Atherosclerotic reference segments influence assessment of coronary remodeling by intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of atherosclerotic reference segments on coronary remodeling by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS). Methods One hundred and three consecutively enrolled patients [male 68 cases,female 35 cases,average age (60 ±11) years] with ACS were undergone by coronary artery angiography and IVUS with time selecting operation. The remodeling index(RI) was defined as lesion external elastic membrane cross section aere (EEM CSA) divided by the mean reference EEM CSA at the culprit vessel. Positive remodeling was RI≥ (67 cases), negative remodeling was RI <1(36 cases). The parameters of plaque were analysed between two remodeling groups, as well as compared between distal and proximal references. Results Only one patients do not have plaque at reference sites. In the analysis of 103 lesions and 102 reference sites, there were not significant different in plaque burden,plaque CSA,lumen CSA and lesion EEM CSA between two groups. Distal plaque burden[(39. 76 ±12. 54)% vs (32.38 ± 13.97)%, P <0.001] and plaque CSA [(6.14 ± 3.20)mm2 vs (4. 75 ± 3. 07) mm2, P = 0. 001] were larger than those at proximal reference. EEM CSA at distal reference was smaller than proximal one[(14. 99 ± 4. 12)mm2 vs (28. 37 ± 4. 48)mm2 , P <0. 001]. Plaque burden, plaque CSA and lumen CSA persented positive corelation between distal and proximal reference sites. Conclusions The reference segments lay a severe diffuse atherosclerosis in the group of ACS, which may influence assessment of coronary remodeling. Coronary remodeling as a process, a accurate evaluation could be result from the combination of static and serial approach by IVUS. Key words: Endosonography; Coronary disease; Ventricular remodeling; Acute coronary syndrome