Associations Between Resolvin D1 and Culprit Plaque Morphologies: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background As a specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator, resolvin D1 (RvD1) inhibits atherosclerosis progression in vivo by reducing regional oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. However, it is unclear how RvD1 is involved in human coronary artery disease. This study aims to investigate the association between plasma levels of RvD1 and culprit-plaque characteristics in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods A total of 240 STEMI patients undergoing optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination were analyzed. RvD1 levels were measured in patient plasma samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between RvD1 levels and various culprit plaque morphologies, and the receiver operating curve was used to search for an optimal cutoff threshold to predict certain pathological features. Results The median RvD1 level was 129.7 (56.6–297.8) pg/mL. According to multivariable logistic regression, high RvD1 was associated with plaque rupture (≥111.5 pg/mL, odds ratio [OR]: 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–3.66, P = 0.010), healed plaques (≥246.4 pg/mL, OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.11–4.24, P = 0.023), and calcification (≥293.38 pg/mL, OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.21–3.66, P = 0.008) at culprit lesions. Conclusion Increased levels of RvD1 were associated with higher instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in STEMI patients.