Acute coronary syndrome in adult patients with coronary artery lesions caused by Kawasaki disease: review of case reports

Information about acute coronary syndrome caused by Kawasaki disease-related coronary artery lesions in adults is sketchy. We reviewed the clinical features of 50 adult patients who had an acute coronary syndrome caused by coronary artery lesions due to Kawasaki disease or probable Kawasaki disease from 1980 to 2008. Of the 50 patients, 43 (90%) were male and seven were female (10%). Their ages at the onset of acute coronary syndrome ranged from 18 to 69 years, with a median of 28 years. The culprit lesion in 43 patients was thrombotic occlusion of an aneurysm, and 40 patients had giant aneurysms. In the three patients in whom no aneurysms were seen in coronary angiograms performed at the time of acute myocardial infarction, either giant aneurysms or aneurysms had been visualised in childhood. The initial treatment of acute coronary syndrome was as follows: intracoronary thrombolysis, 11; primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 9; emergency coronary artery bypass grafting, 3; and medication, 26. Elective coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 15 patients. Three patients (6%) died. Of the 27 patients with additional coronary risk factors, 20 were smokers. Giant aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease continued to cause acute coronary syndrome in adult life with onset at a younger age than typifies that due to atherosclerosis in the general population, especially in male population rather than female population. Even when giant aneurysms regressed after the acute phase, a few patients still developed acute coronary syndrome in adult life. Smoking appears to be the most prominent additional risk factor.     

Clinical features in adults with coronary arterial lesions caused by presumed Kawasaki disease

There exists a population of adults with undiagnosed coronary arterial lesions due to Kawasaki disease occurring before 1967. We report the clinical features in 6 adult males with coronary arterial lesions caused by presumed Kawasaki disease, whose dates of birth ranged from 1945 to 1963. The age of the diagnosed coronary arterial lesions due to presumed Kawasaki disease ranged from 26 to 48 years. In 4 patients, there was a history of probable Kawasaki disease. The presenting features were chest pain in 2; syncope in 1, an abnormal electrocardiogram in 2; a history of presumed Kawasaki disease in 1, and symptomatic myocardial infarction in the final patient. Coronary angiograms revealed multi-vessel disease in 5 patients, with segmental stenosis in 5, and calcified giant aneurysms in the proximal portion of the coronary arteries also in 5. Low left ventricular ejection fractions of less than 40% were found in 3. Of the patients, 3 had undergone coronary arterial bypass grafting. A defibrillator had been implanted in 2 because of rapid ventricular tachycardia with syncope induced during electrophysiologic studies. We conclude that, in patients with multi-vessel disease or left ventricular dysfunction caused by presumed Kawasaki disease, symptoms and serious cardiac events occur in adult life with the onset of ageing, although the patients had been asymptomatic for many years after the onset of Kawasaki disease itself.     

Kawasaki disease: heart disease during childhood

The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for coronary lesions, the type of heart lesion present, and long-term outcome in Kawasaki disease. We studied 150 children, aged 3 months to 9.5 years, who met the criteria for a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. Of the 18% who were diagnosed with heart disease, 100% had coronary artery abnormalities, 11.1% had pancarditis, and 3.7%, mitral insufficiency. The coronary abnormalities were classified according severity as follows: diffuse ectasia in 40.7%; a small-to-medium-sized solitary coronary artery aneurysm in 33.3%; numerous small-to-medium-sized aneurysms in 11.1%; giant aneurysms in 11.1%; and coronary artery stenosis in 3.7%. The presence of pancarditis was a predictor of a giant coronary artery aneurysm. Mortality was 3.7%. Coronary aneurysm was the predominant heart lesion. The risk factors for coronary aneurysm in Kawasaki disease included age less than 27 months, fever lasting more than 8 days, erythrocyte sedimentation greater than 70 mm, and pancarditis.     

