Saudi Coronary Athero-Thrombotic Disease (SAUDICAT): Intra-vascular ultra-sound study of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome design and preliminary results

Abstract

Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis is reaching epidemic levels. The extent of Coronary Athero-Thrombosis (CAT) is yet to be studied. We present the design and preliminary results of IVUS project intended for centres with IVUS capabilities in Saudi Arabia. We aim at gathering clinical and quantitative IVUS data. 60 pts. IVUS studies at Prince Salman Heart Center (PSHC), King Fahad Medical City reviewed. 40 of 105 runs analysed for Borderline Lesions 35 pts. Pre-Runs (PR), 67 runs 25 pts. post stenting (PS). Initial analysis done at IVUS Core-Lab Odense University Hospital Odense–Denmark, now available at PSHC. Each 1 mm slice, had separate Luminal and External Elastic Membrane (EEM) tracings, obtained 5 mm Proximal and Distal to maximal Plaque Burden. 35 pts. (28 males, mean age 54 ± 18). 27 pts. (77%) Diabetics. Forty IVUS borderline lesions runs analysed. 12 pts. (34.29%) with recent ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), 8 (22.86%) Non-STEMI (NSTEMI), and 15 (42.85%) Unstable Angina (UA). Non-Diabetics had larger Luminal, Vessel Diameters, and Plaque Areas (P value: 0.048, 0.008 , 0.0088, 0.020), Diabetics with NSTEMI had larger Plaque Areas and Burden (P value: 0.0003, 0.0033). Vessels volumes non-significantly different. SAUDICAT, is the first national quantitative IVUS study of CAT of Saudi pts. with ACS. Non diabetics had larger vessels, diabetics with STEMI, and NSTEMI had larger plaque areas and burdens. We believe with the completion of this project, a Core-Lab for IVUS studies can be established in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.