Serial coronary CT angiography-verified changes in plaque characteristics as an end point: evaluation of effect of statin intervention.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to assess, by serial computed tomography angiography (CTA), the effect of statin treatment on coronary plaque morphology.


BACKGROUND
In addition to the assessment of luminal stenosis, CTA also allows characterization of plaque morphology. Large, positively remodeled plaques with large necrotic cores have been reported as indicators of plaque instability.


METHODS
CTA was performed in 32 patients (26 men, ages 64.3 +/- 8.5 years). Of these, 24 received fluvastatin after the baseline study; 8 subjects who refused statin treatment were followed as the control subjects. Serial imaging was performed after a median interval of 12 months. All vessels were examined in every subject, and a 10-mm-long segment was identified for comparison before and after intervention. Total plaque volume, low attenuation plaque (LAP) volume, lumen volume, and remodeling index were calculated.


RESULTS
In the statin-treated patients, the total plaque volume (92.3 +/- 37.7 vs. 76.4 +/- 26.5 mm(3), p < 0.01) and LAP volume (4.9 +/- 7.8 vs. 1.3 +/- 2.3 mm(3), p = 0.01) were significantly reduced over time; however, there was no change in the lumen volume (63.9 +/- 25.3 vs. 65.2 +/- 26.2 mm(3), p = 0.59). On the other hand, no change was observed in the CTA characteristics in the control subjects, including total plaque volume (94.4 +/- 21.2 vs. 98.4 +/- 28.6 mm(3), p = 0.48), LAP volume (2.1 +/- 3.0 vs. 2.3 +/- 3.6 mm(3), p = 0.91), and lumen volume (80.5 +/- 20.7 vs. 75.0 +/- 16.3 mm(3), p = 0.26). The plaque volume change (-15.9 +/- 22.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 14.0 mm(3), p = 0.01) and LAP volume change (-3.7 +/- 7.0 vs. 0.2 +/- 1.5 mm(3), p < 0.01) were significantly greater in the statin than the control group. The lumen volume (1.3 +/- 15.6 vs. -5.5 +/- 13.1 mm(3), p = 0.24) and remodeling index (-2.4 +/- 6.8% vs. -0.3 +/- 6.5%, p = 0.53) did not show the significant differences between the 2 groups. The decrease in the plaque volume was due to reduction in the LAP volume (R = 0.83, p < 0.01), and was not related to any changes in the lumen volume (R = 0.21, p = 0.24).


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study suggests that serial CTA evaluation of coronary plaques allows for the assessment of interval change in the plaque morphology. Statin treatment results in decreases in the plaque and necrotic core volume. The features known to be associated with plaque instability.
Inoue
Kaori
K
Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.
Motoyama
Sadako
S
Sarai
Masayoshi
M
Sato
Takahisa
T
Harigaya
Hiroto
H
Hara
Tomonori
T
Sanda
Yoshihiro
Y
Anno
Hirofumi
H
Kondo
Takeshi
T
Wong
Nathan D
ND
Narula
Jagat
J
Ozaki
Yukio
Y
D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D000077340:Fluvastatin