Relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerotic disease burden measured by intravascular ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between established cardiovascular risk factors and the extent of coronary atherosclerotic plaque.


BACKGROUND
Few data exist correlating cardiovascular risk factors with volumetric measurements of coronary atheroma burden in patients with coronary artery disease.


METHODS
Clinical characteristics, quantitative coronary angiography, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were evaluated in subjects enrolled in a study comparing atorvastatin and pravastatin. Plaque areas were measured at 1-mm intervals to compute atheroma volume. The percent of cross sections with an abnormal intimal thickness (>0.5 mm) was determined. Data on cardiovascular risk factors were collected.


RESULTS
In 654 subjects, atheroma volume averaged 174.5 mm3 and percent atheroma volume 38.9%. Atherosclerosis was present in 81.2% of 25,897 cross sections. In univariate analysis, there was a strong association between diabetes, male gender, and a history of either prior revascularization or stroke with percent atheroma volume. Hypertension or prior myocardial infarction was also predictive of more severe disease. Low-density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein were not significant predictors of greater disease burden. In multivariate analysis, diabetes, male gender, and a history of a prior interventional procedure remained strong predictors of increased atheroma volume. History of stroke, non-Caucasian race, and smoking status remained significant. Although multiple measures of IVUS disease burden were worse in subjects with diabetes, angiographic stenosis severity was not different.


CONCLUSIONS
Male gender, diabetes, and a history of prior revascularization are strong independent predictors of atherosclerotic burden in coronary disease patients. Many risk factors did not predict angiographic disease severity, suggesting different mechanisms drive stenosis development and atheroma accumulation.
Nicholls
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Tuzcu
E Murat
EM
Crowe
Tim
T
Sipahi
Ilke
I
Schoenhagen
Paul
P
Kapadia
Samir
S
Hazen
Stanley L
SL
Wun
Chuan-Chuan
CC
Norton
Michele
M
Ntanios
Fady
F
Nissen
Steven E
SE
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents