Plaque burden is associated with minimal intimal coverage following drug-eluting stent implantation in an adult familial hypercholesterolemia swine model

Safety and efficacy of coronary drug-eluting stents (DES) are often preclinically tested using healthy or minimally diseased swine. These generally show significant fibrotic neointima at follow-up, while in patients, incomplete healing is often observed. The aim of this study was to investigate neointima responses to DES in swine with significant coronary atherosclerosis. Adult familial hypercholesterolemic swine (n = 6) received a high fat diet to develop atherosclerosis. Serial OCT was performed before, directly after, and 28 days after DES implantation (n = 14 stents). Lumen, stent and plaque area, uncovered struts, neointima thickness and neointima type were analyzed for each frame and averaged per stent. Histology was performed to show differences in coronary atherosclerosis. A range of plaque size and severity was found, from healthy segments to lipid-rich plaques. Accordingly, neointima responses ranged from uncovered struts, to minimal neointima, to fibrotic neointima. Lower plaque burden resulted in a fibrotic neointima at follow-up, reminiscent of minimally diseased swine coronary models. In contrast, higher plaque burden resulted in minimal neointima and more uncovered struts at follow-up, similarly to patients' responses. The presence of lipid-rich plaques resulted in more uncovered struts, which underscores the importance of advanced disease when performing safety and efficacy testing of DES.

Tissue characterisation and primary percutaneous coronary intervention guidance using intravascular ultrasound: rationale and design of the SPECTRUM study

Introduction

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) improves clinical outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but dedicated prospective studies assessing the safety and efficacy of IVUS guidance during primary PCI are lacking.

Methods and analysis

The SPECTRUM study is a prospective investigator-initiated single-centre single-arm observational cohort study aiming to enrol 200 patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarct undergoing IVUS-guided primary PCI. IVUS will be performed at baseline, postintervention and postoptimisation (if applicable), using a 40–60 MHz high-definition (HD) system. Baseline tissue characterisation includes the morphological description of culprit lesion plaque characteristics and thrombus as assessed with HD-IVUS. The primary endpoint is target vessel failure at 12 months (defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and clinically driven target vessel revascularisation). The secondary outcome of interest is IVUS-guided optimisation, defined as IVUS-guided additional balloon dilatation or stent placement. Other endpoints include clinical and procedural outcomes along with post-PCI IVUS findings.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Written informed consent is obtained from all patients. Study findings will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals in the field of cardiovascular imaging and interventions and will be presented at international scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT05007535.

Culprit lesion detection in patients presenting with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome and multivessel disease

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Identification of the culprit lesion in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) allows appropriate coronary revascularization but may be unclear in patients with multivessel coronary disease (MVD). Therefore, we investigated the rate of culprit lesion identification during coronary angiography in NSTE-ACS and multivessel disease.

METHODS/MATERIALS

Consecutive patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and MVD, between January 2012 and December 2016 were evaluated. Coronary angiograms, intravascular imaging, and ECGs were analyzed for culprit lesion identification. Long-term clinical outcomes in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and mortality were reported in patients with or without culprit identification.

RESULTS

A total of 1107 patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD were included in the analysis, 310 (28.0%) with unstable angina and 797 (72.0%) with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. The culprit lesion was angiographically identified in 952 (86.0%) patients, while no clear culprit lesion was found in 155 (14.0%) patients. ECG analysis allowed to predict the location of the culprit vessel with low sensitivity (range 28.4%-36.7%) and high specificity (range 90.6%-96.5%). Higher lesion complexity was associated with inability to identify the culprit. Intravascular imaging was applied in 55 patients and helped to identify the culprit lesion in 53 patients (96.4%). There was no difference in all-cause mortality (21.4% vs. 25.8%, p = 0.24) and MACE (39.2% vs. 47.6%, p = 0.07) between the cohorts with or without culprit lesion identification by angiography.

CONCLUSIONS

The culprit lesion appeared unclear by coronary angiography in >10% of patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD. Complementary invasive imaging substantially enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of culprit lesion detection.

