Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque

A Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque is an atherosclerotic plaque that lacks calcium depositions and consists primarily of lipid-rich material and fibrous tissue.

• AKA: Soft Plaque, Non-Calcified Plaque, Lipid-Rich Plaque.
• Context:
  • It can typically contain Lipid Cores with cholesterol crystals.
  • It can typically demonstrate Low CT Attenuation on coronary imaging.
  • It can typically present Plaque Vulnerability due to thin fibrous cap.
  • It can typically show Positive Remodeling in vessel wall.
  • It can typically indicate Early Atherosclerosis before calcium deposition.
  • ...
  • It can often produce Zero Calcium Score on agatston scoring.
  • It can often require Contrast-Enhanced Imaging for plaque detection.
  • It can often demonstrate High-Risk Features including napkin-ring sign.
  • It can often progress to Calcified Plaque over time.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Small Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque to being a Large Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque, depending on its plaque volume.
  • It can range from being a Stable Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque to being a Vulnerable Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque, depending on its plaque morphology.
  • ...
  • It can be visualized by Coronary CTA with contrast enhancement.
  • It can be characterized through Plaque Analysis Software measuring plaque composition.
  • It can rupture causing Acute Coronary Events despite zero calcium score.
  • It can respond to Intensive Statin Therapy with plaque regression.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Non-Calcified Plaque Locations, such as:
    • Proximal LAD Non-Calcified Plaque in left anterior descending origin.
    • Mid-RCA Non-Calcified Plaque within right coronary artery.
    • Distal LCx Non-Calcified Plaque in circumflex artery.
  • Non-Calcified Plaque Morphologies, such as:
    • Low-Attenuation Non-Calcified Plaque showing lipid-rich core.
    • Fibrous Non-Calcified Plaque with fibrous tissue predominance.
    • Fibrofatty Non-Calcified Plaque containing mixed composition.
  • Non-Calcified Plaque Features, such as:
    • Napkin-Ring Non-Calcified Plaque with ring-like enhancement.
    • Spotty Non-Calcified Plaque showing punctate pattern.
    • Remodeled Non-Calcified Plaque demonstrating positive remodeling.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque, which contains calcium deposits rather than being purely soft.
  • Mixed Atherosclerotic Plaque, which has both calcified and non-calcified components rather than purely non-calcified.
  • Fibrous Plaque, which consists of dense fibrous tissue rather than lipid-rich content.
• See: Atherosclerotic Plaque, Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque, Mixed Atherosclerotic Plaque, Vulnerable Plaque, Coronary Atherosclerosis Disease.

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