冠状动脉重构的血管内超声研究及基质金属蛋白酶和高敏C反应蛋白检测

目的用血管内超声(IVUS)对比研究不同类型冠心病患者的冠状动脉重构(remodeling)特点,探讨冠状动脉重构与临床表现、基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及高敏C反应蛋白(hs CRP)的关系。方法在行冠状动脉介入治疗前,应用IVUS研究38例急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)和18例稳定性心绞痛(SA)患者,测量“罪犯”血管病变处及其近端、远端参考段的外弹力膜(EEM)面积、管腔面积,计算斑块面积和重构指数(RI),定义RI>1.05为正重构,RI<0.95为负重构。识别出高危斑块,检测外周血基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP2)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP9)和hs CRP水平。结果ACS组“罪犯”血管处的斑块面积大于SA组[(11.94±4.90)mm2比(9.17±3.36)mm2,P=0.035]。ACS组RI明显大于SA组(0.972±0.222比0.796±0.130,P=0.003)。两组正、负重构分布比率显著不同正重构在ACS组比SA组更常见(34.2%比5.6%,P=0.047),而负重构在SA组更常见(负重构在ACS组和SA组分别为52.6%与88.9%,P=0.003)。ACS组高危斑块发生率多于SA组(76.3%比50.0%,P=0.040)。ACS组患者血清MMP2高于SA组[(250.65±47.97)μg/L比(214.21±47.20)μg/L,P=0.029],前者的血浆MMP9也高于后者[(84.26±9.78)μg/L比(68.46±22.82)μg/L,P=0.038],前者的血清hs CRP亦高于后者[(3.62±3.37)mg/L比(1.48±1.52)mg/L     

Impact of histological plaque characteristics on intravascular ultrasound parameters at culprit lesions in coronary artery disease

Prior intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies have demonstrated that a positive remodeling pattern of a culprit lesion is observed more frequently in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) than stable angina (SA). However, the relationship between the plaque morphology detected by IVUS and the histological type of atherosclerotic plaque has not been well defined. This is a prospective study on 37 consecutive patients who underwent directional coronary atherectomy. The 37 patients were divided into 2 groups; 21 patients with SA and 16 with ACS. Vessel and plaque cross sectional area were measured at the culprit lesion and the remodeling index (RI) was calculated by IVUS. The plaque tissue was assessed for the presence of inflammatory cells and lipids, and the presence of each was scored as 0 (absent), 1 (sparse), 2 (dense), or 3 (predominant). The RI of the patients with ACS was higher than that of SA. Inflammatory cells were present to a greater extent in patients with ACS. Inflammatory cells and lipids were significantly correlated with the RI (Inflammatory cell score grade > or = 2 patients; 1.14 +/- 0.13 versus grade 0 patients; 0.87 +/- 0.24, and grade 1 patients; 0.93 +/- 0.17, P < 0.01 and lipid score grade > or = 2 patients; 1.13 +/- 0.17 versus grade 0 patients; 0.85 +/- 0.18, P < 0.001 and grade 1 patients; 0.95 +/- 0.19, P < 0.05). The results clearly indicate that the evaluation of vessel morphology by vascular imaging is an important indicator of plaque instability.     

Biomarkers, age, and coronary artery remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome

To investigate the relationship between age and coronary artery remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 56 patients with ACS were identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Remodeling index (RI) (37 cases of RI > or =1 vs 19 cases of RI <1) and dimidiate age groups (27 patients younger than 60 years vs 29 patients 60 years or older) were compared, and the relationships among biomarkers, age, and arterial remodeling were analyzed. There was a significant difference in age between positive and negative remodeling groups (55+/-13 vs 62+/-10 years; P=.038); RI and triglyceride level showed a statistical correlation (r=0.32; P=.02) and a significant inverse correlation between age and RI (r=-0.47; P<.001). The multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated that age was an independent predictor of RI (Bate -0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.08; P=.04). Age may be an important factor of arterial remodeling. Low-density lipoprotein or triglyceride level may be associated with attenuated coronary vascular remodeling with aging.     