Relation between pre-existing plaque size and neointimal healing in an adult porcine model of familial hypercholesterolemia

Background

Despite the efficacy of novel drug eluting stents (DES) in preventing restenosis, this complication still occurs, as do neo-atherosclerosis development and poor stent strut coverage that are associated with stent thrombosis. Safety and efficacy of novel coronary stents are preclinically being tested using an established porcine coronary model. However, the use of young healthy animal only allow limited conclusions to be drawn on the long-term effects, as the artieries do not reflect human pathology of advanced atherosclerosis. A key unresolved question is whether and how the presence, size and composition of pre-existing atherosclerotic plaque affect neointimal healing.

Purpose

The objective of this study is to understand the role of atherosclerotic plaque in neointimal response following DES placement in a large animal model of coronary artery disease by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis.

Methods

The study was approved by the animal ethics committee. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) swine (n=6 Bretoncelles-Meishan) were given a high fat diet for 12 months to develop atherosclerosis. Stents (n=14) were implanted in n=14 coronary arteries under guidance of OCT with a stent-artery ratio of 1.1:1 at sites of atherosclerotic plaque, and animals were sacrificed after 28 days. Two types of Sirolimus eluting stents with different release profiles were implanted. Serial OCT pullbacks were taken before and after stent placement and after 28 days (follow-up), quantitatively analyzed and compared using dedicated software. The lumen area, stent area, plaque size (calculated as external elastic lamina (EEL) area - lumen area) and neointima (calculated as stent area – lumen area) were evaluated for each frame and averaged per stent. The plaque burden before stent implantation was evaluated at the same site of stent placement using coronary side branches as reference.

Results

The graph shows the association between the pre-existing plaque size before stenting and neointima formation after 28 days. Surprisingly, more pre-existing plaque size resulted in less neointima (P<0.01). There was one outlier, a stent with long dissection and extensive malapposition at baseline which showed an excessive tissue response at follow-up. The response in this animal model shows similarity to human vessel response as both regions with thin neointima formation as well as poor strut coverage were observed for both stent types.

Conclusion

The novel model of adult FH swine shows long-term vessel response to DES, that is similar to human response. This work shows that pre-existing atherosclerotic plaque affects the neointima after DES implantation. This insight highlights the necessity to use relevant disease models for safety and efficacy testing.

Plaque size and neointima relation

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)

The Effect of Stent Artefact on Quantification of Plaque Features Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A Feasibility and Clinical Utility Study

BACKGROUND

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can detect detailed plaque features in native coronary arteries. Stent struts cause shadows that partially obscure the vessel wall, but plaque features can still be seen. We investigated the impact of stent artefact on plaque quantification and whether the plaque behind struts is associated with microvascular dysfunction.

METHODS

Patients retrospectively recruited from two centres, underwent OCT pre- and post-stenting on the same vessel segment. Lipid (LA) and calcium (CA) were measured as arcs. Macrophages, microchannels and cholesterol crystals were counted. Subsequently, we determined whether stented plaque features were associated with reduced Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade in consecutive patients who underwent OCT post-stenting.

RESULTS

In 52 patients the lipid arc was similar pre- vs post-stent: median (55º [13º-93º] vs. 40º [18º-87°]; difference 1º [-7º to 16º], p = NS). Pre- and post-stent lipid were strongly correlated (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). In a further 128 patients those with reduced (TIMI ≤ II) vs normal flow post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) showed more plaque behind struts: lipid (89º [50º-139º] vs 62º [29º-88°]; p < 0.001); and calcium (24º [6º-45º] vs 7° [0º-34º]; p = 0.031). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal TIMI flow post-stenting was associated with diabetes (Odds ratio [OR] 2.87, CI 1.01-8.19, p = 0.048), LA (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.14-1.38, p < 0.001) and CA (OR 1.26, CI 1.07-1.40, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Plaque behind the struts can be accurately quantified using OCT. Furthermore, OCT plaque features in stented segments are associated with microvascular dysfunction post PCI.

Fractional flow reserve guided percutaneous coronary intervention optimization directed by high-definition intravascular ultrasound versus standard of care: Rationale and study design of the prospective randomized FFR-REACT trial

BACKGROUND

Post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a significant predictor of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The rationale for low post procedural FFR values often remains elusive based on angiographic findings alone, warranting further assessment using an FFR pullback or additional intravascular imaging. It is currently unknown if additional interventions intended to improve the PCI, decrease MACE rates.

STUDY DESIGN

The FFR REACT trial is a prospective, single-center randomized controlled trial in which 290 patients with a post PCI FFR <0.90 will be randomized (1:1) to either standard of care (no additional intervention) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-directed optimization of the FFR (treatment arm). Eligible patients are those treated with angiographically successful PCI for (un)stable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI). Assuming 45% of patients will have a post PCI FFR <0.90, approximately 640 patients undergoing PCI will need to be enrolled. Patients with a post PCI FFR ≥ 0.90 will be enrolled in a prospective registry. The primary end point is defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel MI and clinically driven target vessel revascularisation (target vessel failure) at 1 year. Secondary end points will consist of individual components of the primary end point, procedural success, stent thrombosis and correlations on clinical outcome, changes in post PCI Pd/Pa and FFR and IVUS derived dimensions. All patients will be followed for 3 years.

CONCLUSION

The FFR-REACT trial is designed to explore the potential benefit of HD-IVUS-guided PCI optimization in patients with a post PCI FFR <0.90 (Dutch trial register: NTR6711).

SYNTAX score in relation to intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy for the assessment of atherosclerotic burden in patients with coronary artery disease

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the anatomical SYNTAX score (SXscore), derived from all three coronary arteries, and coronary wall pathology measured by radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound (RF-IVUS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a single non-culprit segment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In patients referred for coronary angiography (N=88) or PCI (N=592) for stable angina or acute coronary syndrome, the SYNTAX score calculator (www.syntaxscore.com) was used to determine the SXscore before PCI, if applicable. RF-IVUS and/or NIRS were performed in a non-stenotic 40 mm study segment following the clinically indicated angiography/PCI. After adjustment for multiple confounders, a higher SXscore was associated with higher segmental plaque volume in the study segment (2.21 mm3 per SXscore point, 95% CI: 0.92-3.50, p-value 0.001), as well as with higher volume of fibrous (0.93 mm3 per point) and fibro-fatty tissue (0.29 mm3 per point). A higher SXscore was also associated with a higher NIRS-derived lipid core burden index (LCBI) in the full study segment (1.35 units per SXscore point, 95% CI: 0.22-2.47, p-value 0.019). Importantly, SXscore correlated with the fatty/fibro-fatty and LCBI signals despite adjusting for plaque burden.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CAD, higher SXscores are associated with higher atherosclerotic burden as assessed by RF-IVUS and NIRS in a single non-stenotic coronary artery segment.

SYNTAX score II predicts long-term mortality in patients with one- or two-vessel disease

Objective

SYNTAX score II (SSII) is a long-term mortality prediction model to guide the decision making of the heart-team between coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main or three-vessel coronary artery disease. This study aims to investigate the long-term predictive value of SSII for all-cause mortality in patients with one- or two-vessel disease undergoing PCI.

Methods

A total of 628 patients (76% men, mean age: 61±10 years) undergoing PCI due to stable angina pectoris (43%) or acute coronary syndrome (57%), included between January 2008 and June 2013, were eligible for the current study. SSII was calculated using the original SYNTAX score website (www.syntaxscore.com). Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between continuous SSII and long-term all-cause mortality. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to assess the performance of SSII.

Results

SSII ranged from 6.6 to 58.2 (median: 20.4, interquartile range: 16.1–26.8). In multivariable analysis, SSII proved to be an independent significant predictor for 4.5-year mortality (hazard ratio per point increase: 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.13; p<0.001). In terms of discrimination, SSII had a concordance index of 0.77.

