Tissue characterization of non-culprit intermediate coronary lesions in non ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Disruption of vulnerable plaques is the most common cause of acute coronary syndromes. Intravascular ultrasound facilitates cross-sectional imaging of coronary arteries. We aimed at using IVUS to investigate the morphology and tissue characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques of non-culprit intermediate coronary lesions in non-ST elevation ACS setting.

Methods: IVUS assessment of sixty-one intermediate coronary lesions in twenty-eight patients with the diagnosis of Non ST elevation acute coronary syndromes. Ultrasound signals were obtained by an IVUS system using a 40-MHz catheter.

Results: Mean age was 53.2 ± 9.1 years. Males = 20 (71.4%). Smoking in 17 (60.7%), hypertension in 16 (57.1%), Dyslipidemia in 12 (42.9%) and DM in 8 (28.6%). Culprit vessels represent 42% of affected vessels. Sixty-one intermediate lesions were detected. Twenty-nine lesions in culprit vessels and thirty-two lesions in non-culprit vessels with higher lipidic content in lesions of culprit vessels ( P  < 0.001) while a higher calcific content in lesions of non-culprit vessels ( P  < 0.001). Higher calcific content of proximal more than distal lesions ( P  = 0.048). Negative remodeling in 55.7% of lesions.

Conclusions: A higher lipidic content in lesions of culprit vessels, while the lesions of non-culprit vessels were more calcific. Higher calcific content of proximal more than distal lesions was defined as well.