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Studies of regression/progression of atherosclerosis in man
Insights
Angiography accurately measures atherosclerosis, correlating with direct examination and cholesterol levels. This technique is feasible for tracking disease progression in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Medical imaging
- Atherosclerosis research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, requires accurate methods for assessment.
- Direct examination of atherosclerosis is invasive and not suitable for serial monitoring.
- Angiography offers a less invasive approach to visualize and quantify vascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between angiographic measurements and direct assessment of atherosclerosis.
- To determine if angiography can accurately measure changes in atherosclerosis over time.
- To assess the feasibility of using angiography in clinical trials for studying atheroma regression and progression.
Main Methods:
- Visual inspection and computer-assisted analysis of angiograms were performed.
- Measurements were correlated with direct examination of atherosclerosis in specific vessel segments.
- Cholesterol content of atherosclerotic lesions was also analyzed.
- Serial angiograms were used to track changes in atherosclerosis over a one-year period in a cohort of men with premature atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Angiographic assessment, both visual and computer-based, showed high correlation with direct examination of atherosclerosis.
- Computer assessment of angiograms strongly correlated with the cholesterol content of atherosclerotic lesions.
- Serial changes in human atherosclerosis were measurable by angiography.
- In men aged 40-49 with premature atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, approximately 50% showed femoral atherosclerosis progression within one year, while the other 50% had stable or regressed lesions.
Conclusions:
- Angiography is a reliable method for assessing atherosclerosis severity and composition.
- Angiography enables the measurement of serial changes in atherosclerosis, supporting its use in longitudinal studies.
- Small-scale clinical trials focusing on atheroma regression and progression using angiography are feasible and practical.
Abstract:
1. Visual inspection and computer measurement of angiograms are highly correlated with direct examination of atherosclerosis in a specified vessel segment. 2. Computer assessment of an angiogram is highly correlated with cholesterol content of atherosclerosis in a specified vessel segment. 3. Serial change in human atherosclerosis can be measured by angiography. 4. Approximately 50% of men with premature atherosclerosis manifest by myocardial infarction between ages 40 and 49 will show progression in femoral atherosclerosis in one year. An equal number will have lesions which are apparently stable or show regression. 5. Small scale clinical trials employing atheroma regression/progression assessment by angiography are feasible.