Relationship Between Calcified Plaque Burden, Vascular Inflammation, and Plaque Vulnerability in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Background: Coronary artery calcification is an integral part of atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that early coronary artery calcification is associated with active inflammation, and advanced calcification forms as inflammation subsides. Inflammation is also an important factor in plaque vulnerability.

Computed Tomography Angiography Characteristics of Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma in Patients With Diabetes.

Background: It was recently reported that thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) detected by optical coherence tomography was an independent predictor of future cardiac events in patients with diabetes. However, the clinical usefulness of this finding is limited by the invasive nature of optical coherence tomography. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) characteristics of TCFA have not been systematically studied.

Coronary plaque phenotype associated with positive remodeling.

Background: Positive remodeling is an integral part of the vascular adaptation process during the development of atherosclerosis, which can be detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Methods: A total of 426 patients who underwent both coronary CTA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were included. Four machine learning (ML) models, gradient boosting machine (GBM), random forest (RF), deep learning (DL), and support vector machine (SVM), were employed to detect specific plaque features.

Layered plaque is associated with high levels of vascular inflammation and vulnerability in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Layered plaque, a signature of previous plaque destabilization and healing, is a known predictor for rapid plaque progression; however, the mechanism of which is unknown. The aim of the current study was to compare the level of vascular inflammation and plaque vulnerability in layered plaques to investigate possible mechanisms of rapid plaque progression. This is a retrospective, observational, single-center cohort study.

Sex-Specific Association Between Perivascular Inflammation and Plaque Vulnerability.

Background: It is not known whether there is a sex difference in the association between perivascular inflammation and plaque vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-specific association between perivascular inflammation and plaque vulnerability.

Methods: Patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography and optical coherence tomography were enrolled.

Proteomics associated with coronary high-risk plaques by optical coherence tomography.

Biomarkers are widely used for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular disease. However, markers for coronary high-risk plaques have not been identified. The aim of this study was to identify proteins specific to coronary high-risk plaques.

Higher Noncalcified Plaque Volume Is Associated With Increased Plaque Vulnerability and Vascular Inflammation.

Background: Recently, it was reported that noncalcified plaque (NCP) volume was an independent predictor for cardiac events. Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation is a marker of vascular inflammation and has been associated with increased cardiac mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between NCP volume, plaque vulnerability, and PCAT attenuation.

Protruding Aortic Plaque and Coronary Plaque Vulnerability.

Background: Protruding aortic plaque is known to be associated with an increased risk for future cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the relationship between protruding aortic plaque and coronary plaque characteristics has not been systematically investigated.

Methods And Results: A total of 615 patients who underwent computed tomography angiography, and preintervention optical coherence tomography imaging were included.

A novel deep learning model for a computed tomography diagnosis of coronary plaque erosion.

Patients with acute coronary syndromes caused by plaque erosion might be managed conservatively without stenting. Currently, the diagnosis of plaque erosion requires an invasive imaging procedure. We sought to develop a deep learning (DL) model that enables an accurate diagnosis of plaque erosion using coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Coronary artery disease reporting and data system (CAD-RADS), vascular inflammation and plaque vulnerability.

Background: Coronary artery disease reporting and data system (CAD-RADS) predicts future cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, information on vascular inflammation and vulnerability remains scarce.

Methods: Patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) prior to coronary intervention were enrolled.

High-Risk Plaques on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: Correlation With Optical Coherence Tomography.

Background: Although patients with high-risk plaque (HRP) on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) are reportedly at increased risk for future cardiovascular events, individual HRP features have not been systematically validated against high-resolution intravascular imaging.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to correlate HRP features on CTA with plaque characteristics on optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Patients who underwent both CTA and OCT before coronary intervention were enrolled.

Sex Differences in Coronary Atherosclerotic Phenotype and Healing Pattern on Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging.

Background: Layered plaque, a signature of previous plaque disruption, is a known predictor of rapid plaque progression. Layered plaque can be identified in vivo by optical coherence tomography. Studies have reported differences in plaque burden between women and men, but sex differences in the pattern of layered plaque are unknown.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Findings of Plaque Erosion.

Compared with plaque rupture, plaque erosion has distinct features, which can be diagnosed only by intravascular optical coherence tomography. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) features of plaque erosion have not been reported. The aim of the present study was to identify the CTA features specific for plaque erosion in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes to enable a diagnosis of erosion without invasive procedures.

Layered plaque and plaque volume in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Layered plaque is a signature of previous subclinical plaque destabilization and healing. Following plaque disruption, thrombus becomes organized, resulting in creation of a new layer, which might contribute to rapid step-wise progression of the plaque. However, the relationship between layered plaque and plaque volume has not been fully elucidated.

Coronary Inflammation and Plaque Vulnerability: A Coronary Computed Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Background: Vascular inflammation plays a key role in atherogenesis and in the development of acute coronary syndromes. Coronary inflammation can be measured by peri-coronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation on computed tomography angiography. We examined the relationships between the level of coronary artery inflammation assessed by PCAT attenuation and coronary plaque characteristics by optical coherence tomography.

Biomarkers associated with coronary high-risk plaques.

Vascular inflammation, lipid metabolism, and thrombogenicity play a key role not only in atherogenesis but also in the development of acute coronary syndromes. Biomarkers associated with coronary high-risk plaques defined according to intravascular imaging have not been systematically studied. A total of 69 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent both optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound imaging, and who provided blood specimens were included.

Gut Microbiota and Coronary Plaque Characteristics.

Background The relationship between gut microbiota and in vivo coronary plaque characteristics has not been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and coronary plaque characteristics in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods and Results Patients who underwent both optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound imaging and provided stool and blood specimens were included.

Prognostic relevance of B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with moderate mixed aortic valve disease.

Aims: Data on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and adverse outcomes in patients with moderate mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD), defined as moderate aortic stenosis (AS) and regurgitation (AR), are scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of BNP on the clinical outcomes in such patients.

Methods And Results: Clinical data from 81 patients (mean age, 74.

Pathological assessment of very late bare metal stent thrombosis in the left main coronary artery: a case report.

Background: Late catch-up phenomenon following stent implantation is a well-known complication. However, no report has evaluated thrombosis after 9 years with multi-modality and pathological evaluation.

Case Summary: A 71-year-old man with stable angina underwent elective percutaneous intervention of the left main coronary artery with implantation of a bare metal stent (BMS) 9 years ago.

The Impact of Aortic Valvular Calcium on Transcatheter Heart Valve Distortion.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the eccentric calcification of aortic valve and transcatheter heart valve (THV) distortion and the impact of THV distortion on echo parameters and clinical outcomes.

Background: The effects of eccentric calcification of the aortic valve on the THV distortion and the relationship between THV distortion and clinical impact were not fully understood.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who were undergoing THV implantation were enrolled.