The atherosclerotic lesions from 4 major epicardial coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary arteries) of 23 nonagenarians patients were compared with that from 23 pat...The atherosclerotic lesions from 4 major epicardial coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary arteries) of 23 nonagenarians patients were compared with that from 23 patients aged 60?9. The arteries were cut into transversely 5 mm long segments and were examined by microscope. The inside circumferences of the lumen were measured by computerized morphometric analysis. The results showed that the numbers of atherosclerotic plaques, percentages of narrowing of the coronary arterial lumen and circumferences of the arterial lumen in both groups were similar. But there were much more fibrous and resting (silent) or regressive plaques in the group aged 90-99 years as well as less lipid and active or progressive plaques than those in the group of 60-69 years. The above morphological findings may be correlated with the fact that there was a similar incidence of coronary heart disease but a less risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients aged 90?9 years than those aged 60?9 years.展开更多
Objective: To explore the relationship and clinical value of serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), d-dimers, and serum galectin-3 (galectin-3) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in coronary artery patients with coron...Objective: To explore the relationship and clinical value of serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), d-dimers, and serum galectin-3 (galectin-3) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in coronary artery patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 248 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in our hospital from June 2017 to September 2018 were selected and divided into vulnerable plaque group (89), stable plaque group (89) and control group (70) according to the examination results. The serum levels of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in three groups were compared, as well as their correlation with the detection parameters. To evaluate the clinical value of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque. Results: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 levels were significantly different from the three groups (P<0.05), and the control group < stable plaque group <vulnerable plaque group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 were significantly positively correlated with plaque area, plaque load, necrotic core and calcified tissue (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with fibrous lipid and fibrous tissue (P<0.01). ROC curve showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 had certain predictive value for vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques (AUC=0.939, 0.977, 0.920, P<0.01), and the three combinations (AUC=0.986, P<0.01) had higher predictive value. Conclusion: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 are significantly correlated with coronary atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in patients with coronary heart disease, with high sensitivity and specificity, which can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of early atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.展开更多
BACKGROUND Discontinued application of statins may be related to adverse cardiovascular events.However,it is unclear whether different statins administration methods have effects on coronary artery plaques.AIM To eval...BACKGROUND Discontinued application of statins may be related to adverse cardiovascular events.However,it is unclear whether different statins administration methods have effects on coronary artery plaques.AIM To evaluate the effects of different statins application methods on plaques in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.METHODS A total of 100 patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic plaque by coronary artery computed tomography were continuously selected and divided into three groups according to different statins administration methods(discontinued application group,n=32;intermittent application group,n=39;sustained application group,n=29).The effects of the different statins application methods on coronary atherosclerotic plaque were assessed.RESULTS The volume change and rate of change of the most severe plaques were significantly reduced in the sustained application group(P≤0.001).The volume change of the most severe plaques correlated positively with low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C)levels only in the sustained application group(R=0.362,P=0.013).There were no changes in plaques or LDL-C levels in the intermittent and discontinued application groups.CONCLUSION Continuous application of statins is effective for controlling plaque progression,whereas discontinued or intermittent administration of statins is not conducive to controlling plaques.Only with continuous statins administration can a reduction in LDL-C levels result in plaque volume shrinkage.展开更多
Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality. Presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery is responsible for lu-men stenosis which is often used as an indicator for determining the severit...Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality. Presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery is responsible for lu-men stenosis which is often used as an indicator for determining the severity of coronary artery disease. However, the degree of coronary lumen stenosis is not often related to compromising myocardial blood flow, as most of the cardiac events that are caused by atherosclerotic plaques are the result of vulnerable plaques which are prone to rupture. Thus, identification of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries has become increas-ingly important to assist identify patients with high cardiovascular risks. Molecular imaging with use of positron emission tomography （PET） and single photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） has fulfilled this goal by providing functional information about plaque activity which enables accurate assessment of plaque stability. This review article provides an overview of diagnostic applications of molecular imaging tech-niques in the detection of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT. New radiopharmaceuticals used in the molecular imaging of coro-nary plaques and diagnostic applications of integrated PET/CT and PET/MRI in coronary plaques are also discussed.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the predictive value of atherosclerotic aortic plaques in coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods In 50 patients with suspected coronary artery disease, transesophageal echocardiography was perfor...Objective To evaluate the predictive value of atherosclerotic aortic plaques in coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods In 50 patients with suspected coronary artery disease, transesophageal echocardiography was performed to examine their thoracic aortas 2 weeks before or after coronary angiography. In the cases of coronary angiography studied, stenosis of the coronary artery ≥50%was considered to be due to coronary artery disease, whereas the thickness of the intima ≥1.3 mm was taken to be the criteria for the presence of an atherosclerotic aortic plaque on the transesophageal echocardiographic test. Results Among the 50 patients, 37 cases were diagnosed as CAD and 13 cases were considered to be normal. The plaques of the thoracic aorta were observed in 34 cases in the CAD group and 3 cases in the normal group. The sensitivity and specificity of aortic plaques for CAD were 91.9%and 76.9%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of the aortic plaques for CAD were 91.9%and 76.9%, respectively. The accuracy was 88.0%. 80 percent of the patients with single-vessel disease had thoracic aortic plaques, 92 percent of the patients with two vessel disease and 100 percent of the patients with three vessel disease had thoracic aortic plaques. There was a significant difference in the thickness of aortic intimas between the normal group and the CAD group. Conclusions Detecting atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta with transesophageal echocardiography may be of great value in predicting the presence and extent of coronary artery disease.展开更多
文摘The atherosclerotic lesions from 4 major epicardial coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary arteries) of 23 nonagenarians patients were compared with that from 23 patients aged 60?9. The arteries were cut into transversely 5 mm long segments and were examined by microscope. The inside circumferences of the lumen were measured by computerized morphometric analysis. The results showed that the numbers of atherosclerotic plaques, percentages of narrowing of the coronary arterial lumen and circumferences of the arterial lumen in both groups were similar. But there were much more fibrous and resting (silent) or regressive plaques in the group aged 90-99 years as well as less lipid and active or progressive plaques than those in the group of 60-69 years. The above morphological findings may be correlated with the fact that there was a similar incidence of coronary heart disease but a less risk of acute myocardial infarction in patients aged 90?9 years than those aged 60?9 years.
