Analysis of atherosclerosis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and scanning acoustic microscopy.

Calcium deposition within the atherosclerotic plaques is the precursor of cardiovascular complications. Therefore, determination of levels of minerals and trace elements in blood plays an important role in assigning the stage of atherosclerosis. In this study, determination of mineral and trace element levels in atherosclerotic patients is aimed. Mineral and trace element levels within serum samples of 12 atherosclerotic patients were evaluated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) levels were examined. Human carotid atherosclerotic plaque samples were previously screened by Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) and sound speed maps of the plaques showed higher sound speed values in the calcified regions, when compared to collagen-rich regions, indicating accumulation of calcium. Element analysis also showed increased Ca levels within serum samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that Ca deposition can be examined by ICP-OES and SAM, indicating that these techniques are confirmatory and may be combined to characterize atherosclerosis in the future.