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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Histological Quantification of Chronic Myocardial Infarct in Rats
09:45

Histological Quantification of Chronic Myocardial Infarct in Rats

Published on: December 11, 2016

Lesion Morphological Characteristics and Prognosis of Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients With Different

Shuangtong Shao1,2,3, Wentao Wang1,2,3, Boling Yi1,2,3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University.

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|August 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Occlusion of the culprit artery (OCA) in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is linked to more ruptured plaques and specific features like lipid-rich plaque and thrombus. Shorter symptom-to-catheter times predict better outcomes for these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Occlusion of the culprit artery (OCA) affects a significant portion of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, correlating with poor prognosis.
  • NSTEMI management is complex, possibly due to varied pathophysiological mechanisms across clinical presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the morphological characteristics of culprit plaques in NSTEMI patients with and without OCA.
  • To identify predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events in NSTEMI patients with OCA.

Main Methods:

  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed on 324 NSTEMI patients.
  • Patients were categorized into an OCA group (n=105) and a non-OCA group (n=219).
  • Morphological plaque features were analyzed and compared between the groups.

Main Results:

  • The OCA group exhibited significantly higher rates of plaque rupture (67.6% vs. 42.5%), lipid-rich plaque (81.0% vs. 67.1%), thin-cap fibroatheroma (48.6% vs. 25.1%), thrombus (88.6% vs. 66.7%), macrophage accumulation (92.4% vs. 76.7%), and cholesterol crystals (48.6% vs. 27.4%) compared to the non-OCA group.
  • Symptom-to-catheter time was identified as an independent predictor of 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events in the OCA group.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct differences in culprit plaque morphology exist between NSTEMI patients with and without OCA.
  • OCA is associated with plaque rupture and features characteristic of ST-elevation myocardial infarction-like plaques.
  • Symptom-to-catheter time is a crucial independent predictor for major adverse cardiovascular events in NSTEMI patients with OCA.
Abstract

Keywords:
Coronary occlusionMajor adverse cardiovascular eventsNon-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctionOptical coherence tomographyPlaque rupture

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