# Regressing calcifications in the carotid artery: What’s going on? A case series

## TL;DR

This case series reports a surprising decrease in carotid artery calcifications over two years in three elderly men, challenging the belief that calcifications only progress or stay the same.

## Contribution

The study introduces the novel observation that carotid calcifications may regress, potentially impacting atherosclerosis prevention strategies.

## Key findings

- Three patients showed reduced carotid calcifications over a 2-year period.
- The observed calcification regression challenges the assumption that calcifications only progress or stabilize.
- The phenomenon may have implications for understanding and managing atherosclerosis and stroke prevention.

## Abstract

This case series describes a finding that carotid calcifications could decrease during follow-up, as the predominant idea is that calcifications either progress or stabilize over time. This novel finding is of great interest considering that potential regression of calcifications could affect prevention strategies for atherosclerosis and ischemic stroke. We describe 3 patients (3 men, age ranging from 72 to 75 years) with decrease in carotid calcifications during 2-year follow-up. All 3 patients had macrocalcifications and used different medications during follow-up. This remarkable finding gives new insights in the natural course of atherosclerosis as a main cause of ischemic stroke. Further study is needed to investigate whether this is a harmful or beneficial process and to unravel pathophysiological mechanisms.