title: Usefulness of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound to predict distal embolization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to predict the high-risk plaque of distal embolization after stent deployment in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with Virtual Histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) (Volcano Therapeutics, Inc., Rancho Cordova, California).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) carries a poor prognosis in patients with STEMI. However, it is unclear which plaque characteristics cause distal embolization after stent deployment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 71 patients with STEMI were included prospectively. All patients underwent primary PCI within 12 h of symptom onset. After crossing the lesion with a guidewire and performing thrombectomy with an aspiration catheter, VH-IVUS of the infarct-related vessel was performed. Stent deployment was then undertaken without embolic protection. ST-segment re-elevation (STR) was used to evaluate distal embolization. Correlations among plaque characteristics, morphology, and distal embolization were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The STR after stent deployment was observed in 11 patients (STR group, 15.5%). Necrotic core volume was significantly higher in the STR group than in the non-STR group (32.9 +/- 14.1 mm3 vs. 20.4 +/- 19.1 mm3, p < 0.05). Total plaque volume was similar in both groups. On receiver-operating characteristic analysis, necrotic core volume clearly predicted STR after stent deployment as compared with fibrous, fibro-lipid, dense calcium, and total plaque volumes. The necrotic core volume that was best predictive for STR was 33.4 mm3, with a sensitivity of 81.7% and a specificity of 63.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Virtual Histology IVUS is a useful means of predicting the risk of distal embolization after primary stent deployment in patients with STEMI.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Gunma Prefectural Cardiovascular Center, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan. kawaguchi.r@cvc.pref.gunma.jp
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jingu
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsurugaya
authors.forename: Takuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toyama
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoshizaki
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012372:ROC Curve; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*