文摘Objective: To explore the relationship and clinical value of serum phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), d-dimers, and serum galectin-3 (galectin-3) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in coronary artery patients with coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 248 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in our hospital from June 2017 to September 2018 were selected and divided into vulnerable plaque group (89), stable plaque group (89) and control group (70) according to the examination results. The serum levels of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in three groups were compared, as well as their correlation with the detection parameters. To evaluate the clinical value of Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) with atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque. Results: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 levels were significantly different from the three groups (P<0.05), and the control group < stable plaque group <vulnerable plaque group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 were significantly positively correlated with plaque area, plaque load, necrotic core and calcified tissue (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with fibrous lipid and fibrous tissue (P<0.01). ROC curve showed that Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 had certain predictive value for vulnerable coronary atherosclerotic plaques (AUC=0.939, 0.977, 0.920, P<0.01), and the three combinations (AUC=0.986, P<0.01) had higher predictive value. Conclusion: Serum Lp-PLA2, d-dimer and galectin-3 are significantly correlated with coronary atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques in patients with coronary heart disease, with high sensitivity and specificity, which can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of early atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.
文摘BACKGROUND Discontinued application of statins may be related to adverse cardiovascular events.However,it is unclear whether different statins administration methods have effects on coronary artery plaques.AIM To evaluate the effects of different statins application methods on plaques in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.METHODS A total of 100 patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic plaque by coronary artery computed tomography were continuously selected and divided into three groups according to different statins administration methods(discontinued application group,n=32;intermittent application group,n=39;sustained application group,n=29).The effects of the different statins application methods on coronary atherosclerotic plaque were assessed.RESULTS The volume change and rate of change of the most severe plaques were significantly reduced in the sustained application group(P≤0.001).The volume change of the most severe plaques correlated positively with low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C)levels only in the sustained application group(R=0.362,P=0.013).There were no changes in plaques or LDL-C levels in the intermittent and discontinued application groups.CONCLUSION Continuous application of statins is effective for controlling plaque progression,whereas discontinued or intermittent administration of statins is not conducive to controlling plaques.Only with continuous statins administration can a reduction in LDL-C levels result in plaque volume shrinkage.
文摘Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality. Presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary artery is responsible for lu-men stenosis which is often used as an indicator for determining the severity of coronary artery disease. However, the degree of coronary lumen stenosis is not often related to compromising myocardial blood flow, as most of the cardiac events that are caused by atherosclerotic plaques are the result of vulnerable plaques which are prone to rupture. Thus, identification of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries has become increas-ingly important to assist identify patients with high cardiovascular risks. Molecular imaging with use of positron emission tomography （PET） and single photon emission computed tomography （SPECT） has fulfilled this goal by providing functional information about plaque activity which enables accurate assessment of plaque stability. This review article provides an overview of diagnostic applications of molecular imaging tech-niques in the detection of plaques in coronary arteries with PET and SPECT. New radiopharmaceuticals used in the molecular imaging of coro-nary plaques and diagnostic applications of integrated PET/CT and PET/MRI in coronary plaques are also discussed.
文摘Objective To evaluate the predictive value of atherosclerotic aortic plaques in coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods In 50 patients with suspected coronary artery disease, transesophageal echocardiography was performed to examine their thoracic aortas 2 weeks before or after coronary angiography. In the cases of coronary angiography studied, stenosis of the coronary artery ≥50%was considered to be due to coronary artery disease, whereas the thickness of the intima ≥1.3 mm was taken to be the criteria for the presence of an atherosclerotic aortic plaque on the transesophageal echocardiographic test. Results Among the 50 patients, 37 cases were diagnosed as CAD and 13 cases were considered to be normal. The plaques of the thoracic aorta were observed in 34 cases in the CAD group and 3 cases in the normal group. The sensitivity and specificity of aortic plaques for CAD were 91.9%and 76.9%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of the aortic plaques for CAD were 91.9%and 76.9%, respectively. The accuracy was 88.0%. 80 percent of the patients with single-vessel disease had thoracic aortic plaques, 92 percent of the patients with two vessel disease and 100 percent of the patients with three vessel disease had thoracic aortic plaques. There was a significant difference in the thickness of aortic intimas between the normal group and the CAD group. Conclusions Detecting atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta with transesophageal echocardiography may be of great value in predicting the presence and extent of coronary artery disease.
