Highlight
– AI-based quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT) identifies coronary plaque characteristics with sex-specific prognostic significance.
– Although men exhibit higher total plaque volume and high-risk plaque prevalence, women show a substantially higher relative risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) per unit plaque burden.
– Key AI-QCT features such as total plaque volume, noncalcified plaque, calcified plaque, and percentage atheroma volume predict outcomes more strongly in women.
– These findings advocate for more aggressive preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to women’s cardiovascular risk profiles.
