Volumetric analysis of coronary plaque characterization in patients with metabolic syndrome using 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography.
BACKGROUND
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and mortality, where acute coronary syndrome significantly impacts on mortality and morbidity. In contrast, evidences have accumulated that the lipid-rich plaque might play a critical role in acute coronary syndrome.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 94 patients with suspected angina pectoris who underwent multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). Of those, we identified 41 with MetS. In MDCT analysis, low-density plaque volume (LDPV) (42 ± 28 vs 24 ± 18 mm(3), P=0.0003), moderate-density plaque volume (105 ± 41 vs 82 ± 33 mm(3), P=0.003), total plaque volume (164 ± 70 vs 118 ± 59 mm(3), P=0.0008) and %LDPV (24.2 ± 10.0 vs 18.3 ± 7.1%, P=0.01) were significantly increased in the MetS group compared to the non-MetS group. Multivariate linear regression analysis after adjusting for confounding variables revealed that MetS was significantly correlated with an increase in %LDPV (β=0.48, P=0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis for lipid-rich plaque after adjusting for confounding variables indicated that MetS was significantly associated with lipid-rich plaque (odds ratio: 5.99, 95% confidence intervals: 1.94-18.6, P=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with MetS were strongly related to having a lipid-rich composition in their coronary plaque, as detected by MDCT.
Arai
Kosuke
K
Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
Ishii
Hideki
H
Amano
Tetsuya
T
Uetani
Tadayuki
T
Nanki
Michio
M
Marui
Nobuyuki
N
Kato
Masataka
M
Yokoi
Kiminobu
K
Ando
Hirohiko
H
Kumagai
Soichiro
S
Harada
Ken
K
Yoshikawa
Daiji
D
Ohshima
Satoru
S
Matsubara
Tatsuaki
T
Murohara
Toyoaki
T
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris; D044466:Asian People; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D008055:Lipids