Impact of coronary artery remodeling on clinical presentation of coronary artery disease: an intravascular ultrasound study

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between the features of the culprit lesion in coronary artery disease (CAD) and clinical presentation as shown by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). BACKGROUND: The association between coronary remodeling pattern and clinical presentation of CAD is unclear. METHODS: We analyzed 125 selected patients who underwent preintervention IVUS. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP) were categorized as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and stable angina pectoris (SAP) and old myocardial infarction (OMI) as stable CAD. Coronary remodeling patterns and plaque morphology of the culprit lesion obtained by IVUS were analyzed in terms of their association with clinical presentation or angiographic morphology. RESULTS: Angiographically complex lesions were associated with ACS and OMI. In patients with a complex lesion, positive remodeling was observed more frequently than in those with a simple lesion. In AMI and UAP, positive remodeling was observed more frequently than in SAP and OMI (82% vs. 78% vs. 33% vs. 40%, respectively, p < 0.0001). The remodeling ratio was greater in AMI and UAP than in SAP and OMI (1.26 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.11 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.96 +/- 0.13, respectively, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, within ACS, the remodeling ratio was greater in AMI than in UAP (1.26 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.11 +/- 0.10, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas the frequency of positive remodeling was not different. CONCLUSIONS: Positive remodeling was more frequently observed in ACS than in stable CAD. Moreover, the degree of positive remodeling was greater in AMI than in UAP. These results may reflect the impact of remodeling types and its degree in the culprit lesion of CAD on clinical presentation.     

Evaluation of plaque texture by means of multislice computed tomography in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), which allows non-invasive assessment of coronary artery plaque, was used to compare the CT density of plaque between patients with acute coronary syndrome (acs) and those with stable angina (sa). METHODS AND RESULTS: MSCT was performed in 20 patients with ACS (17 with acute myocardial infarction, 3 with unstable angina) and 22 patients with SA. The presence of the plaque was defined on the basis of multiplanar reformation and axial images. At least 4 regions of interest were then placed within the plaque and the minimum CT density was measured and expressed as Hounsfield units (HU). The number of plaques did not differ between the 2 groups, but the minimum CT density was significantly lower in patients with ACS (25+/-15 HU) than in those with SA (71+/-16 HU, range 46-101 HU, p<0.001). Similarly, the minimum plaque density was significantly lower in the culprit coronary segment (26+/-16 HU) than in the non-culprit segment (48+/-17 HU) in 15 ACS patients with multiple plaques. CONCLUSION: MSCT can potentially differentiate vulnerable from stable plaque in patients with coronary artery disease, although long-term, prospective analysis is needed to establish the conclusion.     

Relationship between coronary artery remodeling and plaque composition in culprit lesions: an intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between coronary artery remodeling and culprit plaque composition in vivo has not been fully evaluated by spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) radiofrequency (RF) data. METHODS AND RESULTS: IVUS RF analyses were performed for 56 consecutive de novo culprit lesions of 52 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Remodeling of culprit lesions was determined using the remodeling index (RI), calculated as the external elastic membrane area of the minimum lumen area (MLA) site divided by that of the proximal reference site. Positive remodeling was defined as RI >1.05, intermediate remodeling as 0.95< or = RI < or =1.05 and negative remodeling as RI <0.95. Among the 56 lesions, positive remodeling was detected in 24, intermediate remodeling in 16, and negative remodeling in 16. At MLA sites, positive remodeling lesions had a larger percentage of the fibrofatty component than negative remodeling lesions (22.5+/-10.3% vs 10.4+/-6.6%, p=0.0001), whereas the latter contained a larger percentage of the dense calcium component than the former (2.8+/-2.9% vs 8.4+/-7.0%, p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Culprit plaques with positive remodeling have a large lipid burden, whereas those with negative remodeling contain a large amount of calcium.     

Relationship between interleukin-18 levels and characterization of atherosclerotic plaque and percutaneous coronary intervention

Background lnterleuldn-18(IL- 18) plays a key role in the development,progression and outcome of coronary artery disease and its complications.However,its variability relation to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaque and percutaneous coronary intervention are still unknown.Methods Fifty four patients with coronary artery disease [22 patients with stable angina (SA) and 32 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)] were enrolled in this study.All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The stability of the plaques at the criminal vessels was assessed with analogical IVUS.Serum IL-18 levels were measured at the time points of 5 rain before PCI,and Oh,6h,24h and lmonth after PCI in all patients.Results ACS group consisted mainly of lipidic unstable plaques while SA group of fibrous stable plaques.Moreover,compared with those in SA group,eccentricity index (EI) and remodeling index (RI) were significantly higher in ACS group.Positive remodeling was seen in ACS group while negative or no remodeling in SA group.Further,serum IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with ACS than those in SA group before PCI,increased at Oh,6h,24h after PCI (P＜0.05)and were not significant different at 1 month after PCI from those before PCI.Conclusions There is significant difference in the composition and structural characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques between ACS and UA groups.PCI triggersd and enhances the inflammatory response in a short time.Serum levels of IL- 18 are the predictors of progression of unstable plaque in atherosclerosis.Post-operative complications of PCI might be reduced by inhibiting IL- 18.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:21-24)     

