Correlation between plaque composition as assessed by virtual histology and C-reactive protein

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biomarkers
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Coronary plaque composition influences plaque instability, with vulnerable plaque identification being a focus of research.
• Virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) classifies plaque into calcified, fibrotic, fibrofatty, or necrotic core components.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a known predictor of coronary events, but its association with plaque characteristics in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between coronary plaque components, as determined by VH-IVUS, and plasma hsCRP levels in patients experiencing ACS.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 52 ACS patients undergoing electrocardiographically-gated VH-IVUS of the culprit lesion before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
• Plasma hsCRP levels were measured before PCI and at 24 hours post-procedure.

Main Results:

• The predominant plaque components identified by VH-IVUS at the minimum luminal site were fibrotic (59.6%) and necrotic core (20.7%).
• Plasma hsCRP levels (mean 16.02 mg/L) showed no significant correlation with necrotic core (r=-0.089, p=0.53) or other plaque components.

Conclusions:

• In ACS patients, fibrotic and necrotic core were the primary components of the culprit plaque.
• Serum hsCRP levels did not demonstrate a correlation with the analyzed plaque composition.