Increased spatial vasa vasorum density in the proximal LAD in hypercholesterolemia--implications for vulnerable...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Atherosclerosis Pathophysiology
• Microvascular Biology

Background:

• Vasa vasorum (VV) neovascularization is linked to advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
• Complex lesions often occur in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatial distribution of VV in early atherosclerosis.
• To determine if VV density influences lesion location in the LAD.

Main Methods:

• Domestic pigs were fed normal or high-cholesterol diets for 3 months.
• Microcomputed tomography analyzed VV count, vascular-area-fraction (flow capacity), and endothelial-surface-fraction in LAD segments.
• Measurements were taken in proximal, mid, and distal thirds of the LAD.

Main Results:

• In normal diet pigs, proximal LAD had higher VV counts and flow capacity.
• High-cholesterol diet induced significant VV neovascularization.
• Proximal and mid LAD showed substantially increased VV counts, flow capacity, and endothelial exchange surface compared to the distal LAD.

Conclusions:

• VV neovascularization in early atherosclerosis accentuates proximal flow capacity and endothelial exchange.
• This proximally increased vascularization may promote the development of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in the proximal LAD.