New diagnostic technique in multi-slice computed tomography for in-stent restenosis: pixel count method

OBJECTIVES: A diagnostic technique to objectively determine coronary in-stent stenosis was developed with multi(16)-slice computed tomography (MSCT), and it was compared with coronary angiography (CAG) in clinical cases. BACKGROUND: MSCT is expected to replace coronary angiography as a new non-invasive examination. Evaluation of highly calcified or in-stent lesions with CT is generally thought to be difficult. METHODS: Twenty lesions among 16 consecutive patients that were implanted with coronary stents were examined with both MSCT and CAG at follow-up. The minor axis cross sections of the stents were reconstructed at intervals of 1.5 mm with multiplanar reformation (MPR). The pixel with a higher CT value than the lowest CT value in the standard cross section at the proximal site out of stent was counted to determine the presence/absence of a stenotic lesion. RESULTS: Among 20 lesions, one case was not able to be evaluated with MSCT. MSCT correctly detected 3 of 4 cases with in-stent stenosis (sensitivity 75%), and 14 of 16 cases with no in-stent stenosis (specificity 88%, negative predictive value 93%, positive predictive value 75%). If analysis was made per-artery, sensitivity and specificity were 100% (3 of 3) and 87% (13 of 15), respectively, for detection of in-stent stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study was performed to examine a unique diagnostic technique: pixel count method, for coronary in-stent stenosis with MSCT. It showed that the coronary in-stent stenosis could be determined when stent struts were clearly imaged. Further examination is required with various stents, especially those with a diameter of 3.0 mm or smaller.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of myocardial and coronary microvascular lesions in Kawasaki disease.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome with multisystemic vasculitis affecting mainly infants and children. Although several studies on cardiovascular lesions in KD have been done at the light microscopic level, the ultrastructural characteristics and incidences of these lesions have not been well defined. In order to investigate the myocardial and coronary microvascular sequelae in KD, we performed an ultrastructural study on endomyocardial biopsy specimens obtained during follow-up from 54 patients who had typical clinical manifestations of KD, of whom 47 had associated coronary aneurysms as demonstrated by coronary arteriography (CAG) or two-dimensional echocardiography in the acute or healed stage. The average age of onset was 2.2 years old and the duration of illness was from 2 months to 23 years. Follow-up CAG showed that the coronary aneurysms persisted in 33 of the 47 patients (8 with associated stenosis) and resolved in the remaining 14 patients. Ultrastructurally, the myocardial changes revealed hypertrophy, various degrees of degeneration, proliferation and abnormality of mitochondria, infiltration of a small number of lymphocytes, and fibrosis. The coronary microvascular lesion was characterized by microvascular dilatation, endothelial cell injury, platelet aggregation with thrombosis, and stenotic lumen with thickened walls in the small arterioles. It persisted after convalescent stage even up to 23 years and closely correlated with the myocardial sequelae. Moreover, significantly increased incidences of myocardial and coronary microvascular lesions were found in patients with coronary artery lesion. These findings suggest the coronary microvascular lesion as a possible underlying factor of persistent sequelae in KD.     

Long term consequences of regressed coronary aneurysms after Kawasaki disease: vascular wall morphology and function

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the long term consequences of regressed aneurysms after Kawasaki disease, using follow up coronary angiography; to assess the vascular wall morphology at the site of the aneurysms by intravascular ultrasound imaging; and to evaluate the function of the affected vessels using intracoronary infusions of acetylcholine and isosorbide dinitrate. DESIGN: 33 patients were studied, 27 with previous Kawasaki disease and six with congenital heart disease. All Kawasaki disease patients were followed for more than 10 years from disease onset. The 33 patients comprised four groups: group 1 included 13 Kawasaki disease patients with a total of 23 sites of regressed large sized (>/= 4 mm) coronary aneurysms; group 2 included 13 Kawasaki disease patients with 22 sites of regressed small sized (< 4 mm) coronary aneurysms (four patients had sites of both large and small sized aneurysms); group 3 included a further five Kawasaki disease patients with 25 normal coronary angiography sites in the acute stage of Kawasaki disease; and group 4 comprised the six patients with congenital heart disease as controls, with a total of 27 normal coronary angiography sites. During coronary angiography, 15 microg of acetylcholine and 0.5 mg isosorbide dinitrate were infused into the coronary artery. The luminal diameter at the sites was measured using a cine-videodensitometric analyser, to assess the distensibility of the coronary artery wall. RESULTS: Coronary angiography in all 22 patients in groups 1 and 2 and in all the patients in group 3 was normal, with no stenoses and no irregularity of the arterial wall. However, the intravascular ultrasound imaging in groups 1 and 2 showed various degrees of the intimal thickening. In groups 1 and 2, there was significantly more vascular constriction with acetylcholine, and poorer dilatation with isosorbide dinitrate than in groups 3 or 4 (each p < 0.05, respectively). There was no difference between group 3 and group 4 in response to either acetylcholine or isosorbide dinitrate, CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of persisting abnormal vascular wall morphology and vascular dysfunction at the site of regressed coronary aneurysms in patients with previous Kawasaki disease. These patients should be counselled to avoid potential risk factors for atherosclerosis, and long term follow up is needed into adult life.     

