Abstract
Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a significant residual risk remains despite management of conventional risk factors. Purpose The purpose of the present study was to assess the association of triglycerides and high-risk plaque progression in patients with asymptomatic T2D without known CAD. Methods Asymptomatic patients with T2D and no history of CAD were studied with serial computed tomography angiography with an inter-scan interval of 13 ± 0.8 months. The total atheroma volume (TAV), and plaque composition (dense calcium, fibrous, fibrous-fatty, and necrotic core plaque) were assessed at baseline and at follow-up. Lipid status was assessed at baseline and after a one-year follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups depending on progression in triglyceride (TG) levels (TG+) and regression of TG levels (TG-). Results Of the 261 patients who were enrolled, 209 patients (157 men and 52 women) were included in the final analysis. Based on changes in TG levels, 107 patients were categorized as (TG+) and 102 patients were categorized as (TG-). The mean age was 62 ± 10 years, and the mean diabetes duration was 11 ± 8 years. At baseline, 76 % of the patients received lipid-lowering treatment, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was 2.0 ± 0.8 mmol/L. A significantly higher progression of TAV was observed in patients with TG+ compared to TG- (50.2 ± 144.3 vs. -28.5 ± 176.9 mm3, P<0.001). This observation was primarily driven by an increase of fibrous fatty plaque (8.6 ± 41.2 vs. -12.8 ± 39.2 mm3, P<0.001) and necrotic core plaque (-3.9 ± 51.4 vs. -23.7 ± 71.8 mm3, P=0.002). Furthermore, an increase in TG levels predicted rapid plaque progression independent of LDL and other risk factors (OR 1.36, 95% CI; 1.02 – 1.81, P=0.04). Conclusion Changes in TG levels are associated with the progression of total and high-risk plaque volumes in asymptomatic patients with T2D and well-controlled LDL cholesterol.Low attenuation plaque vs. triglycerides
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