Coronary plaque vulnerability in metabolic syndrome: assessment of carotid artery morphology in acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical implication of metabolic syndrome and carotid artery morphologies on coronary plaque vulnerability in Japanese men with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive ACS Japanese men (n=225) underwent emergent coronary angiography and B-mode ultrasonography within 1 week of the acute coronary event. With a 11.3-MHz linear array transducer, the morphologies of common carotid artery were examined. Common carotid arteries with an intima-media thickness>1.1 mm and interadventitial diameter>8.0 mm were considered to be undergoing carotid artery remodeling. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the number of complex plaques identified by coronary angiography. Abdominal obesity, low level of high-density lipoprotein and carotid artery remodeling were more often observed in patients with multiple, complex coronary plaques than in patients with a single, complex plaque (p<0.03, p<0.03 and p=0.0001, respectively). Metabolic syndrome and carotid artery remodeling were independent predictors of multiple, complex coronary plaques (odds ratio 1.86, p<0.05; odds ratio 5.96, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome and carotid artery remodeling might be useful indicators to assess the efficacy of aggressive treatments for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in ACS Japanese men.     

Prospective comparison of coronary artery remodeling between acute coronary syndrome and stable angina in single-vessel disease: correlation between C-reactive protein and extent of arterial remodeling

BACKGROUND: Retrospective intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies showed that positive remodeling of coronary artery was associated with unstable clinical presentation. However, no prospective IVUS study has been performed to demonstrate such relationship. The relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and coronary artery remodeling is unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Positive remodeling might be related with acute coronary syndrome in the prospective IVUS study. C-reactive protein levels might be associated with coronary artery remodeling. METHODS: Preintervention IVUS images were prospectively obtained in 93 patients with single-vessel disease (30 for acute coronary syndrome and 63 for stable angina). Serum sample for CRP measurement was collected 24 h prior to coronary intervention. The remodeling index was defined as a ratio of (lesion/average reference) external elastic membrane area. Positive remodeling was defined as a remodeling index > 1.05 and negative remodeling as a remodeling index < 0.95. RESULTS: The remodeling index was 0.99 +/- 0.13 in acute coronary syndrome versus 0.95 +/- 0.12 in stable angina (p = 0.048). Positive remodeling was associated with acute coronary syndrome (43 vs. 19%), whereas negative remodeling was more frequent in stable angina (49 vs. 33%) (p = 0.047). C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in acute coronary syndrome than in stable angina (1.4 +/- 2.0 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dl, respectively, p = 0.002). However, there was no significant correlation between CRP levels and remodeling index (r = 0.078, p = 0.475). CONCLUSIONS: Positive remodeling may be related with acute coronary syndrome in the prospective IVUS analysis. C-reactive protein levels may not predict the extent of arterial remodeling.     

Arterial remodeling correlates positively with serological evidence of inflammation in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris

Positive coronary artery remodeling is associated with unstable coronary syndromes. Serum inflammatory markers, including high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), can predict future risk of acute coronary events in patients with stable coronary artery disease. We sought to elucidate the relationship of specific serum inflammatory markers with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) estimation of coronary artery remodeling in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Thirty-one sequential patients at our institution undergoing IVUS-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stable coronary artery disease were enrolled. Automated IVUS pullback and offline analysis were performed in all patients. Images were analyzed for vessel wall area (VWA) and lumen area (LA), at the culprit lesion and at a proximal reference site, and the remodeling index (RI) was calculated. Positive and negative remodeling were defined as a RI of > 1.05 and < 0.95, respectively. ELISA essays were performed for soluble VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin. The distribution of data followed a lognormal distribution. By defining arterial remodeling as simply positive or negative, significant differences were identified for log E-selectin only (1.80 +/- 0.04 versus 1.62 +/- 0.05, respectively; p = 0.02). The RI correlation coefficient was 0.38 (p = 0.04) for log sVCAM-1 and 0.42 (p = 0.02) for log sICAM-1. The log E-selection and RI correlation coefficient, although weaker at 0.32, showed a trend toward significance (p = 0.08). There was no significant correlation between log hsCRP and RI (p = 0.42). Using step-wise multivariate analysis, log sVCAM-1 only remained an independent predictor of the RI (p = 0.03). Positive coronary artery remodeling correlates with serological markers of inflammation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.     

