title: Frequency-domain optical coherence tomographic analysis of plaque microstructures at nonculprit narrowings in patients receiving potent statin therapy.
abstract: Potent statin therapy has been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular events. Although statins have been considered to stabilize atherosclerotic plaque, this effect has not been well characterized in vivo. We investigated the relation between potent statin therapy and plaque microstructures imaged by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography. Two hundred ninety nonculprit lipid plaques in 275 patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving atorvastatin or rosuvastatin were analyzed. Patients were stratified into no statin, low-, and high-dose statin groups. Plaques in the high-dose statin group demonstrated a smaller lipid arc (p = 0.02) and a greater fibrous cap thickness (p = 0.01). In patients receiving statin therapy, high-dose statin therapy was associated with a greater fibrous cap thickness in patients with smaller (148.2 ± 30.5 vs 105.3 ± 41.1 μm, p = 0.004) but not larger lipid index (91.1 ± 32.6 vs 78.1 ± 43.3 μm, p = 0.21). In conclusion, potent statin therapy is associated with less vulnerable plaque features on frequency-domain optical coherence tomography imaging. This finding varies according to the size of plaque lipid content, being less effective in lipid-loaded plaques.
authors.affiliation: Heart Health, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: jimmyk67@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammadah
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Bhanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Duggal
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Kiyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uno
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Samir R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kapadia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: E Murat
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tuzcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.affiliation: Heart Health, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids