revealed carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) greater than or equal
to 2.5mmin the left, right, or both carotid arteries were selected for carotid
MRI scanning from October 2007 until August 2010. MRI of the carotid
arteries was performed on a 1.5-T MRI scanner with a bilateral phasedarray
surface coil. Participants were recorded as positive for the presence
of any plaque component if the component was identified in
one or both carotid arteries. The ultrasonography and carotid MRI protocol,
reading, and reproducibility are described in detail in the online
supplement (7, 12)