Clinical significance of non-culprit plaque regression following acute coronary syndrome: A serial intravascular ultrasound study

C-reactive protein and coronary atheroma regression following statin therapy: A meta-regression of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Several clinical trials have indicated that statins stabilize and reverse atherosclerotic plaque. However, different studies have provided inconsistent findings regarding mechanisms and influencing factors of plaque regression under statin therapy. Apart from lipid-lowering effect, statins have pleiotropic effects including anti inflammation in humans. In this study, meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to determine the effects of statin medications on coronary plaque volume. Meanwhile, to assess whether statins promote plaque regression effect was related to their anti-inflammatory ability, the impact of CRP/hsCRP reduction during statin therapy on plaque regression was investigated.

METHODS

Up to June 15, 2022, a systematic PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane search was performed for randomized controlled trials that assessed treatment effect using total atheroma volume (TAV), percent atheroma volume (PAV), or plaque volume (PV). Only CRP/hsCRP and LDL-C values reported before and after treatment were considered.

RESULTS

12 studies (2,812 patients with heart and/or vascular disease) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. A meta-analysis of 15 statin-treated arms reported a significant reduction in change of TAV/PV [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.27, 95% confidence intervals (-CI): -0.42, -0.12, p < 0.001], compared with the control arms. Another meta-analysis of 7 trials also found that patients in the intervention group had a significant reduction in change of PAV (SMD: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.29, -0.03, p = 0.019), compared with those in the control group. Meta-regressionanalysis revealed that the percent change of CRP/hsCRP was significantly associated with SMD in change of TAV/PV after adjusting for percent change of LDL-C, age, gender and study duration. Meta-regression analysis showed that percent change of CRP/hsCRP statistically influenced SMD in change of PAV, when percent change of CRP/hsCRP was included separately. However, the percent change of CRP/hsCRP was not significantly associated with SMD of PAV change after adjusting for all covariates.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, statin therapy is beneficial for plaque regression. Statins promote plaque regression, which might be associated to their anti-inflammatory ability.

Progression from normal vessel wall to atherosclerotic plaque: lessons from an optical coherence tomography study with follow-up of over 5 years

The initial process of atherosclerotic development has not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to observe atherosclerotic progression from normal vessel wall (NVW) to atherosclerotic plaque and examine local factors associated with such progression using > 5-year long-term follow-up data obtained by serial optical coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 49 patients who underwent serial OCT for lesions with NVW over 5 years (average: 6.9 years) were enrolled. NVW was defined as a vessel wall with an OCT-detectable three-layer structure and intimal thickness ≤ 300 μm. Baseline and follow-up OCT images were matched, and OCT cross sections with NVW > 30° were enrolled. Cross sections were diagnosed as "progression" when the NVW in these cross sections was reduced by > 30° at > 5-year follow-up. Atherogenic progression from NVW to atherosclerotic plaque was observed in 40.8% of enrolled cross sections. The incidence of microchannels in an adjacent atherosclerotic plaque within the same cross section (6.7 vs. 3.3%; p = 0.046) and eccentric distribution of atherosclerotic plaque (25.0 vs. 12.6%; p < 0.001) at baseline was significantly higher in cross sections with progression than in those without. Cross sections with progression exhibited significantly higher NVW intimal thickness at baseline than cross sections without progression (200.1 ± 53.7 vs. 180.2 ± 59.6 μm; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of microchannels in an adjacent atherosclerotic plaque, eccentric distribution of atherosclerotic plaque, and greater NVW intimal thickness at baseline were independently associated with progression at follow-up. The presence of microchannels in an adjacent atherosclerotic plaque, eccentric distribution of atherosclerotic plaque, and greater NVW intimal thickness were potentially associated with initial atherosclerotic development from NVW to atherosclerotic plaque.

Predictive value of spiral shape in coronary plaque progression: an intraindividual comparative study

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a pilot study to explore the value of spiral-shaped sign of plaque from coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in predicting plaque progression by intraindividual comparison.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients with a total of 60 plaques who received serial CCTA were retrospectively included and intraindividual compared. The spiral shape was defined as plaques coursing along the long axis of a coronary artery and encircling it at an angle of ≥ 180 degrees. The high-risk and other plaque signs were recorded.

RESULTS

On baseline CCTA, the spiral shape (P < 0.01) and length (P < 0.05) of plaques were more frequently seen in the progression group than in the nonprogression group; however, there was no difference between two groups in terms of high-risk plaque signs. In the progression group, plaque length, volume, and napkin-ring sign on follow-up CCTA were significantly greater than at baseline (P < 0.05). In the nonprogression group, there were fewer low-attenuation and positive remodeling plaques on follow-up CCTA than at baseline (P < 0.05). The spiral shape (standardized β = -4.55; P < 0.01) was an independent risk factor for plaque progression. There were 24 spiral plaques in the progression group, of which 16 (66.7%) had progression below the twist point of the spiral shape.

