胰岛素对2型糖尿病合并冠心病患者心肌微循环的影响

目的:通过比较冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉介入治疗(PCI)术后选择胰岛素还是口服降糖药治疗来研究胰岛素对微循环的影响。方法:入组65例冠脉造影明确冠心病且经压力导丝测定心肌血流储备分数(FFR)0.75的患者,植入药物支架后测量微循环阻力指数(IMR),按目前是否应用胰岛素分为联合胰岛素治疗组(胰岛素组,30例)和单纯口服降糖药治疗组(单纯降糖药组,35例),随访半年,复查IMR,比较二者对心肌微循环的影响。结果:两组的主要心血管不良事件(MACEs)发生率无明显统计学差异(P=0.07)。胰岛素组术后半年的IMR水平较单纯降糖药组显著降低[(24.5±3.1)U比(30.2±4.3)U,P0.05]。结论:冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者介入治疗术后胰岛素治疗能显著改善心肌微循环。     

应用TIMI计帧法评估扩张型心肌病患者冠脉血流储备及与超敏C反应蛋白的关系

目的:应用校正的TIMI计帧法(CTFC)来评价扩张型心肌病(DCM)患者的冠脉血流储备(CFR),同时测定超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)的浓度,探讨冠脉血流储备与炎症反应的关系。方法:研究入选31名DCM患者,同时选取29名年龄、性别匹配的健康人作为对照组。两组入选者经冠脉造影证实冠脉形态正常,采用CTFC法测定冠脉的血流速度,采血检测hs-CRP。结果:DCM组主要冠状动脉的TIMI帧数明显高于对照组[前降支:(36±7)帧vs.(27±7)帧,回旋支:(37±7)帧vs.(30±7)帧,右冠状动脉:(37±7)帧vs.(30±7)帧,均P<0.01]。平均TIMI帧数与hs-CRP呈正相关(R=0.721,P<0.01)。结论:CTFC法能够准确有效地评估DCM患者的CFR,DCM患者冠脉TIMI计数显著高于正常对照组,且CFR的受损程度与hs-CRP呈正相关。     

冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉斑块的评价

目的评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检测冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉内斑块性质的价值。方法对86例冠心病患者(糖尿病组42例,非糖尿病组44例)行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像,评价其主要冠状动脉内斑块的性质。结果糖尿病组血管单支、三支病变支数明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.01),糖尿病组左主干、弥漫性病变明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05或P<0.01),重度狭窄病变明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05)。两组患者冠脉内共检测到182个斑块,糖尿病组斑块数目明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05);糖尿病组易损斑块明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05)。结论64层螺旋CT冠脉成像可有效检测冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉斑块性质,对冠心病患者的风险评估具有一定价值。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停与冠状动脉慢血流现象的关系研究

目的探讨冠状动脉慢血流现象的临床特点及其与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)的关系。方法选取冠脉造影显示冠状动脉慢血流现象、冠状动脉无明显狭窄病变的患者204例作为冠脉慢血流组,其中单支冠脉慢血流156例,多支冠脉慢血流48例;随机抽取同期冠脉造影显示冠状动脉血流正常的其他疾病住院治疗患者184例作为对照组,对比两组患者的睡眠呼吸暂停情况;根据呼吸暂停低通气指数(AHI)将冠脉慢血流组发生睡眠呼吸暂停的患者分为轻中度组和重度组,比较冠脉慢血流合并不同程度睡眠呼吸暂停患者的血小板平均体积(MPV)、校正的TIMI帧数(CTFC)。结果 39.22%的冠脉慢血流患者发生OSA,高于对照组的21.74%(P0.05)。多支冠状动脉慢血流组患者AHI显著高于单支冠脉慢血流组(P0.05),夜间最低血氧饱和度(SPO_2)低于单支冠脉慢血流组(P0.05)。冠脉慢血流合并重度OSA组的MPV及CTFC显著高于冠脉慢血流合并轻中度OSA组患者(P0.05)。结论冠状动脉慢血流患者容易发生阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停,且出现慢血流的冠状动脉支数越多,患者的阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停症状越严重,冠脉慢血流合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者病情可能与MPV及CTFC有关。     

