The present study was undertaken to systematically investigate whether calcification of
elastic fibers occurs in human atherosclerotic plaques. Fourteen carotid artery segments
obtained by endarterectomy were examined by a combination of electron microscopy and
cytochemistry. The analysis demonstrated that calcification of elastic fibers occurred in all 14
specimens. Two distinct types of calcification of elastic fibers were identified. In type I
calcification, elastin itself was observed to undergo calcification and no visible structural …