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Updated: Aug 25, 2025
Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
Association of Microluminal Structures Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography With Local Inflammation in Adjacent
Yutaka Kawabata1, Tetsuzo Wakatsuki1, Koji Yamaguchi1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Background:
Coronary intraplaque microluminal structures (MS) are associated with plaque vulnerability, and the inward progression of vascular inflammation from the adventitia towards the media and intima has also been demonstrated. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the relationships among MS, local inflammation in adjacent epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), and coronary plaque characteristics.
Methods And Results:
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed MS in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 10 fresh cadaveric hearts. We sampled 30 lesions and subdivided them based on the presence of MS: MS (+) group (n=19) and MS (-) group (n=11). We measured inflammatory molecule levels in the adjacent EAT and percentage lipid volume assessed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound in each lesion. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor B and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 were significantly higher in the MS (+) group than in the MS (-) group (0.9±0.7 vs. 0.2±0.2 arbitrary units (AU), P=0.04 and 1.5±0.5 vs. 0.6±0.7 AU, P=0.02, respectively). Percentage lipid volume was significantly higher in the MS (+) group than in the MS (-) group (38.7±16.5 vs. 23.7±10.9%, P=0.03).
Conclusions:
Intraplaque MS observed on OCT were associated with lipid-rich plaques and local inflammation in the adjacent EAT. Collectively, these results suggest that local inflammation in the EAT is associated with coronary plaque vulnerability via MS.
Insights
Coronary intraplaque microluminal structures (MS) are linked to vulnerable plaques and inflammation in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). This study found MS are associated with lipid-rich plaques and EAT inflammation, suggesting a role in coronary artery disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Atherosclerosis Research
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Coronary intraplaque microluminal structures (MS) are indicators of plaque vulnerability.
- Vascular inflammation progresses inward from the adventitia to the intima.
- The relationship between MS, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) inflammation, and plaque characteristics requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between coronary intraplaque microluminal structures (MS).
- To examine the link between local inflammation in adjacent epicardial adipose tissue (EAT).
- To determine the relationship with coronary plaque characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified MS in coronary arteries from cadaveric hearts.
- Lesions were categorized into MS-positive and MS-negative groups.
- Inflammatory molecule levels in EAT and lipid volume were quantified.
Main Results:
- MS-positive plaques showed significantly higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor B and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 in adjacent EAT.
- Plaques with MS exhibited a significantly higher percentage of lipid volume.
- These findings indicate a correlation between MS, EAT inflammation, and plaque lipid content.
Conclusions:
- Intraplaque MS identified by OCT are associated with lipid-rich coronary plaques.
- MS are linked to local inflammation in the adjacent epicardial adipose tissue (EAT).
- These results suggest that EAT inflammation contributes to coronary plaque vulnerability through MS formation.