血管内超声对冠状动脉弥漫性斑块的应用价值

目的:应用血管内超声(IVUS)对冠状动脉(冠脉)弥漫性斑块患者进行检查,比较IVUS与冠脉造影(CAG)对冠脉弥漫性斑块的诊断价值。方法:对经CAG发现冠脉弥漫性狭窄或可疑的39例患者(39支冠脉血管,其中左前降支16例,左回旋支12例,右冠脉11例)同时进行IVUS检查,对照这2种检查结果进行比较。结果:CAG显示的病变血管狭窄程度(面积狭窄率)及斑块累及长度明显低于IVUS所示的结果,而IVUS显示斑块累及范围明显大于CAG结果[(39.48±9.33)mm∶(30.26±8.57)mm],在弥漫性斑块累及冠脉的狭窄率上IVUS高于CAG[(67.2±8.1)%∶(60.3±7.3)%],二者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。CAG无法显示冠脉内形态及斑块性状,而通过IVUS可以清晰显示斑块的形态与性状。结论:对于冠脉内弥漫性斑块,CAG低估了病变程度,IVUS可以直接看到冠脉的横截面,从而明确冠脉狭窄的性状和严重程度,相对于CAG来说,IVUS是评价弥漫性斑块的一种精确方式。     

冠心病合并糖耐量异常患者冠脉病变特点及其危险因素研究

目的　探讨糖尿病前期冠脉病变的特点及危险因素。方法　 193例冠心病患者根据 1997年美国糖尿病学会诊断标准分为单纯冠心病组 12 2例 ,冠心病合并糖耐量异常组 39例 ,冠心病合并糖尿病组 32例 ,所有研究对象均行冠脉造影和口服 75 g葡萄糖耐量实验 ,检测血糖、胰岛素、血脂、血压、BUN、Cr。冠脉病变程度应用 CAG分析 ,冠脉狭窄程度根据 AHA分类标准评价 ,冠脉病变的危险因素应用多元逐步直线回归分析。结果　 (1)冠心病合并糖耐量异常组多支冠脉病变的发生率明显高于单纯冠心病组 (6 6 .5 % vs 35 .1% ,P <0 .0 5 )。冠脉狭窄程度 (8.9± 3.6 vs 6 .5± 3.9,P<0 .0 5 )及钙化的程度明显高于单纯冠心病组 (6 .6± 6 .1vs 3.9± 4 .1,P <0 .0 5 ) ,冠脉远端的病变发生率明显高于单纯冠心病组 (40 .8% vs 13.1% ,P <0 .0 5 )。 (2 )冠心病合并糖耐量异常组与冠心病合并糖尿病组相比 ,多支冠脉病变的发生率、冠脉粥样硬化及钙化的程度及冠脉远端的病变发生率差异性不明显。(3)血脂、胰岛素、血压、肥胖与冠脉粥样硬化程度有明显相关性。结论　与糖尿病患者相似 ,糖耐量异常患者多支冠脉病变的发生率明显升高 ,病变多呈弥漫性狭窄 ,远端血管病变发生率较高 ,程度严重 ,血脂、胰岛素、血压、肥胖为发生冠脉     

不同年龄急性心肌梗死患者冠脉造影及血管内超声特征研究

目的 观察不同年龄急性心肌梗死(AMI)的冠脉造影和罪犯病变血管内超声(IVUS)特征.方法 入选2003年6月至2006年6月于杭州市第一人民医院行介入治疗的AMI患者236例,其中42例年龄≤50岁分入A组,194例年龄＞50岁分入B组,应用冠脉造影观察冠脉病变特点.冠脉介入治疗前应用IVUS观察14例A组和38例B组AMI患者罪犯病变,测量血管外弹力膜面积,最小管腔面积,斑块面积,狭窄程度,斑块纤维帽厚度,脂核大小,脂核负荷和斑块破裂情况等.结果 吸烟、酗酒和冠心病家族史在A组多见,B组多合并高血压、糖尿病.A组单支血管病变发生率高,而B组多支血管病变发生率高且侧支循环形成多;IVUS发现2组罪犯病变均主要表现为斑块不稳定和破裂,部分A组患者冠脉血管无严重病变,A组血管病变脂核大,纤维帽薄,B组罪犯病变狭窄程度重,斑块面积大,纤维帽厚度较厚,脂核较小.结论 AMI主要由于斑块不稳定和破裂所致,不同年龄AMI冠脉病变特征和危险因素不同,提示不同年龄患者预防AMI各有侧重.     