Evaluation by multislice computed tomography of atherosclerotic coronary artery plaques in non-culprit, remote coronary arteries of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) frequently have vulnerable plaques in the remote coronary arteries, suggesting that ACS is part of the pan-coronary process. In the present study the computed tomography (CT) plaque density in non-culprit atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions was evaluated by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with ACS and non-ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: MSCT was performed in 21 patients with ACS and 53 patients with non-ACS: 16 of the 21 ACS patients (76%) and 30 of the non-ACS 53 patients (57 %) had non-calcified plaques in the non-culprit coronary arteries (p=0.18). CT-low-density plaques (CT density <68 Hounsfield units (HU)) were more frequent in the ACS group (13/16 patients, 81%) than in the non-ACS group (13/30 patients, 43%, p=0.03). In addition, the CT density of the non-culprit lesion was significantly lower in patients with ACS than in those with non-ACS (44.1+/-22.9 and 77.3+/-33.7 HU, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with ACS more frequently had CT-low-density plaques in the non-culprit, remote arteries than those with non-ACS, which suggests that ACS treatment should focus not only on stabilizing the culprit lesion but also on systemic stabilization of non-culprit lesions.     

冠状动脉斑块形态学与血浆炎症介质的关系

目的从冠状动脉（冠脉）斑块的影像学、血浆炎症介质水平等方面综合评价冠脉斑块易损性。方法将冠脉造影显示为单支病变的58例患者,按造影结果分为Ⅰ型病变组（16例）、Ⅱ型病变组（25例）、Ⅲ型病变组（17例）及对照组（17例）。其中行血管内超声（IVUS）检查的28例患者分为急性冠脉综合征（ACS）组和稳定性心绞痛组2个亚组。采用酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、金属基质蛋白酶（MMP,包括MMP-2、MMP-9）、CD40配体（CD40L）和妊娠相关蛋白-A（PAPP—A）水平。结果Ⅱ型病变组血浆MMP-2、MMP-9和PAPP—A水平显著高于Ⅰ型病变组（P〈0．05）、Ⅲ型病变组（P〈0．05）和对照组（P〈0．001）;线性相关分析显示,Ⅱ型病变组hs—CRP与MMP-2显著正相关（r=0．508）;MMP-2与MMP-9、CD40L、PAPP—A显著正相关（r=0．647、0．704、0．751）;MMP-9与CD40L、PAPP—A显著正相关（r=0．491、0．639）;CD40L与PAPP—A（r=0．896）显著正相关。IVUS亚组分析表明,ACS组的“罪犯”病变斑块面积、斑块负荷、高危斑块发生率、重构指数和正重构均显著大于对照组（P=0．000、0．037、0．028、0．015和0．040）;ACS组血浆hs—CRP、MMP-2、MMP-9和PAPP-A水平也显著升高（P：0．033、0．000、0．000和0．027）。结论冠脉造影、IVUS检查结合检测血浆炎症介质水平更有助于判断冠脉斑块的易损性。     

Association between plasma inflammatory markers and morphology of coronary artery lesion in patients with coronary artery disease

The atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability may be related to inflammation,immunity,metabolism and blood clotting.One of the key factors affecting plaque stability is inflammatory reaction.This study was to investigate the relationship between vulnerability of coronary artery plaque evaluated with coronary angiography (CAG),intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and the levels of plasma inflammatory markers.Methods Fifty-eight consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome who had coronary lesion of a single vessel were divided into 3 groups based on angiographic morphology of the lesions:type Ⅰ lesion group (n =16),type Ⅱ lesion group (n =25) and type Ⅲ lesion group (n =17).The control group consisted of 17 patients with stable angina.Plasma levels of high sensitivity C reaction protein (hs-CRP),matrix metalloproteinase (MMP,including MMP-2 and MMP-9),CD40 ligand (CD40L) and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) were measured by ELISA.A subgroup of 28 patients (including 18 ACS patients and 10 stable angina control patients) who underwent IVUS study,were analyzed.Results The plasma levels of MMP-2,MMP-9 and PAPP-A in type Ⅱ lesion group were significantly higher than those in other groups (all P＜0.05).In type Ⅱ lesion group,linear correlation analyses showed significant positive correlation between levels of hs-CRP and MMP-2 (r=0.508);MMP-2 and MMP-9,CD40L,PAPP-A (r=0.647,0.704 and 0.751,respectively);MMP-9 and CD40L,PAPP-A (r=0.491 and 0.639,respectively);CD40L and PAPP-A (r=0.896).IVUS subgroup analysis showed that the area of plaques and plaque burden in culprit lesion,the incidence of high-risk plaques,remodeling index (RI) and positive remodeling percentage in ACS patients were significantly greater than those in control subgroup (P=0.000,0.037,0.028,0.015 and 0.040,respectively).Compared with control subgroup,the plasma levels of hs-CRP,MMP-2,MMP-9 and PAPP-A were markedly elevated (P=0.033,0.000,0.000 and 0.027,respectively).Conclusions CAG and IVUS combined with study on plasma levels of inflammation mediators are helpful in judging the vulnerability of coronary artery plaques.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:207-211)     

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。     

斑块稳定性与炎症反应在急性冠状动脉综合征中作用的研究

目的 探讨冠状动脉（冠脉）粥样斑块稳定性和炎症反应在急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）中的作用。方法 对28例ACS和13例稳定性心绞痛（SA）患者“罪犯”冠脉进行血管内超声（IVUS）检查,同时测定外周血清高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1（TIMP-1）、可溶性CD40L（sCD40L）含量。结果 ACS患者冠脉病变处以软斑块为主71．4％（20／28）,SA患者冠脉病变处以硬斑块为主76．9％（10／13）,差异有统计学意义（P=0．004）。与sA组比较,ACS组病变处斑块面积大（P=0．004）、斑块负荷重（P=0．048）、以正性重构为主（P=0．013）。ACS组血清hs—CRP、MMP-9、sCIMOL含量均高于SA组,TIMP-1含量在ACS组和SA组之间差异无统计学意义（P=0．234）,ACS组hs-CRP与MMP-9（r=0．671,P=0．000）、sCIMOL（r=0．494,P=0．008）呈正相关。结论 冠脉“罪犯”病变处结构性易损斑块是ACS发作基础,CIMOL和MMP-9参与的炎症反应导致斑块功能性不稳定和不同临床表现。     

Assessment of vulnerable plaques causing acute coronary syndrome using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to define tissue characteristics of vulnerable plaques before acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by use of integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). BACKGROUND: Tissue characterization of coronary plaques is possible with the use of IB-IVUS. METHODS: The subjects were 140 patients with angina pectoris, and we selected 160 coronary lesions without significant stenosis for evaluation. Ultrasound signals were obtained by an IVUS system using a 40-MHz catheter. RESULTS: At the follow-up (30 +/- 7 months), 12 plaques caused ACS after the initial IVUS examination. Ten of the 12 plaques had IVUS parameters recorded at baseline. These 10 plaques were classified as vulnerable plaques (VP), and the other plaques were classified as stable plaques (SP; n = 143). There was no significant difference of vessel area, lumen area, and plaque area between VP and SP. However, plaque burden (60 +/- 9% vs. 52 +/- 9%; p = 0.014), eccentricity (0.70 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.55 +/- 0.17; p = 0.013), remodeling index (1.30 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.16; p = 0.006) and percentage lipid area (72 +/- 10% vs. 50 +/- 16%; p < 0.0001) were greater in VP than in SP. Percentage fibrous area (23 +/- 6% vs. 47 +/- 14%; p < 0.0001) was smaller in VP than in SP. The sensitivities, specificities, and positive predictive values of percentage fibrous area (90%, 96%, and 69%, respectively) and percentage lipid area (80%, 90%, and 42%, respectively) for classifying VP were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue characteristics of VP before ACS were different from those of SP. This suggests that VP and SP as classified by IB-IVUS are useful in predicting ACS.     

