Small HDL subclass is associated with coronary plaque stability: An optical coherence tomography study in patients...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Lipid Metabolism
• Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

• The role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses in atherosclerotic diseases is not fully understood.
• Previous studies explored HDL subspecies' predictive effect on cardiovascular risk, but not their link to plaque microstructure.
• The connection between HDL subclasses and coronary plaque characteristics needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between HDL subclasses and coronary plaque stability.
• To assess plaque microstructure using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Main Methods:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assess morphological characteristics of 160 nontarget lesions in 85 patients with coronary artery disease.
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass profiles were analyzed using nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Main Results:

• Small HDL subclass levels positively correlated with fibrous cap thickness and negatively with maximum lipid arc and lipid core length.
• Multivariate logistic regression identified small HDL subclass as an independent predictor of OCT-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma in nontarget lesions.
• Specifically, higher percentages or concentrations of small HDL were associated with more stable plaque characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Elevated levels of small HDL are associated with increased stability of coronary nontarget plaques.
• The small HDL subtype may possess atheroprotective properties, contributing to plaque stabilization.
• These findings highlight the potential clinical significance of small HDL subclasses in assessing cardiovascular risk.