冠心病患者血管内超声下斑块性质与H型高血压的关系

目的:利用血管内超声(IVUS)技术探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉(冠脉)粥样斑块性质与H型高血压的关系。方法:选取我院2011-1-2013-10收治的71例高血压合并冠心病的患者,其中稳定型心绞痛22例,急性冠脉综合征49例。所有患者均行冠脉造影检查确诊,冠脉造影后对靶病变进行IVUS检查,分析IVUS下斑块性质并计算血管重构指数。术前测定血浆同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)及血脂水平,据此将患者分为H型高血压组(Hcy≥10μmol/L,42例)和非H型高血压组(Hcy10μmol/L,29例),分析H型高血压与斑块性质的关系。结果:H型高血压组软斑块者76.2%,斑块破裂者40.5%,夹层及血栓形成者30.9%,均较非H型高血压组(61.7%、13.8%、13.8%)多见(均P0.05)。结论:H型高血压与冠脉局部斑块性质有关,H型高血压使冠脉局部斑块的易损性增高。     

女性冠心病患者冠状动脉内斑块组织虚拟性血管内超声影像学特征

目的探讨女性冠心病患者冠状动脉斑块在血管内超声(IVUS)下的表现特点。方法将28例经过冠脉造影检查确诊为冠心病的患者分为两组:女性组15例;男性组13例。对其病变最狭窄处行IVUS检查。结果两组患者年龄比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组纤维斑块、脂肪斑块含量比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);而钙化斑块和混合斑块含量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论女性冠心病患者的特点是斑块中脂质成分含量丰富,纤维成分含量少,更易出现破裂诱发血栓形成,引起心血管事件。     

冠状动脉血管内超声在冠状动脉支架置入术中的应用价值

目的探讨冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)冠状动脉(冠脉)血管内超声(IVUS)病变特点及IVUS在冠脉支架置入术中的应用价值。方法选取2016年5月~2017年3月于郑州大学附属洛阳中心医院就诊的68例冠心病患者,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各34例。两组均接受IVUS检查,同时对照组经冠状动脉造影(CAG)指导实施冠脉支架置入术,观察组经IVUS指导实施冠脉支架置入术。统计分析冠脉病变IVUS检查特征、治疗前后病变血管最狭窄部位最小血管直径(MLD)、斑块负荷、直径狭窄率(DS)变化情况、支架置入率及达标率,并于1年后随访,统计对比两组心脏事件发生率。结果 IVUS检查可知68例患者中,冠脉狭窄程度70%者占11.76%,最小管腔面积4 mm~2者占50.00%;治疗后两组MLD较治疗前增加,斑块负荷及DS较治疗前减小,且观察组MLD高于对照组,斑块负荷及DS小于对照组(P0.05);观察组支架置入率94.12%及达标率88.24%高于对照组(70.59%、64.71%,P0.05);两组心血管事件发生率比较,观察组11.76%低于对照组20.58%,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论经IVUS检查可有效检出冠心病冠脉病变特征,于其辅助下实施冠脉支架置入术效果显著,可有效增加血管直径,减小斑块负荷,提高支架置入率及达标率,降低不良心血管事件发生风险,具有推广价值。     

Characterization of non-calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaque by multi-detector row CT: comparison to IVUS

Multi-detector row Computed Tomography (MDCT) permits non-invasive visualization of the coronary arteries. The ability to visualize and, with limitations, to characterize non-calcified coronary atherosclerotic plaque has been described. We investigated the CT attenuation of non-calcified plaques as determined by 16-slice MDCT in comparison to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were investigated by contrast-enhanced 16-slice CT. In addition, IVUS of one coronary artery (motorized pullback) was performed (LM+LAD: 22, LM+LCX: 4, RCA: 6). At 252 sites within the coronary system, in which non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque could be identified both in MDCT and IVUS, the CT attenuation within the plaque was measured using a centrally placed region of interest and correlated to the appearance of the plaque in IVUS at the corresponding location. The mean CT attenuation within plaque that corresponded to hyper-echogenic appearance in IVUS was 121+/-34HU (n=76). The mean CT attenuation within plaque that corresponded to hypo-echogenic appearance was 58+/-43HU (n=176, p<0.001). However, there was substantial overlap of the density values measured by MDCT in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference of the mean CT attenuation within atherosclerotic lesions of hypo-echogenic and hyper-echogenic appearance in IVUS could be observed. However, we observed substantial overlap of attenuation values between plaque types so that the differentiation of "vulnerable" and "stable" plaques based on their CT attenuation is doubtful.     

Accuracy of nonstenotic coronary atherosclerosis assessment by multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The ability to evaluate coronary stenosis using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been well discussed. In contrast, several studies demonstrated that the plaque burden measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has a relationship to the risk of cardiovascular events. the accuracy of MDCT was studied to determine plaque and vessel size compared with IVUS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six proximal lesions (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification: segment 1, 5, 6) from 33 patients were assessed using MDCT and IVUS. The plaque and vessel area were measured from the cross-sectional image using both MDCT and IVUS. Eight coronary artery lesions with motion artifacts and heavily calcified plaques were excluded from the analysis. The vessel and lumen size evaluated using MDCT were closely correlated with those evaluated by IVUS (R(2)=0.614, 0.750 respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between percentage plaque area assessed by MDCT and IVUS (R(2)=0.824). CONCLUSION: MDCT can noninvasively quantify coronary atherosclerotic plaque with good correlation compared with IVUS in patients with atherosclerosis.     

The site of plaque rupture in native coronary arteries: a three-vessel intravascular ultrasound analysis

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the axial location of plaque ruptures in native coronary arteries. BACKGROUND: It is clinically important to understand the potential sites of plaque rupture. METHODS: We performed three-vessel intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination in 392 patients; 231 had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 161 had stable angina pectoris (SAP). The IVUS detected plaque ruptures in 206 patients: 158 ACS patients and 48 SAP patients. The distance between each coronary plaque rupture segment and the respective coronary ostium was measured with motorized IVUS transducer pullback in all three coronary arteries. RESULTS: There were a total of 273 plaque ruptures in these 206 patients; 143 in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), 40 in the left circumflex artery (LCX), and 90 in the right coronary artery (RCA). There were 67 plaque ruptures in SAP patients and 206 in ACS patients; there were 197 culprit/target lesion plaque ruptures and 76 non-culprit/non-target lesion plaque ruptures. The LAD plaque ruptures were predominantly located between 10 and 40 mm from the LAD ostium (83%, 119 of 143). The LCX plaque ruptures were evenly distributed in the entire LCX tree. Most RCA plaque ruptures were located in segments between 10 and 40 mm (48%, 43 of 90) and in segments >70 mm from the ostium (32%, 29 of 90). CONCLUSIONS: Three-vessel IVUS imaging showed that plaque ruptures occurred mainly in proximal segments of the LAD (83% of LAD plaque rupture), the proximal and distal segments of the RCA (48% and 32% of RCA plaque ruptures, respectively), and the entire LCX.     

稳定型心绞痛患者与不稳定心绞痛患者冠状动脉血管内超声特点的比较

目的:通过对稳定型心绞痛（SAP）与不稳定心绞痛（UAP）患者冠状动脉血管内超声（IVUS）测定,进行斑块定性及定量分析,比较不同心绞痛患者冠状动脉斑块影像学特征性改变。方法:分别对37例SAP患者与34例UAP患者行冠状动脉造影及IVUS影像学检查;分析冠状动脉斑块性质,测定最小面积处外弹力膜面积（EEMA）、管腔横截面积、斑块面积（PA）、斑块负荷、重构指数等指标,并对各指标进行统计学分析。结果:UAP患者冠状动脉病变脂质斑块数明显多于SAP患者（P＜0.05）,而钙化斑块例数在两组间未见显著性差异;定量分析显示两组患者EEMA未见显著差异,而斑块负荷（PA/EEMA）的比较中两组间有显著性差异（P＜0.01）。UAP患者病变处倾向于表现为正性重构,而SAP患者多为负性重构。结论:SAP与UAP冠状动脉病变斑块性质及血管重构存在差异,IVUS能有效反映冠状动脉病变斑块特点。     

Comparison of virtual histology to intravascular ultrasound of culprit coronary lesions in acute coronary syndrome and target coronary lesions in stable angina pectoris

