Low eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratio is associated with thin-cap fibroatheroma determined by optical coherence tomography. Issue 6 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wakabayashi, Yasushi; Funayama, Hiroshi; Ugata, Yusuke; Taniguchi, Yosuke; Hoshino, Hirotaka; Ako, Junya; Momomura, Shin-ichi
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiology. Volume 66:Issue 6(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 482
• Page End: 488
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Eicosapentaenoic acid -- Optical coherence tomography -- Thin-cap fibroatheroma; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2015.01.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0914-5087

Abstract

Abstract: Background: A low eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio is known to be associated with cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between the EPA/AA ratio and coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) has not been examined thoroughly. This study examined the relationship between the EPA/AA ratio and coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by OCT in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: We evaluated 59 ACS patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention using OCT. We divided them into 2 groups according to OCT findings—those with and without thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA)—and compared the EPA/AA ratio between the groups. Results: We identified 32 and 27 patients with and without TCFA, respectively. The EPA/AA ratio was significantly lower in patients with TCFA than in those without TCFA [0.35, interquartile range (0.21–0.44) vs. 0.54, interquartile range (0.42–0.70); p < 0.001]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the EPA/AA ratio was an independent predictor of TCFA (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.007–0.99; p = 0.049). The EPA/AA ratio and fibrous cap thickness showed a significant positive correlation (Spearman ρ = 0.46; p < 0.001). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that an EPA/AA ratio < 0.46 could predict TCFA (81.3%, sensitivity; 74.1%, specificity). Conclusions: A low serum EPA/AA ratio is significantly associated with coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by OCT in ACS patients.