title: Association of high-density lipoprotein levels and carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailed information on carotid atherosclerotic plaque size and composition. The purpose of this study was to correlate HDL levels with carotid plaque burden and composition by MRI. Thirty-four patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving simvastatin plus niacin or placebo for both drugs for three years were randomly selected to undergo MRI of carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaque wall volumes (WVs) and plaque components including lipid rich/necrotic core (LR/NC), calcium, fibrous tissue, and loose matrix were measured. Mean WV or atherosclerotic burden was significantly associated with total HDL-C levels (r = -0.39, P = 0.02), HDL(2) (r = -0.36, P = 0.03), HDL(3) (r = -0.34, P = 0.04), and LDL/HDL ratio (r = 0.42, P = 0.02). Plaque lipid composition or LR/NC was significantly associated with HDL(3) (r = -0.68, P = 0.02). Patients with low HDL levels (<or=35 mg/dL) had increased WV (97 +/- 23 vs. 81 +/- 19 mm(3), P = 0.05) compared with patients with HDL levels > 35 mg/dL. Among CAD patients, low HDL-C levels were significantly associated with increased carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden and lipid content by MRI.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1914 N 34th Street, Suite 105, Seattle, WA, 98103-8771, USA. bapp@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Binh An P
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Baocheng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Nayak
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Polissar
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hatsukami
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xue-Qiao
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D009525:Niacin; D019821:Simvastatin