Coronary plaque composition cannot be assessed accurately using gray-scale intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Using virtual histology IVUS (VH-IVUS), a comparison of coronary plaque composition between acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) was performed. Preintervention IVUS of de novo culprit and target lesions was performed in 318 patients (123 with ACS and 195 with SAP). Using VH-IVUS, plaque was characterized as fibrotic, fibrofatty, dense calcium, and necrotic core. VH-IVUS-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) was defined as necrotic core>or=10% of plaque area without overlying fibrous tissue in a plaque burden>or=40%. Lesions were classified into 3 groups: ruptured, VH-TCFA, and non-VH-TCFA plaque. Unstable lesions were defined as either VH-TCFA or ruptured plaque. Compared with patients with SAP, those with ACS had significantly more unstable lesions (89% vs 62%, p<0.001). Planar VH-IVUS analysis at the minimum luminal site and at the largest necrotic core site and volumetric analysis over a 10-mm-long segment centered at the minimum luminal site showed that the percentage of necrotic core was significantly greater and that the percentage of fibrofatty plaque was significantly smaller in patients with ACS. The percentages of fibrotic and fibrofatty plaque areas and volumes were smaller, and the percentages of necrotic core areas and volumes were larger in VH-TCFAs compared with non-TCFAs. Ruptured plaques in VH-IVUS analyses showed intermediate findings between VH-TCFAs and non-VH-TCFAs. In conclusion, culprit lesions in patients with ACS were more unstable and had greater amounts of necrotic core and smaller amounts of fibrofatty plaque compared with target lesions in patients with SAP.     

Limitation of angiography to identify the culprit plaque in acute myocardial infarction with coronary total occlusion utility of coronary plaque temperature measurement to identify the culprit plaque.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the maximal temperature (Tmax) site, as measured by thermal wire, coincides with the culprit plaque by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Subsequent thrombosis developing to the proximal region from the site of plaque rupture or erosion can potentially complicate the ability of coronary angiography to identify the accurate culprit plaque in patients with coronary total occlusion. METHODS: In 45 consecutive patients with a first anterior AMI, the Tmax site by thermal wire and the culprit plaque by IVUS were evaluated in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had LAD total occlusion, and the remaining 20 had LAD reperfusion. In both groups of patients, the Tmax site was significantly more distal to the angiographically most stenotic site or occlusive site (reperfusion: mean distance [MD] = 1.1 mm distal, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3 to 1.9 mm, p = 0.01; total occlusion: MD = 8.8 mm distal, 95% CI 8.0 to 9.6 mm, p < 0.0001). The culprit plaques by IVUS approximately coincided with those by angiography or thermal wire in patients with reperfusion. However, the angiographic occlusive site was significantly more proximal to the culprit plaque by IVUS (MD = 9.2 mm, 95% CI 7.9 to 10.6 mm, p < 0.0001), but the Tmax site coincided with the culprit plaque by IVUS (MD = 0.3 mm distal, 95% CI 0.3 mm proximal to 1.0 mm distal, p = 0.293) in patients with total occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature measurement of coronary plaque enables accurate localization of the culprit plaque in AMI with coronary total occlusion.     

光学相干断层成像和血管内超声在冠状动脉介入手术中的应用

目的 应用光学相干断层成像(OCT)及血管内超声(IVUS)检测技术评价冠状动脉内粥样硬化斑块的稳定性,并指导支架置入,检测血管对置入支架后即刻和中远期的反应.方法 选择2008年2-7月间的27例患者,进行冠状动脉造影、OCT及IVUS检查,共检查了30支血管,其中8处为药物支架植入术后血管,并对19处病变进行了支架置入.结果 除外支架置入的8例(置入6个月～4年)外,其余22例病变行OCT及IVUS检查,发现稳定性斑块5例,不稳定斑块17例,其中OCT检出内膜小撕裂4例(IVUS未检出,P＞0.05),冠状动脉撕裂伴夹层病变5例(IVUS检出1例,P＞0.05),血栓形成5例(IVUS检出1例,P＞0.05),偏心斑块伴薄纤维帽12例(IVUS检出2例,P＜0.01).8例曾经进行支架治疗的患者,造影、OCT和IVUS发现2例再狭窄;OCT显示支架内膜覆盖良好,IVUS小能精确看到内膜;OCT检测出1例患者有支架后瘤样扩张.对17例不稳定性斑块及2例支架再狭窄病例行支架置入术,术后支架膨胀不良发生率26.0%,OCT及IVUS检出率相同;支架贴壁不良发生率63.2%,IVUS榆出率低于OCT(10.5%比63.2%,P＜0.01);支架近远端撕裂10.5%,IVUS均不能检出;内膜脱垂发生率52.6%,IVUS检出率低于OCT(10.5%比52.6%,P＜0.05).结论 OCT与IVUS相比,在不稳定性斑块检测准确度方面明显优于IVUS,更能精确指导冠状动脉支架置人.IVUS在操作简便性及反映斑块负荷方面要优于OCT.     