Conclusion

In addition to its established value in patients with left main and three-vessel disease, SSII may also predict long-term mortality in PCI-treated patients with one- or two-vessel disease.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of dynamic changes in non-culprit coronary atherosclerotic lesion morphology: a longitudinal OCT study

AIMS

There is limited in vivo evidence regarding the temporal evolution of non-culprit coronary plaque morphology. We aimed to evaluate changes in non-culprit plaque morphology over time by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy-two (72) patients with 257 non-culprit segments with serial OCT studies were analysed. Non-culprit 5 mm-long coronary segments from the same imaged region were matched between baseline and follow-up. OCT plaque characterisation including automated attenuation analysis was performed, and changes over a median follow-up of 6.2 months were evaluated. On segment level, lumen area decreased from baseline to follow-up, whereas fibrous cap thickness increased. Similarly, plaque attenuation indices at follow-up were significantly decreased. Minimal cap thickness per patient did not change. In 68.5% of segments, plaque morphology did not change. Favourable change was observed in 18.4% of segments and unfavourable in 12.9%. There were no robust clinical predictors of change in plaque morphology. Attenuation analysis supported the qualitative characterisation, showing significantly different attenuation between different plaque types.

CONCLUSIONS

In non-culprit coronary segments of patients with coronary artery disease under standard medical therapy, segment-level but not patient-level minimum fibrous cap thickness increases over time, with observations of both favourable and unfavourable changes in individual segments.

Percutaneous Plug-Based Arteriotomy Closure Device for Large-Bore Access: A Multicenter Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to study the safety and efficacy of the MANTA Vascular Closure Device (VCD), a novel collagen-based technology dedicated to closure of large-bore arteriotomies.

BACKGROUND

Novel transfemoral therapeutic interventions requiring large-bore catheters have become valid minimally invasive options but have inherent access management challenges. To date, no dedicated vascular closure devices exist for large arteriotomies.

METHODS

A prospective, single-arm clinical investigation enrolling patients who underwent elective percutaneous interventions with large-bore catheters and planned percutaneous arteriotomy closure in 3 European institutions.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients with a mean age of 79.5 ± 8.3 years underwent high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, balloon aortic valvuloplasty, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement with large-bore catheters sized 12-F to 19-F. MANTA closure was performed by 9 different operators. The 14-F MANTA VCD was deployed in one-third of the overall cohort (16 of 50, 32%), and the 18-F MANTA VCD in the remainder. The MANTA VCD was deployed successfully in all patients. The mean time to hemostasis was 2 min, 23 s. One patient had a major vascular and major bleeding complication with prolonged femoral bleeding that was successfully treated with a covered stent and eventual surgical repair. There were no other access site-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This first multicenter experience demonstrates rapid and reliable hemostasis and low complication rates with the use of the plug-based MANTA VCD for large-bore arteriotomy closure.

Neoatherosclerosis development following bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation in diabetic and non-diabetic swine

Background

DM remains a risk factor for poor outcome after stent-implantation, but little is known if and how DM affects the vascular response to BVS.

Aim

The aim of our study was to examine coronary responses to bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) in swine with and without diabetes mellitus fed a ‘fast-food’ diet (FF-DM and FF-NDM, respectively) by sequential optical coherence tomography (OCT)-imaging and histology.

Methods

Fifteen male swine were evaluated. Eight received streptozotocin-injection to induce DM. After 9 months (M), 32 single BVS were implanted in epicardial arteries with a stent to artery (S/A)-ratio of 1.1:1 under quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and OCT guidance. Lumen, scaffold, neointimal coverage and composition were assessed by QCA, OCT and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) pre- and/or post-procedure, at 3M and 6M. Additionally, polarization-sensitive (PS)-OCT was performed in 7 swine at 6M. After sacrifice at 3M and 6M, histology and polymer degradation analysis were performed.

Results

Late lumen loss was high (~60%) within the first 3M after BVS-implantation (P<0.01 FF-DM vs. FF-NDM) and stabilized between 3M and 6M (<5% change in FF-DM, ~10% in FF-NDM; P>0.20). Neointimal coverage was highly heterogeneous in all swine (DM vs. NDM P>0.05), with focal lipid accumulation, irregular collagen distribution and neointimal calcification. Likewise, polymer mass loss was low (~2% at 3M, ~5% at 6M;P>0.20) and not associated with DM or inflammation.

Conclusion

Scaffold coverage showed signs of neo-atherosclerosis in all FF-DM and FF-NDM swine, scaffold polymer was preserved and the vascular response to BVS was not influenced by diabetes.

The Rotterdam Radial Access Research: Ultrasound-Based Radial Artery Evaluation for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Coronary Procedures

BACKGROUND

Radial artery wall might be damaged after cannulation for cardiac catheterization. We investigated structural changes of the radial artery wall after catheterization to understand whether these might predict radial pulsation loss or occlusion and local pain or functional impairment of the upper extremity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ninety patients underwent transradial coronary angiography or intervention and were scanned with a high-resolution 40-MHz ultrasound before cannulation and at 3 hours and 30 days after procedure. Acute injuries of the radial artery occurred in all patients: dissection and intramural hematoma were the most common. However, these phenomena did not predict loss of radial pulsation or occlusion, local pain, or functional impairment at 30 days. Overall, the radial artery lumen was significantly reduced distal to the puncture site. Radial artery intima and total wall thickness increased 3 hours after puncture and persisted at 30 days. Radial occlusion and pulsation loss were observed in 3.9% and 9.2% of patients, respectively, at 30 days. Smaller radial artery lumen at baseline increased the risk of radial pulsation loss at 30 days (odds ratio, 1.23; P=0.049). The number of radial puncture attempts predicted pulsation loss (odds ratio, 2.64; P=0.027), occlusion (odds ratio, 3.49; P=0.022), and symptoms (odds ratio, 2.24; P=0.05) at 30-day follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

After catheterization, radial artery puncture site is associated with increased intima and total wall thickness and with modest decrease of inner lumen diameter. Acute injuries of the vessel wall were ubiquitous, but contrary to repeated puncture attempts, did not seem to affect postprocedural radial occlusion or loss of pulsation.

Multimodality Intra-Arterial Imaging Assessment of the Vascular Trauma Induced by Balloon-Based and Nonballoon-Based Renal Denervation Systems

BACKGROUND

Renal denervation is a new treatment considered for several possible indications. As new systems are introduced, the incidence of acute renal artery wall injury with relation to the denervation method is unknown. We investigated the acute repercussion of renal denervation on the renal arteries of patients treated with balloon-based and nonballoon-based denervation systems by quantitative angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (50 renal arteries) underwent bilateral renal denervation with 5 different systems, 3 of which balloon-based (Paradise [n=5], Oneshot [n=6], and Vessix V2 [n=5)]) and 2 nonballoon-based (Symplicity [n=6] and EnligHTN [n=3]). Analysis included quantitative angiography and morphometric intravascular ultrasound measurements pre and post procedure and assessment of vascular trauma (dissection, edema, or thrombus) by OCT after denervation. A significant reduction in lumen size by quantitative angiography and intravascular ultrasound was observed in nonballoon denervation but not in balloon denervation. By postdenervation OCT, dissection was seen in 14 arteries (32.6%). The percentage of frames with dissection was higher in balloon-based denervation catheters. Thrombus and edema were detected in 35 (81.4%) and 32 (74.4%) arteries, respectively. In arteries treated with balloon-based denervation that had dissection by OCT, the balloon/artery ratio was higher (1.24 [1.17-1.32] versus 1.10 [1.04-1.18]; P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A varying extent of vascular injury was observed after renal denervation in all systems; however, different patterns were identified in balloon-based and in nonballoon-based denervation systems. In balloon denervation, the presence of dissections by OCT was associated with a higher balloon/artery ratio.

Quantitative Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography

Background—

Coronary lesions with a diameter narrowing ≥50% on visual computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) are generally considered for referral to invasive coronary angiography. However, similar to invasive coronary angiography, visual CTCA is often inaccurate in detecting functionally significant coronary lesions. We sought to compare the diagnostic performance of quantitative CTCA with visual CTCA for the detection of functionally significant coronary lesions using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard.

