Predictive value of plaque morphology assessed by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography for impaired microvascular perfusion after elective stent implantation: the intracoronary electrocardiogram study.

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the association between plaque features at culprit lesions assessed by frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) and impaired microvascular perfusion estimated by intracoronary electrocardiogram (IcECG) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, we investigated whether IcECG could predict future cardiac events.

Methods and results: This study consisted of 84 patients who underwent both FD-OCT and IcECG during PCI. Patients were classified into two groups based on ST-segment elevation (ST-E) on IcECG after the procedure; ST-E (-) group (n = 53) and ST-E (+) group (n = 31). Minimum fibrous cap thickness was significantly thinner in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group (240 μm [IQR 180 to 310] vs. 100 μm [IQR 60 to 120], P < 0.001). Plaque rupture (7.5% vs. 35.5%, P = 0.001), lipid-rich plaque (75.5% vs. 100%, P < 0.001), the thin cap fibroatheroma (0% vs. 25.8%, P < 0.001) on pre-FD-OCT, protrusion (18.9% vs. 56.7%, P < 0.001), and intra-stent dissection (15.1% vs. 50.0%, P < 0.001) on post-FD-OCT were significantly more frequently found in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group. The incidence of MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, hospitalization for heart failure) during 1-year was significantly higher in the ST-E (+) group than in the ST-E (-) group (5.7% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Plaque features assessed by FD-OCT might be associated with impaired microvascular perfusion and ST-segment elevation on IcECG after the procedure could predict 1-year cardiac events after elective PCI.