Morphology of vulnerable coronary plaque: insights from follow-up of patients examined by intravascular ultrasound before an acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To determine the morphologic features of coronary plaques associated with acute coronary syndrome, we prospectively followed patients with atherosclerotic disease identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). BACKGROUND: Although clinical evaluation of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is important, few data exist regarding the morphology of the vulnerable plaque in clinical settings. METHODS: We examined 114 coronary sites without significant stenosis by angiography (<50% diameter stenosis) in 106 patients. All the sites exhibited atherosclerotic lesions by IVUS. These lesions consisted of 22 concentric and 92 eccentric plaques with a percent plaque area averaging 59 +/- 12%. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 21.8 +/- 6.4 months (range 1 to 24), 12 patients had an acute coronary event at a previously examined coronary site at an average of 4.0 +/- 3.4 months after the initial IVUS study. All the preexisting plaques related to the acute events exhibited an eccentric pattern and the mean percent plaque area was 67 +/- 9%, which was greater than plaque area in the other 90 patients without acute events (57 +/- 12%, p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in lumen area between two patient groups (6.7 +/- 3.0 vs. 7.5 +/- 3.7 mm2). Among 12 coronary sites with an acute occlusion, 10 sites contained the echolucent zones, eight of these shallow and two deep, likely representing a lipid-rich core. In 90 sites without acute events, an echolucent zone in the shallow portion was seen at only four sites (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Large eccentric plaque containing an echolucent zone by IVUS can be at increased risk for instability even though the lumen area is preserved at the time of initial study. Compensatory enlargement of vessel wall due to remodeling may contribute to the relatively small degree of stenosis by angiography.     

Long-term effect of perindopril on coronary atherosclerosis progression (from the perindopril's prospective effect on coronary atherosclerosis by angiography and intravascular ultrasound evaluation [PERSPECTIVE] study)

The multicenter EUROPA trial of 12,218 patients showed that perindopril decreased adverse clinical events in patients with established coronary heart disease. The PERSPECTIVE study, a substudy of the EUROPA trial, evaluated the effect of perindopril on coronary plaque progression as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In total 244 patients (mean age 57 years, 81% men) were included. Evaluable paired quantitative coronary angiograms were obtained from 96 patients randomized to perindopril and from 98 patients to placebo. Concomitant treatment at baseline consisted of aspirin (90%), lipid-lowering agents (70%), and beta blockers (60%). The primary and secondary end point was the difference of minimum and mean lumen diameters (quantitative coronary angiography) or mean plaque cross-sectional area (IVUS) measured at baseline and 3-year follow-up between the perindopril and placebo groups. After a median follow-up of 3.0 years (range 1.9 to 4.1), no differences in change in quantitative coronary angiographic or IVUS measurements were detected between the perindopril and placebo groups (minimum and mean luminal diameters -0.07 +/- 0.4 vs -0.02 +/- 0.4 mm, p = 0.34; mean luminal diameter -0.05 +/- 0.2 vs -0.05 +/- 0.3 mm, p = 0.89; mean plaque cross-sectional area -0.18 +/- 1.2 vs -0.02 +/- 1.2 mm(2), p = 0.48). In conclusion, we found no progression in coronary artery disease by quantitative coronary angiography and IVUS with long-term administration of perindopril or placebo, possibly because most patients were on concomitant treatment with a statin.     

Serum tenascin-C level is associated with coronary plaque rupture in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Tenascin-C, a large oligometric glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix, increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases that lead to plaque instability and rupture, resulting in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We hypothesized that a high serum tenascin-C level is associated with plaque rupture in patients with ACS. Fifty-two consecutive ACS patients who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and, as a control, 66 consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were obtained from the ascending aorta just prior to the PCI procedures. After coronary guide-wire crossing, intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) was performed for assessment of plaque characterization. Based on the IVUS findings, ACS patients were assigned to two groups according to whether there was ruptured plaque (ruptured ACS group) or not (nonruptured ACS group). There were 23 patients in the ruptured group and 29 patients in the nonruptured group. Clinical characteristics and IVUS measurements did not differ between the two groups. Tenascin-C levels were significantly higher in the ruptured ACS group than in the SAP group, whereas there was no significant difference between the nonruptured ACS and SAP groups. Importantly, in the ruptured ACS group, tenascin-C levels were significantly higher than in the nonruptured ACS group (71.9 ± 34.9 vs 50.5 ± 20.5 ng/ml, P < 0.005). Our data demonstrate that tenascin-C level is associated with pathologic conditions in ACS, especially the presence of ruptured plaque.