Longitudinal structural determinants of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability: a computational analysis of stress distribution using vessel models and three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound imaging.

Objectives: This study theoretically examined the longitudinal structural determinants of plaque vulnerability using a color-coded stress mapping technique for several hypothetical vessel models as well as three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with use of a finite element analysis.

Background: It has been shown that an excessive concentration of stress is related to atherosclerotic plaque rupture. However, the local determinants of in-plaque longitudinal stress distribution along the coronary arterial wall remain unclear.

Detection of lipid-laden atherosclerotic plaque by wavelet analysis of radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound signals: in vitro validation and preliminary in vivo application.

Objectives: This study examined the feasibility of using a wavelet analysis of radiofrequency (RF) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) signals in detecting lipid-laden plaque.

Background: Wavelet analysis is a new mathematical model for assessing local changes in a geometrical profile of time-series signals.

Methods: Radiofrequency IVUS signals of 85 arbitrarily selected vectors were acquired from 27 formalin-fixed noncalcified atherosclerotic plaques from human necropsy with a digitizer at 500 MHz with 8-bit resolution by use of a 40-MHz IVUS catheter.

Treatment of acute inflammatory cardiomyopathy with intravenous immunoglobulin ameliorates left ventricular function associated with suppression of inflammatory cytokines and decreased oxidative stress.

Although an autoimmune mechanism has been postulated for myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, immunosuppressive agents had not been shown to be effective. Potential benefits of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in the therapy of patients with myocarditis and recent onset of dilated cardiomyopathy were reported. Also, experimental studies showed that IVIg is an effective therapy for viral myocarditis by antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Impact of the cross-sectional geometry of the post-deployment coronary stent on in-stent neointimal hyperplasia: an intravascular ultrasound study.

To establish the relationship between the cross-sectional geometry of the post-deployment stent and the degree of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia (INH), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to examine cross-sections of the coronary arteries from 23 patients with coronary stents 6 months after implantation. Stent cross-sectional area (Sa) and stent perimeter (Sp) from 200 stent cross-sections, and the stent radius (Sr) and thickness of INH (Id) of 2,880 radial axes, were measured, and the mean degree of roundness (Rd) of stent cross-section was calculated for each stent as Rd=4piSa/Sp2. The degree of deformity (Df) of the stent cross-section was also calculated by comparing it with a hypothetical circle (the area of this hypothetical circle was equal to the Sa): Df=Sr/R, where R is the radius of the hypothetical circle.