In conclusion, this study shows an increased risk of carotid
artery plaque formation and of presence of vulnerable plaques
with a lipid core in population-based elderly patients with
COPD. Clinicians should be aware that asymptomatic carotid
atherosclerosis is more prevalent in subjects with COPD and that
COPD as a systemic inflammatory disease might lead to vulnerable
plaques by inducing or aggravating the presence of a lipid
core. This important observation may advance further research
in the prevention of ischemic strokes, a devastating complication
of carotid atherosclerosis