Geographical predisposition influences on the distribution and tissue characterisation of eccentric coronary plaques in non-branching coronary arteries: cross-sectional study of coronary plaques analysed by intravascular ultrasound. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Komiyama, Hidenori; Takano, Hitoshi; Nakamura, Shunichi; Takano, Masamichi; Hata, Noritake; Yasushi, Miyauchi; Seino, Yoshihiko; Mizuno, Kyoichi; Shimizu, Wataru
• Is Part Of: Cardiovascular ultrasound. Volume 14:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis -- Plaque distribution -- Virtual histology -- Vulnerable plaque; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; Intravascular ultrasonography -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.1207543
• DOI: 10.1186/s12947-016-0090-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7120

Abstract

Abstract Background We investigated the influence of geographical predisposition on the spatial distribution and composition of coronary plaques. Methods Thirty coronary arteries were evaluated. A total of 1441 cross-sections were collected from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and radio-frequency signal-based virtual histology (VH-IVUS) imaging. To exclude complex geographical effects of side branches and to localise the plaque distribution, we analysed only eccentric plaques in non-branching regions. The spatial distribution of eccentric plaques in the coronary artery was classified into myocardial, lateral, and epicardial regions. The composition of eccentric plaques was analysed using VH-IVUS. Results The plaque was concentric in 723 sections (50.2%) and eccentric in 718 (49.9%). Eccentric plaques were more frequently distributed towards the myocardial side than towards the epicardial side (46.7 ± 7.5% vs. 12.5 ± 4.2%, p = 0.003). No significant difference was observed between the myocardial and lateral sides (46.7 ± 7.5% vs. 20.8 ± 5.0%) or between the lateral and epicardial sides. Eccentric thin-capped fibroatheromas were more frequently distributed towards the myocardial side than towards the lateral side (p = 0.024) or epicardial side (p = 0.005). Conclusion Geographical predisposition is associated with distribution, tissue characterisation, and vulnerability of plaques in non-branching coronary arteries.