Calcified arterial plaque (null)

Calcified arterial plaque is a rigid, mineral-rich deposit that accumulates inside arterial walls during atherosclerosis. It forms as soft, fatty plaque matures and undergoes pathological calcification, caused largely by inflammation, lipid accumulation, and dysregulated calcium metabolism[1][3][5]. Calcified plaque narrows arteries, restricts blood flow, and increases the risk for cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death[1][3][5]. Its clinical presence is quantified by the coronary artery calcium score, an important biomarker for cardiac risk. Several drugs and gene targets have been identified for potential repurposing or development to limit or reverse arterial calcification, but no therapy is fully effective as of now[2][4]. Safety concerns with anti-calcification drugs primarily involve their effects on bone health and systemic calcium balance[4]. This entry is not a canonical receptor or molecule, but it is a high-priority tissue-level therapeutic target in cardiovascular medicine[2][4][6].

Other names

arterial calcificationarterial plaquevascular calcificationcalcified plaque

Inhibition of calcium deposit formation (e.g., SNF472 inhibits hydroxyapatite crystal growth)[4]; Modulation of lipid/cholesterol levels and inflammation (statins)[1]; Modulation of molecular pathways involved in calcification (e.g., ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC6 influences pyrophosphate metabolism[2][4])