In vivo lipid core plaque modification with percutaneous coronary revascularization: a near-infrared spectroscopy...

Coronary revascularization is associated with no-reflow phenomenon and elevation of cardiac biomarkers. This may occur due to plaque modification. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to evaluate lipid core plaque (LCP) modification with coronary revascularization and its correlation with periprocedural myocardial infarction.

Patients presenting to the cardiac catheterization laboratory who underwent NIRS, NIRS/intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were reviewed and their lipid core burden index (LCBI) was assessed. Using fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm, the coronary was divided into three zones and the lipid burden was recalculated. Its correlation to postprocedure troponin elevation and outcomes with a mean follow-up of 42 months were studied.

A total of 77 coronaries were evaluated. There was an overall decrease in the LCBI after percutaneous revascularization (P<.0001). Using fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm, there was always a decrease in the lipid burden at the site of the percutaneous revascularization (P<.0001). Postprocedure troponin elevation was only noted in patients with an axial shifting of the LCP. There was no difference in long-term outcomes due to the degree of reduction of lipid burden or its axial.

Plaque modification may be performed successfully using interventional methods and can be evaluated with NIRS. Axial plaque shifting is an acute prognostic marker for postprocedure myocardial infarction.