Table 1.

Modified AHA classification of atherosclerotic plaque

Modified AHA Classification for aortic CMR (derived from carotid MRI [13])
Type I–II: near-normal wall thickness, no calcification, not visible because of limited spatial resolution
Type III: intimal thickening with no calcification or small eccentric plaque without calcification
Type IV–V: plaque with a lipid or necrotic core surrounded by fibrous tissue with possible calcification
Type VI: complex plaque with possible surface defect, hemorrhage, or thrombus
Type VII: calcified plaque without features of VI
Type VIII: fibrotic plaque without lipid core and with possible small calcifications without features of VI