The relationship between complement C1q and coronary plaque vulnerability based on optical coherence tomography...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health concern.
• Vulnerable plaque morphology is a key factor in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
• The role of complement C1q in plaque vulnerability requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between complement C1q levels and vulnerable plaque characteristics in CAD patients.
• To assess the predictive value of complement C1q for plaque vulnerability.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 221 CAD patients.
• Intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) for plaque morphology assessment.
• Logistic regression and ROC analysis to determine correlations and predictive accuracy.

Main Results:

• Complement C1q levels were lower in ACS patients compared to chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients.
• Lower C1q levels correlated with increased likelihood of vulnerable plaques.
• C1q showed significant predictive accuracy for plaque rupture, erosion, thrombus, and cholesterol crystals.

Conclusions:

• Complement C1q is independently associated with plaque vulnerability in CAD.
• C1q may serve as a potential biomarker for identifying high-risk plaques in CAD patients.