title: Volumetric quantitative analysis of tissue characteristics of coronary plaques after statin therapy using three-dimensional integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was twofold: 1) to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) integrated backscatter (IB) intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for quantitative tissue characterization of coronary plaques; and 2) to use this imaging technique to determine if six months of statin therapy alters the tissue characteristics of coronary plaques.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Three-dimensional IVUS techniques for quantitative tissue characterization of plaque composition have not been developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiofrequency (RF) signals were obtained using an IVUS system with a 40-MHz catheter. The IB values of the RF signal were calculated and color-coded. The 3D reconstruction of the color-coded map was performed by computer software. A total of 18 IB IVUS images were captured at an interval of 1 mm in each plaque. A total of 52 patients with hyperlipidemia were randomized to treatment with pravastatin (20 mg/day, n = 17), atorvastatin (20 mg/day, n = 18), or diet (n = 17) for six months. The tissue characteristics of arterial plaque in each patient (one arterial segment per patient) were analyzed with 3D IB IVUS before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increases of fibrous volume (pravastatin: 25.4 +/- 6.5% to 28.1 +/- 6.1%; atorvastatin: 26.2 +/- 5.7% to 30.1 +/- 5.5%) and mixed lesion volume (atorvastatin: 25.5 +/- 6.6% to 28.7 +/- 5.1%) and a reduction of lipid volume (pravastatin: 25.5 +/- 5.7% to 21.9 +/- 5.3%; atorvastatin: 26.5 +/- 5.2% to 19.9 +/- 5.5%) were observed after statin therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statin therapy reduced the lipid component in patients with stable angina without reducing the degree of stenosis. Three-dimensional IB IVUS offers the potential for quantitative volumetric tissue characterization of coronary atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Regeneration and Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan. masanori@ya2.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Munenori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okubo
authors.forename: Haruko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Ichijiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minatoguchi
authors.forename: Xiangrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Hisayoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin