[Characterization of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with unstable angina pectoris and stable angina pectoris by optical coherence tomography].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).


METHODS
OCT was performed in 47 patients (23 UAP and 24 SAP) undergoing coronary angiography. Lipid-rich plaque (defined by > or = 2 quadrants of the cross-section area), thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), thickness of fibrous cap, plaque rupture, calcification and thrombus visualized by OCT were compared between UAP and SAP patients.


RESULTS
OCT imaging was successfully in 44 out of 47 patients (22 UAP, 22 SAP). Proportion of lipid-rich plaques was similar between UAP and SAP groups [91% (20/22) vs. 73% (16/22), P = 0.741]. The minimum thickness of fibrous cap in the UAP group was significantly thinner than that in SAP group [(69.5 +/- 34.7) microm vs. (141.1 +/- 68.5) microm, P = 0.000] and the rate of fibrous cap erosion in the UAP group was significantly higher than that in the SAP group [59% (13/22) vs. 9% (2/22), P = 0.000]. Percents of TCFA [73% (16/22) vs. 14% (3/22), P = 0.000] and plaque rupture [50% (11/22) vs. 9% (2/22), P = 0.003] were significantly higher in UAP group compared those in SAP group. Incidence of thrombus and calcification were similar between two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
OCT imaging can clearly define plaque characterization of coronary atherosclerosis. UAP patients have thinner fibrous cap, higher incidences of fibrous cap erosion, plaque rupture and TCFA compared patients with SAP.
Chen
Bu-xing
BX
Department of Cardiology, Beijing Electric Power Hospital, Beijing, China.
Ma
Feng-yun
FY
Luo
Wei
W
Ruan
Jian-hong
JH
Zhao
Xi-zhe
XZ
Xie
Wen-li
WL
Sun
Shu-hong
SH
Guo
Xu-mei
XM
Wang
Feng
F
Tian
Ting
T
Chu
Xiao-wen
XW
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence