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Onea HL, Olinic M, Lazar FL, Homorodean C, Ober MC, Spinu M, Achim A, Tataru DA, Olinic DM. A Review Paper on Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Calcification Pattern: Is It Relevant Today? J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024; 11:231. [PMID: 39195139 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11080231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The process of coronary calcification represents one of the numerous pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the atherosclerosis continuum. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) represents an ideal imaging modality to assess plaque components, especially calcium. Different calcification patterns have been contemporarily described in both early stages and advanced atherosclerosis. Microcalcifications and spotty calcifications correlate positively with macrophage burden and inflammatory markers and are more frequently found in the superficial layers of ruptured plaques in acute coronary syndrome patients. More compact, extensive calcification may reflect a later stage of the disease and was traditionally associated with plaque stability. Nevertheless, a small number of culprit coronary lesions demonstrates the presence of dense calcified plaques. The purpose of the current paper is to review the most recent OCT data on coronary calcification and the interrelation between calcification pattern and plaque vulnerability. How different calcified plaques influence treatment strategies and associated prognostic implications is of great interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horea-Laurentiu Onea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- County Clinical Emergency Hospital Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Maria Olinic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Florin-Leontin Lazar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- County Clinical Emergency Hospital Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Calin Homorodean
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Claudiu Ober
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihail Spinu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Achim
- Niculae Stancioiu Heart Institute Cluj-Napoca, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Alexandru Tataru
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dan Mircea Olinic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Clinic Number 1, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Second Cardiology Department, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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