Inflammation in plaque erosion and rupture

: Methotrexate is an antimetabolite anticancer drug frequently used in the treatment of extensive chronic plaque psoriasis. Psoriatic plaque erosion is a rare toxic side effect of single-dose methotrexate and is described as a sign of the impending pancytopenia. Here, we report a case of a 48-year-old male, presented with multiple oral and genital erosions, fissuring over palm and soles for 5 days. His laboratory tests revealed severe pancytopenia and nephropathy. He had a history of chronic plaque psoriasis for which he took a single dose of 15 mg methotrexate. During the hospital stay, the patient needed folate antagonist, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and platelet transfusions. He recovered within 12 days of admission.

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Macrophage infiltrates in coronary plaque erosion portend a worse cardiovascular outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

R.A Montone ◽

V Vetrugno ◽

M Camilli ◽

M Russo ◽

M.G Del Buono ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Vulnerable Plaque ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Plaque Rupture ◽

Culprit Lesion ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Fibrous Cap ◽

Plaque Erosion

Abstract Background Plaque erosion (PE) is responsible for at least one-third of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Inflammatory activation is considered a key mechanism of plaque instability in patients with plaque rupture through the release of metalloproteinases and the inhibition of collagen synthesis that in turns lead to fibrous cap degradation. However, the clinical relevance of macrophage infiltration has never been investigated in patients with PE. Purpose In our study, we aimed at assessing the presence of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-defined macrophage infiltrates (MØI) at the culprit site in ACS patients with PE, evaluating their clinical and OCT correlates, along with their prognostic value. Methods ACS patients undergoing OCT imaging and presenting PE as culprit lesion were retrospectively selected. Presence of MØI at culprit site and in non-culprit segments along the culprit vessel was assessed. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as the composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization (TVR), was assessed [follow-up median (interquartile range, IQR) time 2.5 (2.03–2.58) years]. Results We included 153 patients [median age (IQR) 64 (53–75) years, 99 (64.7%) males]. Fifty-one (33.3%) patients presented PE with MØI and 102 (66.7%) PE without MØI. Patients having PE with MØI compared with PE patients without MØI had more vulnerable plaque features both at culprit site and at non-culprit segments. In particular, culprit lesion analysis demonstrated that patients with PE with MØI had a significantly thinner fibrous cap [median (IQR) 100 (60–120) μm vs. 160 (95–190) μm, p<0.001], higher prevalence of thrombus [41 (80.4%) vs. 64 (62.7%), p=0.028], lipid plaque [39 (76.5%) vs. 50 (49.0%), p<0.001], TCFA [20 (39.2%) vs. 14 (13.7%), p=0.001], and a higher maximum lipid arc [median [IQR] 250.0° (177.5°-290.0°) vs. 190.0° (150.0°-260.0°), p=0.018) at the culprit lesion compared with PE without MØI. MACEs were significantly more frequent in PE with MØI patients compared with PE without MØI [11 (21.6%) vs. 6 (5.9%), p=0.008], mainly driven by a higher risk of cardiac death and TVR. At multivariable Cox regression model, PE with MØI [HR=2.95, 95% CI (1.09–8.02), p=0.034] was an independent predictor of MACEs. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that among ACS patients with PE the presence of MØI at culprit lesion is associated with a more aggressive phenotype of coronary atherosclerosis with more vulnerable plaque features, along with a worse prognosis at a long-term follow-up. These findings are of the utmost importance in the era of precision medicine because clearly show that macrophage infiltrates may identify patients with a higher cardiovascular risk requiring more aggressive secondary prevention therapies and a closer clinical follow-up. Prognosis Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Plaque erosion causing ST-elevation myocardial infarction after consumption of cannabis and N2O in a 27-year old man: a case report

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-01953-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Bär ◽

Fabien Praz ◽

Lorenz Räber

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Case Report ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Cardiovascular Effects ◽

Drug Eluting Stent ◽

Culprit Lesion ◽

Vascular Events ◽

The Public ◽

Plaque Erosion ◽

First Case

Abstract Background The recreational drugs cannabis and nitrous oxide (N2O) are known for pro-atherogenic effects and are associated with an elevated risk of myocardial infarction. These cardiovascular effects might be underestimated by the public. Culprit-lesion composition of myocardial infarctions associated with cannabis and N2O has been unknown so far. This case report aims to raise the awareness of the adverse cardiovascular effects of cannabis and N2O and reports, for the first time, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of the culprit lesion. Case presentation This is a case report of a 27-year old man with anterior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after intoxication with cannabis and N2O. Coronary angiography and OCT revealed plaque erosion with subsequent subtotal thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior descending artery that was successfully treated with 1 drug-eluting stent. The patient was symptom free at 6 months follow-up and had been able to abstain from drug consumption. Conclusions This is the first case to demonstrate the association between cannabis and N2O abuse and plaque erosion on OCT in a young man with STEMI. In contrast to smoking, whose adverse effects are well-known, the cardiovascular effects of cannabis and N2O might be underestimated. These adverse effects should gain more awareness in the public to prevent early vascular events in young adults.

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Different Approaches in Therapy Aiming to Stabilize An Unstable Atherosclerotic Plaque

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4354

Author(s):

Michal Kowara ◽

Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jedrzejewska

Keyword(s):

Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Clinical Problem ◽

Myocardial Infarctions ◽

Matrix Remodeling ◽

Plaque Erosion ◽

Plaque Stabilization ◽

Regulation Of Metabolism ◽

Alternative Approaches ◽

Unstable Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽

Plaque Destabilization

Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is a vital clinical problem as vulnerable plaques tend to rupture, which results in atherosclerosis complications—myocardial infarctions and subsequent cardiovascular deaths. Therefore, methods aiming to stabilize such plaques are in great demand. In this brief review, the idea of atherosclerotic plaque stabilization and five main approaches—towards the regulation of metabolism, macrophages and cellular death, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and extracellular matrix remodeling have been presented. Moreover, apart from classical approaches (targeted at the general mechanisms of plaque destabilization), there are also alternative approaches targeted either at certain plaques which have just become vulnerable or targeted at the minimization of the consequences of atherosclerotic plaque erosion or rupture. These alternative approaches have also been briefly mentioned in this review.

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