Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
04:40

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans

Published on: August 28, 2018

Differences in coronary artery plaques between target and non-target vessels

Stefan Toggweiler1, Yves Suter, Andreas W Schoenenberger

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland.

The Journal of Invasive Cardiology
|November 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery disease patients show higher plaque burden and necrotic core in culprit arteries. Plaque composition is similar between culprit and non-culprit vessels, but target vessels have more necrotic core.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Understanding plaque characteristics in culprit versus non-culprit lesions is crucial for risk stratification and treatment.
  • Intravascular imaging modalities like IVUS and VH provide detailed insights into plaque burden and composition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare plaque burden and composition between target coronary arteries with culprit lesions and non-target coronary arteries.
  • To investigate the differences in plaque characteristics using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and virtual histology (VH).

Main Methods:

  • Sixty patients undergoing coronary angiography (acute or elective) were enrolled.
  • Target culprit lesions were identified angiographically.
  • The first 4 cm of both target and a non-target coronary artery were analyzed using IVUS and VH.

Main Results:

  • Target vessels exhibited significantly higher total plaque burden (52.4% vs. 45.9%, p < 0.001).
  • The amount of necrotic core was significantly greater in target vessels (21.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.028).
  • Non-target vessels had a greater amount of fibrolipidic material (12.7% vs. 10.6%, p = 0.035).

Conclusions:

  • Patients with significant CAD have increased plaque burden and necrotic core in the culprit artery.
  • Plaque composition shows strong correlation between target and non-target coronary arteries.
  • These findings highlight specific plaque differences in diseased coronary segments.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Single Nuclei Isolation from Coronary Endarterectomy Tissue of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients09:09

Single Nuclei Isolation from Coronary Endarterectomy Tissue of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients

Published on: April 3, 2026

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression13:07

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression

Published on: January 15, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...