Methods and Results—

CTCA and FFR measurements were obtained in 99 symptomatic patients. In total, 144 coronary lesions detected on CTCA were visually graded for stenosis severity. Quantitative CTCA measurements included lesion length, minimal area diameter, % area stenosis, minimal lumen diameter, % diameter stenosis, and plaque burden [(vessel area−lumen area)/vessel area×100]. Optimal cutoff values of CTCA-derived parameters were determined, and their diagnostic accuracy for the detection of flow-limiting coronary lesions (FFR ≤0.80) was compared with visual CTCA. FFR was ≤0.80 in 54 of 144 (38%) coronary lesions. Optimal cutoff values to predict flow-limiting coronary lesion were 10 mm for lesion length, 1.8 mm 2 for minimal area diameter, 73% for % area stenosis, 1.5 mm for minimal lumen diameter, 48% for % diameter stenosis, and 76% for plaque burden. No significant difference in sensitivity was found between visual CTCA and quantitative CTCA parameters ( P >0.05). The specificity of visual CTCA (42%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31%–54%) was lower than that of minimal area diameter (68%; 95% CI, 57%–77%; P =0.001), % area stenosis (76%; 95% CI, 65%–84%; P <0.001), minimal lumen diameter (67%; 95% CI, 55%–76%; P =0.001), % diameter stenosis (72%; 95% CI, 62%–80%; P <0.001), and plaque burden (63%; 95% CI, 52%–73%; P =0.004). The specificity of lesion length was comparable with that of visual CTCA.

Conclusions—

Quantitative CTCA improves the prediction of functionally significant coronary lesions compared with visual CTCA assessment but remains insufficient. Functional assessment is still required in lesions of moderate stenosis to accurately detect impaired FFR.

In vivo detection of high-risk coronary plaques by radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound and cardiovascular outcome: results of the ATHEROREMO-IVUS study

AIMS

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are mostly caused by plaque rupture. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of in vivo detection of high-risk coronary plaques by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between November 2008 and January 2011, IVUS of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients who underwent coronary angiography for ACS (n = 318) or stable angina (n = 263). Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) defined as mortality, ACS, or unplanned coronary revascularization. Culprit lesion-related events were not counted. Cumulative Kaplan-Meier incidence of 1-year MACE was 7.8%. The presence of IVUS virtual histology-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) lesions (present 10.8% vs. absent 5.6%; adjusted HR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.09-3.60; P = 0.026) and lesions with a plaque burden of ≥70% (present 16.2% vs. absent 5.5%; adjusted HR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.60-5.25; P < 0.001) were independently associated with a higher MACE rate. Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions were also independently associated with the composite of death or ACS only (present 7.5% vs. absent 3.0%; adjusted HR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.15-5.49; P = 0.021). Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions with a plaque burden of ≥70% were associated with a higher MACE rate within (P = 0.011) and after (P < 0.001) 6 months of follow-up, while smaller TCFA lesions were only associated with a higher MACE rate after 6 months (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing coronary angiography, the presence of IVUS virtual histology-derived TCFA lesions in a non-culprit coronary artery is strongly and independently predictive for the occurrence of MACE within 1 year, particularly of death and ACS. Thin-cap fibroatheroma lesions with a large plaque burden carry higher risk than small TCFA lesions, especially on the short term.

Optical Coherence Tomography: Potential Clinical Applications

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel intravascular imaging modality using near-infrared light. By OCT it is possible to obtain high-resolution cross-sectional images of the vascular wall structure and assess the acute and long-term effects of percutaneous coronary intervention. For the time being OCT has been mainly used in research providing new insights into the pathophysiology of the atheromatic plaque and of the vascular response to stenting, however, it seems that there is potential for clinical application of OCT in various fields, such as pre-interventional evaluation of coronary arteries, procedural guidance in coronary interventions, and follow-up assessment of vascular healing after stent implantation. This review will focus on the potential and advantages of OCT in the clinical practice of a catheterization laboratory.

Online 3-dimensional rendering of optical coherence tomography images for the assessment of bifurcation intervention

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography rendering has been suggested as a method providing additive information for the assessment of the result of percutaneous coronary intervention. However, rendering of such models is very time-consuming and cannot be performed online during the intervention. We present a case in which a new method for 3-dimensional rendering of optical coherence tomography images helped visualize the stent-vessel wall interaction, providing useful information that discouraged further intervention.