PLA2G7 and carotid atherosclerosis: Systemic inflammation plays a pivotal role on plaque development and vulnerability [5, 6] and several studies have analyzed the linkage between carotid atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) [6–12].