CONCLUSIONS

The baseline spiral shape is more frequently found in those lesions that progress than in those that do not in patients with multiple coronary lesions, and the spiral shape is an independent predictor of which plaques will progress.

Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: A Residual Risk for Rapid Progression of Non-Culprit Coronary Lesion in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Aim: This study investigated whether the small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sd-LDL-c) level is associated with the rapid progression (RP) of non-culprit coronary artery lesions and cardiovascular events (CE) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: In 142 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for the culprit lesion, the sd-LDL-c level was measured using a direct homogeneous assay on admission for ACS and at the 10-month follow-up coronary angiography. RP was defined as a progression of any pre-existing coronary stenosis and/or stenosis development in the initially normal coronary artery. CEs were defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary revascularization.

Results: Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence ( n =29) or absence ( n =113) of RP after 10 months. The LDL-c and sd-LDL-c levels at baseline were equivalent in both the groups. However, the sd-LDL-c, triglyceride, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RL-c), and apoC3 levels at follow-up were significantly higher in the RP group than in the non-RP group. The optimal threshold values of sd-LDL-c, triglyceride, RL-c, and apoC3 for predicting RP according to receiver operating characteristics analysis were 20.9, 113, 5.5, and 9.7 mg/dL, respectively. Only the sd-LDL-c level (≥ 20.9 mg/dL) was significantly associated with incident CEs at 31±17 months (log-rank: 4.123, p =0.043).

Conclusions: The sd-LDL-c level on treatment was significantly associated with RP of non-culprit lesions, resulting in CEs in ACS patients. On-treatment sd-LDL-c is a residual risk and aggressive reduction of sd-LDL-c might be needed to prevent CEs.

Plaque Regression and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization With Intensive Lipid Elimination Regimen (PREMIER)

BACKGROUND

Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are removed by extracorporeal filtration during LDL apheresis. It is mainly used in familial hyperlipidemia. The PREMIER trial (Plaque Regression and Progenitor Cell Mobilization With Intensive Lipid Elimination Regimen) evaluated LDL apheresis in nonfamilial hyperlipidemia acute coronary syndrome patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

We randomized 160 acute coronary syndrome patients at 4 Veterans Affairs centers within 72 hours of percutaneous coronary intervention to intensive lipid-lowering therapy (ILLT) comprising single LDL apheresis and statins versus standard medical therapy (SMT) with no LDL apheresis and statin therapy alone. Trial objectives constituted primary safety and primary efficacy end points and endothelial progenitor cell colony-forming unit mobilization in peripheral blood.

RESULTS

Mean LDL reduction at discharge was 53% in ILLT and 17% in SMT groups (P<0.0001) from baseline levels of 116.3±34.3 and 110.7±32 mg/dL (P=0.2979), respectively. The incidence of the primary safety end point of major peri-percutaneous coronary intervention adverse events was similar in both groups (ILLT, 3; SMT, 0). The primary efficacy end point, percentage change in total plaque volume at 90 days by intravascular ultrasound, on average decreased by 4.81% in the ILLT group and increased by 2.31% in the SMT group (difference of means, -7.13 [95% CI, -14.59 to 0.34]; P=0.0611). The raw change in total plaque volume on average decreased more in the ILLT group than in the SMT group (-6.01 versus -0.95 mm³; difference of means, -5.06 [95% CI, -11.61 to 1.48]; P=0.1286). Similar results were obtained after adjusting for participating sites, age, preexisting coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, baseline LDL levels, and baseline plaque burden. There was robust endothelial progenitor cell colony-forming unit mobilization from baseline to 90 days in the ILLT group (P=0.0015) but not in SMT (P=0.0844).

CONCLUSIONS

PREMIER is the first randomized clinical trial to demonstrate safety and a trend for early coronary plaque regression with LDL apheresis in nonfamilial hyperlipidemia acute coronary syndrome patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01004406 and NCT02347098.

Prognostic impact of lipoprotein (a) on long-term clinical outcomes in diabetic patients on statin treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Serum levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] have been reported as a residual risk marker for adverse events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the prognostic impact of Lp(a) on long-term clinical outcomes among diabetic patients on statin therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.

METHODS

The present investigation was a single-center, observational, retrospective cohort study. Among consecutive patients with CAD who underwent first PCI in our institution from 2000 to 2016, we enrolled diabetic patients on statin treatment. As a result, 927 patients (81% men; mean age, 67 years) were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to a median Lp(a) level of 19.5 mg/dL. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal cerebral infarction (CI), was evaluated.

