title: Coronary artery calcification revisited.
abstract: Calcification is a common finding in human coronary arteries. However, there is conflicting evidence for a link between calcification and plaque instability. Current intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technology allows a definitive detection of the calcification and measurement of the vessel wall. Using preinterventional IVUS images, we clarified that in patients with acute myocardial infarction, small "spotty" calcifications prevailed, associated with a fibrofatty plaque and positive remodeling. Conversely, in patients with stable angina pectoris, extensive calcification was frequent. IVUS allows the detection of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries, by identifying not only a large lipid core and positive remodeling, but also a spotty pattern of calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. ehara@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shoichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ehara
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshiyama
authors.forename: Makiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D019160:Endosonography; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium