Intra-arterial thrombus formation

These soft plaques in the coronary arteries may either correspond to unstable lipid-rich soft plaques or an intra-coronary thrombus formation. In asymptomatic patients and patients with chronic and stable coronary artery disease, frequently non-calcified and calcified plaques were found. The CT density of these plaques maybe in the range of 90 HU and may correspond to stable fibrous rich or fibro-calcified plaques, respectively (Becker et al. 2003). 

Ischemic strokes account for 88% of all strokes and are due either to local thrombus formation or to emboli that occlude a cerebral artery. Cerebral atherosclerosis is a causative factor in most cases of ischemic stroke, although 30% are of unknown etiology. Emboli can arise either from intra- or extracranial arteries. Twenty percent of embolic strokes arise from the heart. 

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