Haptoglobin 2-2 genotype is associated with presence and progression of MRI depicted atherosclerotic intraplaque hemorrhage

Patients with the Hp2-2 genotype had a significantly higher prevalence of carotid baseline IPH, which progressed over a two year follow up period. Detection of pre-symptomatic vascular disease using haptoglobin genotyping may allow for better risk stratification of populations at risk of stroke and in need of more targeted imaging investigations.