Prognostic value of coronary atherosclerotic plaque characteristics assessed with intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease
Keywords:
vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, acute myocardial infarction, chronic ischemic heart disease,, intravascular ultrasoundAbstract
Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value detected by intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (VH-IVUS) characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD).
Materials and methods. 70 patients were enrolled: 40 patients with AMI and 40 patients with IHD in the comparing group referred for coronary angiography. Patients underwent coronary angiography and gray-scale and VH-IVUS after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of infarct-related lesion in AMI. Follow-up was 2-years.
Results. Cardiac events in patients with AMI were associated with high level of calcification in atherosclerotic plaques (>6.7%), the instability index – the ratio of necrotic component to the fibrous (>0.38); in patients with IHD – plaque burden (>49%).