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Ubiquitous atherosclerosis in coronary arteries without angiographically significant stenosis

Naoki Ishio1, Yoshio Kobayashi, Yo Iwata

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.

Heart and Vessels
|January 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery atherosclerosis is widespread, even in arteries without significant blockages. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) revealed similar plaque burden in both normal and diseased arteries, indicating universal atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical Imaging
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies indicate coronary artery atherosclerosis exists in angiographically normal segments.
  • Previous IVUS research has not consistently examined all three major coronary arteries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and extent of atherosclerosis in all three major coronary arteries using IVUS, including those without significant stenosis.

Main Methods:

  • IVUS evaluation of the proximal two-thirds of three major coronary arteries in 50 patients with single-vessel disease.
  • Measurement of lumen and external elastic membrane cross-sectional areas at 1-mm intervals.
  • Calculation of normalized total plaque and media volume (TPV) and percent plaque and media volume (PPV).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in normalized TPV, PPV, or abnormal intimal thickness incidence were found between arteries with and without significant stenosis.
  • The frequency distribution of plaque burden was similar across all examined coronary arteries.
  • Atherosclerosis was found to be ubiquitous, present even in arteries lacking angiographically significant stenosis.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary atherosclerosis is a widespread condition, affecting arteries regardless of angiographic stenosis severity.
  • The extent of atherosclerosis is comparable between coronary arteries with and without significant stenosis.

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