Characterization of plaque phenotypes exhibiting an elevated pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation: insights from the REASSURE-NIRS registry

Satoshi Kitahara, Yu Kataoka, Hiroyuki Miura, Tatsuya Nishii, Kunihiro Nishimura, Kota Murai, Takamasa Iwai, Hideo Matama, Satoshi Honda, Masashi Fujino, Shuichi Yoneda, Kensuke Takagi, Fumiyuki Otsuka, Yasuhide Asaumi, Yusuke Fujino, Kenichi Tsujita, Rishi Puri, Stephen J. Nicholls, Teruo Noguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Inflammation has been considered to promote atheroma instability. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) visualizes pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation, which reflects coronary artery inflammation. While PCAT attenuation has been reported to predict future coronary events, plaque phenotypes exhibiting high PCAT attenuation remains to be fully elucidated. The current study aims to characterize coronary atheroma with a greater vascular inflammation. We retrospectively analyzed culprit lesions in 69 CAD patients receiving PCI from the REASSURE-NIRS registry (NCT04864171). Culprit lesions were evaluated by both CCTA and near-infrared spectroscopy/intravascular ultrasound (NIRS/IVUS) imaging prior to PCI. PCAT attenuation at proximal RCA (PCATRCA) and NIRS/IVUS-derived plaque measures were compared in patients with PCATRCA attenuation ≥ and < -78.3 HU (median). Lesions with PCATRCA attenuation ≥ -78.3 HU exhibited a greater frequency of maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 (66% vs. 26%, p < 0.01), plaque burden ≥ 70% (94% vs. 74%, p = 0.02) and spotty calcification (49% vs. 6%, p < 0.01). Whereas positive remodeling (63% vs. 41%, p = 0.07) did not differ between two groups. On multivariable analysis, maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 (OR = 4.07; 95%CI 1.12–14.74, p = 0.03), plaque burden ≥ 70% (OR = 7.87; 95%CI 1.01–61.26, p = 0.04), and spotty calcification (OR = 14.33; 95%CI 2.37–86.73, p < 0.01) independently predicted high PCATRCA attenuation. Of note, while the presence of only one plaque feature did not necessarily elevate PCATRCA attenuation (p = 0.22), lesions harboring two or more features were significantly associated with higher PCATRCA attenuation. More vulnerable plaque phenotypes were observed in patients with high PCATRCA attenuation. Our findings suggest PCATRCA attenuation as the presence of profound disease substrate, which potentially benefits from anti-inflammatory agents.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1943-1952
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
Volume39
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Anti-inflammatory agents
  • Large plaque burden
  • Lipid-rich plaque
  • Positive remodeling
  • Spotty calcification

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