川崎病患者选择性冠状动脉造影单中心特点及经验分析

目的 总结昆明市儿童医院川崎病并发严重冠状动脉病变(coronary artery lesion,CAL)患者选择性冠状动脉造影(coronary angiography,CAG)的特点及经验.方法 回顾性分析2017年7月至2019年10月在昆明市儿童医院行CAG的32例川崎病患儿临床资料,男23例,女9例,年龄5岁...     

The value of angiography in the follow-up of coronary involvement in mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease)

From September 1976 to August 1988, 205 patients with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome (Kawasaki disease) were evaluated; 29 were suspected of having coronary artery abnormalities because of either abnormalities on echocardiography (n = 21), congestive heart failure (n = 3), prolonged fever (n = 3) or cardiac arrest (n = 2). All 29 underwent cardiac catheterization and 22 were found to have coronary artery abnormalities. An additional 4 patients were diagnosed solely by autopsy; therefore, 26 patients (12%) in this series had coronary artery abnormalities. The clearance of contrast medium from the coronary arteries after aortography was significantly prolonged in patients with coronary artery aneurysms as compared with that in a control group (p less than 0.001). All patients exhibited delayed clearance of contrast medium on the initial aortogram as compared with that on follow-up studies (p less than 0.01). Of the 22 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery abnormalities, 19 had right and 20 had left coronary artery involvement; the majority had diffuse involvement of both vessels. In 15 patients who underwent follow-up catheterization 6 months to 7 years after initial study, complete resolution was observed in only 37% of affected coronary artery segments. In four patients, three of whom were asymptomatic, severely stenotic or occluded coronary artery segments were found on late catheterization. Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in two of these patients. Echocardiography did not detect any of these stenoses. Although echocardiography is important for initial diagnosis and serial evaluation, angiography is essential to fully define the nature and extent of coronary artery lesions, particularly if stenosis is present.     

Regression of coronary aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki syndrome

Coronary aneurysms were demonstrated echocardiographically in 34 of 186 patients who presented with Kawasaki syndrome between 1979 and 1983. The aneurysms were confirmed by selective coronary angiography in 27 patients and by postmortem examination in one. The 27 surviving patients with proven aneurysms were followed for 2 to 40 months (mean 15), during which they received low dose (5 to 10 mg/kg) aspirin daily. Progressive improvement and resolution of aneurysms were observed by serial echocardiography in 18 patients and confirmed by angiography in 14. Coronary aneurysms persisted, however, in nine other patients for 14 to 40 months (mean 25.7). The incidence of aneurysm resolution was higher in children less than 1 year of age at the onset of the illness than in patients older than 1 year (100% vs 50%; p less than .001). Aneurysms were more likely to resolve in girls than in boys (100% vs 42%; p less than .001). Fusiform aneurysms tended to resolve more frequently than saccular lesions (80% vs 18%; p less than .025). Aneurysms located distally in the coronary arteries appear to regress more rapidly than proximal ones. We conclude that an age of less than 1 year at the onset of Kawasaki syndrome, female sex, and fusiform aneurysm morphology are significant factors that favor resolution of coronary artery aneurysms. However, important questions remain with regard to the long-term fate and functional capabilities of these healed lesions.     

Fate of coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease: Serial coronary angiography and long-term follow-up study

Between January 1973 and December 1979, 290 patients with Kawasaki disease were evaluated with coronary angiography after the acute stage of illness. Of these patients, 43 (15 percent) were diagnosed as having coronary aneurysms. Forty-two patients have been followed up for an average of 4 years (range 15 months to 8 years). One 8 month old girl died of myocardial infarction after 4 months of illness. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 42 patients 5 to 18 months after the acute illness. Four groups can be distinguished. Group I: In 21 (50 percent) of 42 patients angiography showed that the coronary aneurysms had regressed, so that no observable lesions were seen. During convalescence, none of these patients experienced cardiac symptoms, and results of electrocardiography, exercise stress testing and thallium scintigraphy were within normal limits. In the other 21 patients abnormal findings persisted on follow-up angiography. Group II: Ten patients showed persistent coronary aneurysms, although reduced in size. Group III: In seven patients the aneurysms had disappeared, but complete obstruction or marked stenosis of coronary arteries was found. Group IV: In four patients, irregularities of the coronary arterial wall without stenosis were seen. Among patients with abnormal angiographic findings myocardial infarction and mitral regurgitation were also seen. Early initiation of aspirin therapy remains the mainstay in the prevention of thrombus formation. Coronary aneurysms show regression on angiography in 1 or 2 years in about half of patients. The remaining patients are at risk for ischemic heart disease. Thus, Kawasaki disease should be considered an important cause of ischemic heart disease in children and a possible risk factor of premature coronary atherosclerosis.     

