High-Risk Coronary Plaque Features: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Current cardiovascular event prevention relies on risk stratification and lipid monitoring.
• These methods are limited by the inability to assess or treat vulnerable plaque effectively.
• Advances in coronary plaque imaging highlight the need to identify novel high-risk features.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies identifying plaque, hemodynamic, and patient factors associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) risk.
• To emphasize the importance of vulnerable plaque assessment in cardiovascular disease management.
• To discuss the potential of future multi-modal imaging strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on coronary plaque imaging and cardiovascular events.
• Analysis of factors contributing to acute coronary syndrome.
• Synthesis of current understanding of high-risk plaque characteristics.

Main Results:

• Several plaque, hemodynamic, and patient factors are associated with increased risk of ACS.
• Vulnerable plaque identification is key to improving risk stratification.
• Multi-modal imaging offers promise for better assessment.

Conclusions:

• Understanding high-risk plaque features is essential for advancing coronary disease treatment.
• Future imaging advancements could lead to improved patient outcomes.
• Personalized treatment strategies targeting vulnerable plaque are on the horizon.