Compositional analysis of angioscopic yellow plaques with intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data
Received 20 September 2006; received in revised form 11 February 2007; accepted 17 February 2007. published online 25 April 2007.
Abstract
Background
To identify subclinical high-risk plaques is potentially important because those vulnerable plaques may have a greater likelihood of rupture and subsequent thrombosis. The aim of this study is to reveal the histology of angioscopic yellow plaques known as vulnerable plaques by intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis.
Methods
Thirty-one coronary plaques in 21 patients, which were non-culprit, de novo, angiographically non-obstructive (<50%) lesions, were analyzed with Virtual Histology™- intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) and coronary angioscopy. These plaques were prospectively divided into 4 groups (Grade0 to 3) by the yellow color intensity and we compared plaque morphology, echogenicity and composition among their groups.
Results
Morphology and echogenicity evaluated by standard gray-scale IVUS were not significantly different among those groups. On analyzing plaque composition by VH-IVUS, mean percentage of necrotic core was significantly larger in yellow plaque (Grade 2 and 3) than white plaque (Grade 0).
Conclusions
Angioscopic yellow plaque included a larger amount of necrotic core analyzed by VH-IVUS than white plaque.
Nihon University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchikami-cho, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8610, Japan
ABSTRACT