Background: It has recently become possible to analyze coronary plaque characteristics by using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). The aim of this study was to use this modality to evaluate the impact of early intervention with rosuvastatin on both the volume and tissue characteristics of non-culprit plaques in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Methods and Results:Patients with ACS underwent IB-IVUS after percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and were administered rosuvastatin. Follow-up IB-IVUS was recorded 6 months later. We analyzed the changes in plaque burden and tissue characteristics in these patients. Plaque components were classified as calcified, fibrous, and lipid according IB-IVUS. We comprehensively analyzed 20 ACS patients. The low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased significantly from 117±34 mg/dl to 73±19 mg/dl (P<0.001) after statin therapy. Comparing the baseline images with the follow-up ones revealed a significant reduction in the plaque burden from 98.4±42.1 mm 3 /10 mm to 80.2±35.8 mm 3 /10 mm (P<0.001) and in the lipid volume from 44.1±29.6 mm 3 / 10 mm to 28.6±17.8 mm 3 /10 mm (P<0.001). With respect to the % lipid volume, the reduction rate at follow-up showed a significant correlation with its baseline value (r=-0.498, P=0.024).
Conclusions:Early intervention with rosuvastatin in ACS patients enabled significant reduction of the non-culprit plaque during 6 months. This regression was mainly due to the decrease in the lipid component of the plaque. (Circ J 2011; 75: 633 - 641)
This study was carried out to compare concentrations of osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The study population consisted of 200 consecutive subjects in whom both OPN/OPG and ankle-brachial index were measured. It was found that OPN levels, but not OPG levels, were significantly more increased in patients with PAD than those without PAD. Serum OPN levels were significantly lower in subjects with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers than those without these agents. In this study, it has been demonstrated for the first time that serum OPN levels are related to PAD. Inhibition of renin- angiotensin system could decrease OPN levels and prevent the progression of PAD.
Cardiovascular complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality among BMT recipients. The preparative regimen for allogeneic BMT and long-term immunosuppression can induce atherosclerosis; in addition, the coronary endothelium is a potential target for the graft-versus-host immune response in chronic GVHD.
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