Lectine Pathway in Unstable Carotid Plaque

In addition to the known hemodynamic criteria, instable carotid plaques can be responsible for brain ischemia, therefore is paramount to identify preoperatively possible markers of plaque instability. The study is aimed to investigate the possible role of lectin pathway - an alternative pathway of complement activation - in affecting stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques and the possible correlations with clinical neurologic features. Study population will include 40 patients with internal carotid artery stenosis \>=70% (assessed by echocolordoppler), symptomatic or asymptomatic, surgically treated by endoarterectomy. Removed plaques will be evaluated by histologic exam and immunofluorescence for ficolins 1-2-3 and Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL). Plasma samples will be used for ELISA test of lectin pathway complement activation.