Repeated quantitative angiograms in coronary arterial aneurysm in Kawasaki disease

Accurate evaluation of the extent of coronary artery lesions complicating Kawasaki disease is clinically important in patient management. Based on a total of 188 coronary angiograms and retrospective follow-up observations, the condition of coronary aneurysms was quantitatively graded as: 0 (normal)—no significant enlargement in any portion of the coronary artery; I (mild)—aneurysmal dilatation of the coronary artery evident but localized, with a maximal diameter of less than 4.0 mm; II (moderate)—maximal diameter of coronary aneurysms between 4.0 and 8.0 mm, regardless of body size; III (severe)—giant aneurysms, with the maximal diameter greater than 8.0 mm. Most mild coronary aneurysms regressed to normal within a short time, and the patient's prognosis was good. The course of grade II aneurysms varied, depending on initial angiographic coronary diameter, but all were eventually reduced in coronary size. In contrast, grade III aneurysms usually progressed to become obstructive or stenotic coronary lesions, or the large aneurysm persisted. Follow-up observations revealed that the course of coronary artery disease depended on the size and distribution of aneurysms at initial angiography. This grading of the severity of coronary lesions may provide useful criteria for predicting the prognosis of patients with Kawasaki disease.     

Mass survey for coronary lesions in school children with history of Kawasaki disease in Shimane Prefecture

In 1981, a mass survey for Kawasaki disease was performed in Shimane Prefecture. The incidence of the disease was 0.3% in elementary and 0.1% in junior high schools, respectively. The number of children with a past history of Kawasaki disease was 40. Selective coronary arteriography (S-CAG) was performed on 37 children by December 1983 and 3 cases having coronary lesions were detected. In all these 3 children, more than 8 years had elapsed since the onset of the disease and in one of them there were severe stenotic changes in the coronary artery, with coexisting mitral incompetence. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) was able to detect dilatatory coronary lesions, but it failed to delineate stenotic changes adequately in these 3 cases. The present data indicate that 2D echo cannot demonstrate the stenotic segments of the coronary artery and therefore S-CAG is necessary for that purpose. We suggest coronary arteriography (CAG) for school children with a past history of Kawasaki disease.     

Long-term changes in coronary artery aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki disease: comparison of therapeutic regimens.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies of the therapeutic regimens for the prevention of stenotic transformation of aneurysms in Kawasaki disease (KD). The aim of this study was to assess the prophylactic effect of combined therapy in the acute stage and convalescent- to chronic-stage against the formation of stenotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 85 patients, 103 giant aneurysms (ANl), 46 medium-sized aneurysms (ANm), and 13 small aneurysms (ANs) were analyzed. With respect to therapy in the acute stage, no localized stenosis of ANl in the left coronary artery was noted in patients who received high-dose gamma globulin therapy (G). For ANm, the group (G) showed a significantly higher regression rate than the aspirin group and steroids group. Furthermore, no coronary artery occlusion/recanalization of ANl occurred with the prophylactic regimen of aspirin and warfarin {aw}. Prophylaxis {aw} and the prophylactic regimen of aspirin alone {a} significantly lowered the incidence compared with either the prophylactic regimen of warfarin {w} or no prophylaxis {n}. However, no significant differences were noted between prophylaxis {w} and {n}. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose gamma globulin therapy in the acute stage of KD is the first choice for the prevention of stenotic transformation. Prophylaxis {aw} is recommended for ANl.     

