared\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 (15.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e- Resolved\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11 (8.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3 (23.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8 (7.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.043\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; - Remnant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 (1.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (0.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.987\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePulse wave analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRadial BP, mmHg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSystolic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149.8 \u0026plusmn; 21.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e128.1 \u0026plusmn; 10.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e151.7 \u0026plusmn; 20.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e151.0 \u0026plusmn; 29.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.145\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDiastolic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.5 [77.0;90.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.5 [80.5;93.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.0 [76.0;89.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87.0 [85.0;117.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.526\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107.5 \u0026plusmn; 12.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101.5 \u0026plusmn; 7.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107.9 \u0026plusmn; 11.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e108.4 \u0026plusmn; 25.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.456\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.2 \u0026plusmn; 23.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.2 \u0026plusmn; 9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.6 \u0026plusmn; 22.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.2 \u0026plusmn; 15.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.035\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAortic BP, mmHg\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSystolic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e141.5 [126.0;153.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e121.0 [108.5;126.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e142.0 [127.0;153.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e157.0 [129.0;157.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.506\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDiastolic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84.0 [79.0;91.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e87.5 [81.5;94.5]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e83.0 [78.0;91.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88.0 [86.0;114.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.445\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e107.5 \u0026plusmn; 12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101.5 \u0026plusmn; 7.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e108.0 \u0026plusmn; 10.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e108.6 \u0026plusmn; 25.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.438\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.3 \u0026plusmn; 23.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.5 \u0026plusmn; 11.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.9 \u0026plusmn; 22.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e67.8 \u0026plusmn; 20.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAIx@75, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.1 \u0026plusmn; 7.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.0 \u0026plusmn; 12.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.1 \u0026plusmn; 6.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.0 \u0026plusmn; 2.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.023\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eED, m/s\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.0 [32.0;38.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.0 [33.5;39.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.0 [32.0;37.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.0 [33.0;39.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSEVR, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149.6 \u0026plusmn; 30.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e166.0 \u0026plusmn; 53.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149.6 \u0026plusmn; 29.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e139.8 \u0026plusmn; 26.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.400\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePWV, m/s\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.8 \u0026plusmn; 2.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5 \u0026plusmn; 1.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.0 \u0026plusmn; 2.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.8 \u0026plusmn; 2.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.452\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOperator index\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98.5 [96.0;100.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98.0 [97.5;99.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e99.0 [96.0;100.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95.0 [92.0;95.0]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAorta strain\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGCAS, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.4 \u0026plusmn; 2.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.2 \u0026plusmn; 2.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.3 \u0026plusmn; 1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.6 \u0026plusmn; 0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorrected GCAS, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 \u0026plusmn; 0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.2 \u0026plusmn; 0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 \u0026plusmn; 0.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1 \u0026plusmn; 0.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFAC, %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.8 \u0026plusmn; 2.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.9 \u0026plusmn; 3.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.7 \u0026plusmn; 2.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.9 \u0026plusmn; 1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.324\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026beta;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.2 \u0026plusmn; 7.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.5 \u0026plusmn; 3.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.3 \u0026plusmn; 8.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.5 \u0026plusmn; 5.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 271px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAortic distensibility, cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/dyn\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.6 \u0026plusmn; 10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.8 \u0026plusmn; 14.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.0 \u0026plusmn; 9.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.4 \u0026plusmn; 3.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 1024px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAIx@75, augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute; BP, blood pressure; \u0026beta;, aortic stiffness index; ED, ejection duration; FAC, fractional area change; FU, follow-up; GCAS, global circumferential strain; MP, mean pressure; PP, pulse pressure; PWV, pulse wave velocity; SEVR, subendocardial viability ratio\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDelta values are calculated between baseline and follow-up value\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3\u003c/strong\u003e. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for the progression of aortic atheroma\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"\" width=\"100%\" class=\"fr-table-selection-hover\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"17\" style=\"width: 966px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAortic Atheroma Progression\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnivariate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"14\" style=\"width: 802px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMultivariate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 149px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR (95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e(95% CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003evalue\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"14\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; Age\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.02 (0.97-1.09)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.418\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.02 (0.95-1.08)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.624\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.01 (0.95-1.08)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.751\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.93 (0.85-1.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.00 (0.92-1.07)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.930\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.97 (0.90-1.04)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.359\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; Female\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.60 (2.00-25.83)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.63 (1.96-26.47)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.88 (1.98-28.49)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.06 (2.13-50.76)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.05 (1.69-25.32)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.41 (1.99-34.61)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; BMI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.99 (0.82-1.18)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.897\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; HTN\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.46 (0.42-6.81)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.580\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.55 (0.80-8.44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.112\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026Delta;LDL\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.01 (0.99-1.02)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.399\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; Baseline atheroma grade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.39 (0.160.84)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.027\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAorta parameters\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAIx@75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.02 (0.90-1.18)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.768\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.97 (0.86-1.11)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.690\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;PWV\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.99 (0.61-1.48)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.957\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.12 (0.67-1.76)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.637\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; GCAS\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.46 (0.26-0.72)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.35 (0.17-0.62)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; FAC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.01 (0.80-1.27)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.916\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.97 (0.73-1.28)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026beta;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.07 (1.00-1.15)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.048\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 99px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.09 (1.02-1.19)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.021\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"18\" style=\"width: 1099px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel 1 to 5 adjusted age and sex with each aorta parameters\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAIx@75, augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute;\u0026nbsp;BMI, body mass index; \u0026beta;, aortic stiffness index; CI, confidence interval; DM, diabetes mellitus;\u0026nbsp;FAC, fractional area change; GCAS, global circumferential strain; HTN, hypertension; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; OR, odds ratio; PWV, pulse wave velocity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Aortic atheroma, stroke, aortic stiffness, gender, transesophageal echocardiography","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAortic atheroma (AA) is an independent risk factor for stroke and may gradually progress, but data on its development are limited. We enrolled 131 stroke patients (mean age 62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;10 years, 92 males) undergoing serial transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). AA was graded based on plaque thickness and complexity; progression was defined as an increase in maximum plaque thickness by one grade or more. Aortic stiffness was assessed through pulse wave analysis and global circumferential aorta strain (GCAS) using 2D speckle tracking. The aortic stiffness index (β) was also calculated. Over a median follow-up of 23.6 [20.8\u0026ndash;26.8] months, AA progressed in 13 (9.9%), regressed in 14 (10.7%), and remained unchanged in 104 (79.4%). Female patients showed more progression (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01), while LDL cholesterol levels, statin dose, and baseline plaque thickness were not significantly linked. GCAS and β were significantly associated (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001 for GCAS; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.041 for β) with AA changes. After adjusting for clinical variables, female gender, GCAS, and β remained significantly related to AA progression (OR 9.06, 95% CI 2.13\u0026ndash;50.76, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.005; OR 0.35, 95% CI 00.17\u0026ndash;0.62, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001; OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02\u0026ndash;1.19, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.021, respectively). AA exhibits dynamic changes over two years in stroke patients. Female gender and aortic stiffness are significantly associated with AA progression, suggesting that aortic stiffness may influence the course of aortic atherosclerosis.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Natural History and Risk Factors of Aortic Atheroma in Stroke Patients: Impact of Aortic Stiffness and Sex Differences","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-11 10:48:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7020102/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-01T14:00:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-31T17:33:21+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-03T16:52:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-02T05:56:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-07-01T11:53:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"1ac15ae9-3a30-41e3-8975-48ab87811076","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 11th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":52566473,"name":"Health sciences/Cardiology"},{"id":52566474,"name":"Health sciences/Diseases"},{"id":52566475,"name":"Health sciences/Medical research"},{"id":52566476,"name":"Health sciences/Risk factors"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-08-11T10:48:21+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-11 10:48:21","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7020102","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7020102","identity":"rs-7020102","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}