AIMS To test the hypothesis that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) would provide novel information of human coronary plaque characterization. METHODS AND RESULTS Greyscale-IVUS, virtual histology (VH)-IVUS, and NIRS were compared in 131 native lesions (66 vessels) that were interrogated during catheterization by all three modalities. Greyscale-IVU...

OBJECTIVE Some angiographic geometric features of coronary lesions have recently been described as independent predictors of myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to correlate these geometric markers with intravascular ultrasound findings known to be associated with greater vulnerability to plaque rupture. METHODS A total of 30 patients with stable coronary syndromes and de nov...

BACKGROUND previous studies have shown that the presence of stenosis alone on multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has a limited positive predictive value for the presence of ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). The purpose of this study was to assess which variables of atherosclerosis on MSCT angiography are related to ischemia on MPI. METHODS AND RESULTS both MSCT and MPI were p...

BACKGROUND Although thrombosis associated with a fissured atherosclerotic plaque is believed to be the most common cause of acute coronary syndromes, the underlying factors that trigger plaque rupture are currently unknown. However, the mechanical behavior of the plaque is probably of critical importance. METHODS AND RESULTS To test the hypothesis that the mechanical properties of a plaque ar...

OBJECTIVE Cell biological studies demonstrate remarkable similarities between mineralization processes in bone and vasculature, but knowledge of the components acting to initiate mineralization in atherosclerosis is limited. The molecular level microenvironment at the organic-inorganic interface holds a record of the mechanisms controlling mineral nucleation. This study was undertaken to compar...

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the accuracy of 3-dimensional, quantitative measurements of coronary plaque by computed tomography angiography (CTA) against intravascular ultrasound with radiofrequency backscatter analysis (IVUS/VH). BACKGROUND Quantitative, 3-dimensional coronary CTA plaque measurements have not been validated against IVUS/VH. METHODS Sixty patients in a prospect...

Coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes are accountable for significant morbidity mortality, despite the preventive measures technological advancements in their management. Thus, it is mandatory to further explore pathophysiology order provide tailored more effective therapies, since syndrome pathogenesis varied than previously assumed. It consists of plaque rupture, erosion, calci...

AIMS We evaluated the distribution and composition of atherosclerotic plaques at bifurcations with intravascular ultrasound-virtual histology (IVUS-VH) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in relation to the bifurcation angle (BA). METHODS AND RESULTS In 33 patients (age 63±11 years, 79% male) imaged with IVUS-VH and MDCT, 33 bifurcations were matched and studied. The analysed main ve...

AIMS Atherosclerotic plaque characteristics play an important role in the development of coronary events. We investigated coronary plaque characteristics on multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH IVUS) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty patients (25 with ACS, 25 ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an established stroke risk factor. Recent evidence suggests that features within the atherosclerotic plaque also have prognostic value. The purpose of this study was to correlate the enhancement of the vasa vasorum (VV) overlying the carotid artery plaque with acute neurological symptoms in patients with 50% to ...