Physiologic significance of chronic coronary aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki disease

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine whether persistent coronary aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki disease are associated with altered myocardial perfusion and function.Background. Some patients with Kawasaki disease have died suddenly because of severe coronary artery stenosis; others have chronic coronary aneurysms.Methods. Eleven patients with chronic coronary aneurysms were enrolled in the study. The size of the aneurysms and the degree of associated stenosis were determined by angiography in nine patients and by echocardiography in two. All patients underwent simultaneous function and myocardial perfusion assessment during symptom-limited exercise by echocardiography and technetium-99m sestamibi imaging, respectively.Results. Of 33 vascular territories, 18 contained coronary aneurysms measuring 3.5 to 10 mm. Three aneurysms were associated with significant stenosis as detected by angiography. Of the 18 vascular territories, 13 were normal, and 5 manifested stress-induced perfusion defects; of the latter 5 areas, 4 had associated wall motion abnormalities. The three territories supplied by stenotic coronary arteries had both abnormal regional function and perfusion demonstrated during exercise.Conclusions. Patients with chronic coronary aneurysms may have associated stenosis, as detected by angiography, with a subjacent myocardium that is subject to abnormal perfusion and function. However, the majority of coronary aneurysms are associated with normal regional coronary flow reserve, as assessed by myocardial perfusion imaging, and even giant coronary aneurysms may be associated with normal coronary flow reserve and preserved regional myocardial function during stress.     

Differences in plaque composition and distribution in stable coronary artery disease versus acute coronary syndromes; non-invasive evaluation with multi-slice computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Plaque composition rather than degree of luminal narrowing may be predictive of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The purpose of the study was to compare plaque composition and distribution with multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) between patients presenting with either stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or ACS. METHODS: MSCT was performed in 22 and 24 patients presenting with ACS or stable CAD, respectively. Coronary lesions were classified as calcified, non-calcified or mixed while signal intensity (SI) was measured. RESULTS: In patients with stable CAD, the majority of lesions were calcified (89%). In patients with ACS, less calcifications were observed with a greater proportion of non-calcified (18%) or mixed (36%) lesions (P<0.001). Accordingly, mean SI of plaques was significantly less in ACS (320+/-201 HU versus 620+/-256 HU in stable CAD, P<0.001). Dividing lesions in the ACS group according to culprit versus non-culprit vessel location resulted in no significant difference in average SI between these two groups while still lower as compared to stable CAD (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ACS, significantly less calcifications were present as compared to stable CAD. Moreover, even in non-culprit vessels, multiple non-calcified plaques were detected, indicating diffuse rather than focal atherosclerosis in ACS.     

Assessment of coronary artery by four-detector multislice computed tomography: diagnostic accuracy and limitations for coronary artery lesions

OBJECTIVES: The applicability of four-detector multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was investigated for evaluating coronary arteries. METHODS: MSCT (Somatom Volume Zoom, Siemens) was used to evaluate the coronary arteries in 94 patients. The reconstructed images were analyzed using retrospective electrocardiographic gating to determine the image quality of the coronary arteries. In addition, the ability of MSCT to detect coronary artery lesions of > or = 70% (> or = 50% in the left main trunk) diameter stenoses documented by standard coronary angiography was assessed in 67 patients who underwent coronary angiography within the same period. RESULTS: Good image quality was displayed in 488 (58%) and fair in 184 (22%) of a total of 846 coronary segments, but non-assessable in 174 (21%) due to degraded image quality. MDCT detected 33 stenotic lesions correctly in 494 assessable segments, comparable to coronary angiography. The sensitivity and specificity of MSCT were 0.79 and 0.95, respectively. However, an additional 15 lesions were detected by coronary angiography among the non-assessable segments. In total, 24 lesions were missed by MSCT. Accordingly, coronary segments were completely assessable and correctly detected by MSCT in only 20 patients (30%), or 35 (52%) if the distal coronary segments were excluded from analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Four-detector MSCT for detection of coronary artery lesions was applicable to assessable segments. However, clinical use may presently be limited because of the insufficient overall accuracy. Further technical improvement is expected in the near future.     

Coronary arterial plaque characterized by multislice computed tomography predicts complications following coronary intervention

BACKGROUND: A reliable, noninvasive assessment of plaque configuration would constitute an important step forward for predicting complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) holds promise with respect to allowing for differentiation of coronary lesion configuration. However, it has not yet been clarified whether the characteristics of coronary artery plaque measured by MSCT predict complications after PCI. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plaque configuration and complications after coronary intervention in patients with stable angina pectoris. METHODS: MSCT was performed in patients with angina pectoris who were scheduled for PCI prospectively, and 26 patients (70 +/- 11 years, 18 males) with coronary artery plaque in a stenotic coronary artery measured by MSCT were recruited for this study. Thirty-five plaques in the stenotic coronary lesions were divided into 3 groups based on the CT density as soft, intermediate, and hard, and were compared with the complications after PCI. RESULTS: The soft plaque group before PCI (n = 11) was significantly associated with the appearance of slow flow (n = 4) or a compromised side branch (n = 1) after PCI, whereas the hard plaque group before PCI (n = 17) was associated with the appearance of dissection (n = 2) or perforation (n = 1) after PCI (P = 0.004). The intermediate plaque group (n = 7) had only one complication, a compromised side branch (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Coronary arterial plaque characterized by MSCT can predict intervention-related complication. It may be important for the risk stratification of the patients scheduled to undergo PCI to investigate plaque configuration by MSCT.     

