Alkhalil M, et al. - Researchers used a recently-validated, highly-sensitive T2 mapping magnetic resonance (MRI) technique to determine the extent of carotid plaque lipid in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the impact on plaque lipid content of starting a high-intensity statin and to investigate if plaque lipid content is associated with standard or “functional” blood lipid measurements. They observed 23 out of 24 patients had measurable lipid. They found reduced carotid plaque lipid on T2-mapping following the start of high-intensity statin treatment. Standard or “functional” blood biomarkers were dissociated from plaque lipid content or changes with treatment. Disease characterization was suggested to be more important than risk factor assessment.