RESULT

No significant differences were seen in age, sex, smoking habits, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or body mass index between high and low Lp(a) groups. During follow-up (median, 5.0 years; interquartile range, 1.9-9.7 years), MACE occurred in 90 cases (17.6%), including 40 (7.9%) cardiac deaths, 18 (3.6%) non-fatal MI, and 37 (7.9%) non-fatal CI. Frequency of MACE was significantly higher in the high-Lp(a) group than in the low-Lp(a) group (log-rank test, p = 0.002). Higher Lp(a) level at the time of PCI was significantly associated with higher frequency of MACE, even after adjusting for other covariates, including other lipid profiles (hazard ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-3.09; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that in diabetic patients with CAD on statin treatment, increased Lp(a) levels could offer a good residual lipid risk marker. Assessing Lp(a) levels may be useful for risk stratification of long-term clinical outcomes after PCI, especially in diabetic patients.

Relationships of coronary culprit-plaque characteristics with duration of diabetes mellitus in acute myocardial infarction: an intravascular optical coherence tomography study

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) or pre-diabetes status is closely associated with features of vulnerable coronary lesions in patients with stable coronary heart disease or acute coronary syndrome. However, the association between duration of diabetes and the morphologies and features of vulnerable plaques has not been fully investigated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

We enrolled a total of 279 patients who presented with AMI between March 2017 and March 2019 and underwent pre-intervention optical coherence tomography imaging of culprit lesions. Patients with DM were divided into two subgroups: a Short-DM group with DM duration of < 10 years and a Long-DM group with DM duration of ≥ 10 years. Baseline clinical data and culprit-plaque characteristics were compared between patients without DM (the non-DM group), those in the Short-DM group, and those in the Long-DM group.

Results

Patients with DM represented 34.1% of the study population (95 patients). The Short- and Long-DM groups included 64 (67.4%) and 31 patients (32.6%), respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were significantly higher in the Long-DM group than the Non- or Short-DM groups (8.4% [Long-DM] versus 5.7% [Non-DM] and 7.6% [Short-DM], P < 0.001). In addition, the highest prevalence of lipid-rich plaques, thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), and plaque ruptures of culprit lesions were observed in the Long-DM group (lipid-rich plaques: 80.6% [Long-DM] versus 52.2% [Non-DM] and 62.5% [Short-DM], P = 0.007; TCFA: 41.9% [Long-DM] versus 19.6% [Non-DM] and 31.3% [Short-DM], P = 0.012; plaque rupture: 74.2% [Long-DM] versus 46.7% [Non-DM] and 48.4% [Short-DM], P = 0.017). The frequency of calcification was significantly higher among patients with DM than among those without (62.1% versus 46.2%, P = 0.016); however, no significant differences were found between the DM subgroups (61.3% [Long-DM] versus 62.5% [Short-DM], P = 0.999).

Conclusions

Increased duration of DM combined with higher HbA1c levels influences culprit-plaque characteristics in patients with DM who suffer AMI. These findings might account for the higher risks of cardiac death in DM patients with long disease duration.

Trial registration This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03593928

Incidence, retrieval methods, and outcomes of intravascular ultrasound catheter stuck within an implanted stent: Systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

There have been no reviews regarding intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter entrapment during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study investigated the incidence, retrieval methods, and outcomes of IVUS catheter stuck within implanted stents.

METHODS

Between January 2015 and July 2018, a total of 794 consecutive patients underwent PCI for coronary artery disease. Among them, 705 patients underwent stent implantation using IVUS. The patients with IVUS catheter entrapment in an implanted stent were investigated.

RESULTS

Ten patients (1.4%) suffered from an IVUS catheter stuck in an implanted stent. Among them, 7 patients had very tortuous lesions while 5 patients had severely calcified lesions. Seven patients (70%) underwent placement of the 3rd generation drug-eluting stent (DES), and the stent diameters were ≤2.5mm among 8 patients (80%). Retrieval methods were the buddy wire technique, the double guide catheter technique, covering the exit port of IVUS catheter with a balloon catheter, and covering with GuideLiner® catheter (Vascular Solutions Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). On multivariable analysis, the predictors of IVUS catheter entrapment were tortuous lesion [odds ratio (OR), 8.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.19-30.7; p=0.002], 3rd generation DES (OR, 5.31; 95% CI, 1.08-26.1; p=0.021), and stent diameter ≤2.5mm (OR, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.29-30.8; p=0.010). Furthermore, we identified 6 cases of IVUS catheter entrapment through a systematic literature review.

CONCLUSIONS

The IVUS catheter was almost stuck in tortuous lesions and the 3rd generation DES with a small diameter. We could successfully retrieve it in all cases using various retrieval techniques.