三磷酸腺苷负荷超声心动图和冠状动脉造影在川崎病远期随访中的价值

目的探讨三磷酸腺苷（adenosinetriphosphate，ATP）负荷超声心动图及冠状动脉造影（coronaryangiography，CAG）在川崎病（Kawasakidisease，KD）冠状动脉损害远期随访中的应用价值。方法对临床确诊的156例KD患儿于恢复期行ATP负荷超声心动图检查，其中15例患儿同时进行CAG。随访时间为自急性期后6个月至10年，按急性期冠状动脉损害程度分为冠状动脉瘤组、冠状动脉扩张组及冠状动脉正常组。结果恢复期ATP负荷超声检查结果显示，3组均有部分患儿存在不同程度的冠状动脉血流储备下降和（或）出现节段性室壁运动异常，其在冠状动脉瘤组和冠状动脉扩张组的发生率高于冠状动脉正常组，差异有统计学意义[75．00％（30／40）vs.44．29％（31／70）vs．21．74％（10／46），P〉0．01]。15例同时进行CAG与负荷超声检查的患者结果显示，两种检查方法的符合率为93．33％（Kappa=0．04，P=0．70）。结论CAG能较清楚地显示冠状动脉形态，但不能准确地提供冠状动脉血流动力学信息及冠状动脉微循环的情况；ATP负荷超声心动图检查能安全、可靠地评估冠状动脉血流动力学，补充冠状动脉造影的不足，可用于KD患儿冠状动脉损害的长期追踪随访以及药物疗效的判断。     

Differences in plaque composition and distribution in stable coronary artery disease versus acute coronary syndromes; non‐invasive evaluation with multi‐slice computed tomography

Background: Plaque composition rather than degree of luminal narrowing may be predictive of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The purpose of the study was to compare plaque composition and distribution with multi‐slice computed tomography (MSCT) between patients presenting with either stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or ACS. Methods: MSCT was performed in 22 and 24 patients presenting with ACS or stable CAD, respectively. Coronary lesions were classified as calcified, non‐calcified or mixed while signal intensity (SI) was measured. Results: In patients with stable CAD, the majority of lesions were calcified (89%). In patients with ACS, less calcifications were observed with a greater proportion of non‐calcified (18%) or mixed (36%) lesions (P<0.001). Accordingly, mean SI of plaques was significantly less in ACS (320±201?HU versus 620±256?HU in stable CAD, P<0.001). Dividing lesions in the ACS group according to culprit versus non‐culprit vessel location resulted in no significant difference in average SI between these two groups while still lower as compared to stable CAD (P<0.001). Conclusions: In patients with ACS, significantly less calcifications were present as compared to stable CAD. Moreover, even in non‐culprit vessels, multiple non‐calcified plaques were detected, indicating diffuse rather than focal atherosclerosis in ACS.     

Progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Clues to pathogenesis from serial coronary arteriography

Fifty two patients with coronary artery disease underwent repeat coronary arteriographic studies separated by 2-108 (mean 51) months of medical treatment. The results were compared and correlated with symptoms to determine the nature of the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The condition appeared to progress episodically in the proximal segments of the coronary arteries and in relation to the abrupt development of new symptoms or acute coronary events such as unstable angina or myocardial infarction. Thirty four of 105 (33%) of the pre-existing stenoses showed evidence of progression. Progression to total occlusion was uncommon (13) except for stenoses greater than 90% (six out of 18). New lesions frequently occurred (37) in previously normal segments of the arteries; most of these were stenoses greater than 90% (13) or total occlusions (12). Rapid progression of a mild lesion and new lesions occurred in the form of smooth intimal protrusions into the arterial lumen. Intimal haemorrhages are the likely explanation for these intimal encroachments and also for the episodic nature of the progression of coronary artery disease. Coronary atherosclerosis does not progress gradually in a linear fashion, and local anatomical factors appear to play a dominant role in the natural history.