Non-invasive assessment of plaque morphology and remodeling in mildly stenotic coronary segments: comparison of 16-slice computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive identification and characterization of mildly stenotic atherosclerotic lesions is an increasingly important focus of coronary imaging. DESIGN: We examined the accuracy of multi (16)-slice computed tomography (MSCT) for imaging of these lesions in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). MATERIALS: Mildly stenotic segments of the left coronary artery were identified by coronary angiography and analyzed using IVUS and contrast-enhanced MSCT. Independent reviewers evaluated the accuracy of MSCT for presence, composition and distribution of atherosclerotic plaque and remodeling response in comparison to IVUS using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) data analysis. RESULTS: Of 46 segments in 14 patients, diagnostic characterization by MSCT was possible in 37 (80.4%) segments. In these segments the accuracy of MSCT for identifying plaque presence, calcification, distribution and positive remodeling was consistently greater than 0.90 (reader 1) and 0.87 (reader 2). CONCLUSION: State-of-the-art MSCT can accurately identify mildly stenotic coronary atherosclerosis and provide an assessment of morphology and remodeling response.     

急性冠脉综合征患者冠状动脉重构与血脂水平的定量关系研究

目的探讨急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者靶病变血管重构方式与血脂的关系。方法 106例接受冠脉介入治疗的ACS患者,靶病变血管行血管内超声（IVUS）检查,测量靶病变段及其近端参考段血管外弹力膜面积（EEM）,计算血管重构指数（RI）：靶病变段EEM面积与近端参考段EEM面积之比。根据RI分为正性重构组（RI〉1）69例和负性重构组（RI≤1）37例;根据年龄分为〉60岁组（55例）和〈60岁组（51例）。同期测定血清三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平。结果 RI与年龄显著负相关（r=-0.38,P=0.03）,与血清TG水平显著正相关（r=0.32,P=0.02）,血清TG水平正性重构组显著高于负性重构组（P=0.03）;年龄〈60岁组RI与血脂无相关关系,血脂水平正性重构亚组与负性重构亚组间无差异;年龄〉60岁组,RI与血清LDL-C水平显著正相关（r=0.53,P=0.03）,血清TG和HDL-C水平正性重构亚组显著高于负性重构亚组（P=0.01,P=0.04）。结论血脂水平影响ACS患者靶病变血管重构方式。     

Anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols in hyperlipidemic individuals

Recent studies have indicated that positive remodeling is strongly associated with development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to compare plaque composition of vascular remodeling patterns by an established in vivo tissue characterization method using integrated backscatter (IB)-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The study population consisted of 41 consecutive patients who received IVUS prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. Remodeling index (RI) was calculated as the external elastic membrane (EEM) area at the minimal lumen area (MLA) site divided by average EEM area at the proximal and distal reference sites. The patients were divided into two groups based on RI: positive remodeling (PR) defined as RI>1 and non-PR as RI相似文献   

冠状动脉重构的血管内超声研究

目的应用血管内超声探讨冠状动脉重构的病变特征及其与临床表现的关系。方法39例急性冠脉综合征患者与45例稳定性心绞痛患者进行冠脉造影及血管内超声检查，对病变进行定性和定量测定。包括外弹力膜血管面积（EEMA）、最小血管内膜腔面积、斑块面积、斑块体积及斑块的性状和重构指数，根据血管内超声斑块的性状分为软斑块和硬斑块（包括纤维斑块、钙化斑块和混合斑块）。重构指数（RI）=病变处EEMA／平均参考血管处EEMA。若RI〉1．0为正性重构，RI〈1．0为负性重构。结果正性重构及负性重构两组年龄、性别及冠心病危险因素等无明显差别，急性冠状动脉综合征的患者更多的表现为正性重构（61．4％vs30．0％，P〈0．01）。稳定性心绞痛的患者更多的表现为负性重构（70．0％vs38．6％，P〈0．01）。与负性重构相比，正性重构一般狭窄程度较轻，但病变部位的血管面积及斑块面积较大[（17．8±7．0）vs（13．6±4．9）mm^2，（12．2±5．5）vs（9．5±4．8）mm^2，P〈0．01），同时正性重构多为偏心性软斑块，发生钙化的较少。结论正性重构及负性重构的病理特征不同，正性重构病变以软斑块及偏心性斑块多见，冠状动脉重构与临床表现及斑块特征有关。