AIMS To evaluate the effect of long-term maximally intensive statin therapy on indices of coronary atheroma composition in a randomized trial, and how these changes relate to modifications of serum lipoproteins and systemic inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS The Study of coronary Atheroma by inTravascular Ultrasound: the effect of Rosuvastatin vs. atorvastatiN (SATURN) employed serial intravas...

A considerable burden of cerebral embolism in association with cardiac surgery reflects dislodgement of aortic atheroma caused by manipulating the aorta during a surgical procedure (Barbut and Gold 1996; Van Zaane, Zuithoff et al. 2008; Whitley and Glas 2008; Yamaguchi, Adachi et al. 2009). It clearly makes logical sense to identify and attempt to avoid dislodgement of aortic atheroma. This str...

The occurrence of atheroma plaques in the arteries can eventually obstruct them, leading to diseases such as atherosclerosis, which cause, among others, a myocardial infarction or stroke. As consequence, it is necessary shorten time spent locating and reconstructing plaque that be developed an artery. This localization usually conducted manually from contours located on cross-sectional radiogra...

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) accelerates plaque progression despite the use of statin therapy. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the determinants of atheroma progression in statin-treated patients with DM. METHODS Coronary atherosclerosis in nonculprit lesions in a vessel undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was evaluated using virtual histology intravascula...

The aim of this study was to describe a standardised intraoperative ultrasound examination of the aorta and proximal coronary arteries for use in cardiac surgery using a handheld probe, to be used in conjunction with intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography. Most cardiac surgery operations involving the use of cardiopulmonary bypass will result in significant manipulation of the ascendi...

AIM Large plaque burden, expansive vascular remodelling, and spotty calcification have been considered as important morphologies of high-risk plaques causing acute coronary events. Although non-occlusive rupture of high-risk plaques has been proposed as a mechanism for disease progression in post-mortem studies, the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis in stable patients with high-risk p...

CONTEXT Although low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase risk for coronary disease, no data exist regarding potential benefits of administration of HDL-C or an HDL mimetic. ApoA-I Milano is a variant of apolipoprotein A-I identified in individuals in rural Italy who exhibit very low levels of HDL. Infusion of recombinant ApoA-I Milano-phospholipid complexes produces ...