Soluble lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (sLOX-1) as a valuable diagnostic marker for rupture of thin-cap fibroatheroma: Verification by optical coherence tomography

Background

Relationships between plaque morphology on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and biomarker levels in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have not been fully investigated.

Methods

ACS patients (n = 128) were prospectively enrolled and their plasma levels of soluble lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (sLOX-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) were measured. Another set of 20 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) without plaque rupture or erosion served as controls. Among 128 ACS patients, 75 patients underwent OCT procedure to evaluate culprit plaque morphology, and were categorized into two groups; ACS with plaque rupture (ruptured ACS; R-ACS, n = 54) and ACS without plaque rupture (non-ruptured ACS; N-ACS, n = 21).

Results

Levels of sLOX-1 (p < 0.001), hs-CRP (p = 0.048) and hs-TnT (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in R-ACS than SAP. Levels of sLOX-1 were also significantly higher in R-ACS than in N-ACS (p < 0.001); whereas levels of hs-CRP (p = 0.675), as well as those of hs-TnT (p = 0.055), were comparable between R-ACS and N-ACS. Comparison of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves among sLOX-1, hs-CRP and hs-TnT to differentiate R-ACS from N-ACS revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of sLOX-1, hs-CRP and hs-TnT were 0.782, 0.531 and 0.643, respectively. ROC curves, generated for these biomarkers, to differentiate ACS with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) from those without demonstrated that the AUC values of sLOX-1, hs-CRP and hs-TnT were 0.718, 0.506 and 0.524, respectively.

Conclusion

sLOX-1, but not hs-CRP or hs-TnT, can differentiate ACS with plaque rupture from those without, and ACS with TCFA from those without.     

Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

During a period of 18 months, intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) was performed in 360 patients with various gastrointestinal disorders. This technique was useful both in diagnostic and interventional procedures. Due to increased contrast resolution, hepatic tumors and portal vein systems were better visualized than with the use of conventional angiography. Also, a significant reduction in the dosage of contrast medium resulted in markedly reduced patient discomfort. Small pancreatobiliary tumors were better evaluated on conventional angiograms due to the decreased spatial resolution of IADSA.     

Experience with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using the Japanese needle

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using a very thin needle has been performed in 885 patients with a variety of underlying hepatic, biliary, and pancreatic disorders. The procedure was successful in 99% of the patients with dilated intrahepatic bile ducts and in 85% of those with non-dilated ducts. Complications which required surgical intervention occurred only in two cases (0.2%). In patients with obstructive jaundice, external bile drainage was performed immediately after visualization of the bile duct. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is an extremely useful and safe method for investigating disorders of the biliary tract, for localizing the cause of obstructive jaundice, and for reducing the degree of jaundice and improving the general status of patients with obstructive jaundice.     

Reconstruction of knee ligaments with a free tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flap transfer.

A 26-year-old woman suffered a grinding injury of the thigh and knee, resulting in the loss of a large amount of soft tissue and some of the femur. A contralateral tensor fascia lata myocutaneous free flap was used to reconstruct the soft tissues and the lateral ligament compartment around the knee. Later, a ceramic artificial bone was implanted. The patient was able to walk, and a stress radiograph showed that the implanted artificial bone and the knee joint were stable. There was no donor-site morbidity. The functional and cosmetic results were satisfactory.