Coronary segments exposed to low endothelial shear stress (<1 Pa) showed a higher prevalence of lipid-rich plaques compared to those with higher shear stress (37.5% vs 20.0%; P=0.019).
Observational (n=21)
Is low endothelial shear stress associated with vulnerable coronary plaque characteristics in patients with acute coronary syndrome?
Coronary regions exposed to low endothelial shear stress are associated with vulnerable plaque characteristics, including larger lipid burden and thinner fibrous caps.
Absolute Event Rate: 37.5% vs 20%
p-value: p=0.019
BACKGROUND: Despite the exposure of the entire vasculature to the atherogenic effects of systemic risk factors, atherosclerotic plaques preferentially develop at sites with disturbed flow. This study aimed at exploring in vivo the relationship between local endothelial shear stress (ESS) and coronary plaque characteristics in humans using computational fluid dynamics and frequency-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three-dimensional coronary artery reconstruction was performed in 21 patients (24 arteries) presenting with acute coronary syndrome using frequency-domain optical coherence tomography and coronary angiography. Each coronary artery was divided into sequential 3-mm segments and analyzed for the assessment of local ESS and plaque characteristics. A total of 146 nonculprit segments were evaluated. Compared with segments with higher ESS ≥1 Pascal (Pa), those with low ESS (<1 Pa) showed higher prevalence of lipid-rich plaques (37.5% versus 20.0%; P=0.019) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (12.5% versus 2.0%; P=0.037). Overall, lipid plaques in segments with low ESS had thinner fibrous cap (115 μm 63-166 versus 170 μm 107-219; P=0.004) and higher macrophage density (normalized standard deviation: 8.4% 4.8-12.6 versus 6.2% 4.2-8.8; P=0.017). Segments with low ESS showed more superficial calcifications (minimum calcification depth: 93 μm 50-140 versus 152 μm 105-258; P=0.049) and tended to have higher prevalence of spotty calcifications (26.0% versus 12.0%; P=0.076). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary regions exposed to low ESS are associated with larger lipid burden, thinner fibrous cap, and higher prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma in humans. Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography-based assessment of ESS and wall characteristics may be useful in identifying vulnerable coronary regions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01110538.
Vergallo et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Acute coronary syndrome (n=21). Low endothelial shear stress (<1 Pa) vs. Higher endothelial shear stress (≥1 Pa) was evaluated on Prevalence of lipid-rich plaques (p=0.019). Coronary segments exposed to low endothelial shear stress (<1 Pa) showed a higher prevalence of lipid-rich plaques compared to those with higher shear stress (37.5% vs 20.0%; P=0.019).