scholarly journals Adoption of a new automated optical coherence tomography software to obtain a lipid plaque spread-out plot

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F G Biccire ◽  
S Budassi ◽  
F Isidori ◽  
E Lella ◽  
V Marco ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Near infrared spectroscopy – intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) imaging can provide a fully automated estimation of lipid burden, providing a two-dimensional spread-out plot, the Lipid Core Burden Index (LCBI), which has been associated with higher incidence of cardiac events. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can identify lipid component with high accuracy and it is therefore potentially capable of measuring its longitudinal extension in a dedicated two-dimensional LCBI spread-out plot. Purpose The present study has been designed to validate a novel automated approach to assess OCT images, able of providing a dedicated LCBI spread-out plot plus other features of plaque vulnerability. Methods We compared the results obtained with a novel automated OCT alghorithm, developed utilising a convolutional neural network, with those obtained with conventional (manual) OCT and with NIRS-IVUS in a consecutive series of 40 patients with coronary artery disease. We tested and validated our new OCT algorithm to calculate the lipid core longitudinal extension in a dedicated two-dimensional LCBI spread-out plot. In each coronary plaque, the following measurements were obtained with NIRS-IVUS: 1) minimum lumen area (MLA), 2) vessel area at MLA site, 3) plaque burden (%) at MLA site, 4) NIRS-defined lipid pool arch and 5) maximum LCBI measurement within a 4 mm length. The following OCT features were obtained: 1) the MLA cross section, 2) the minimum fibrous cap thickness (FCT) in presence of lipid components and measured as the average of three measurements obtained in the same cross-section and 3) maximum LCBI within a 4 mm length. Results Three lesions groups were identified according to the studied lesions: 1) culprit lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n=16), 2) non-culprit lesions in patients with ACS (n=12) and 3) lesions in patients with stable angina (n=12). OCT conventional assessment showed for the culprit ACS plaques a trend for a larger lipid arc and a significant thinner FCT (p=0.028). Consistently, NIRS-IVUS showed for culprit ACS plaques a more complex anatomy. A strong trend for increased maximum LPBI in 4mm segments was found in the culprit ACS group, regardless of the adopted imaging modality, either NIRS-IVUS or automated OCT (p=0.184 and p=0.066, respectively, figure 1). A fair correlation was obtained for the maximum 4 mm LCBI measured by NIRS-IVUS and automated OCT (r=0.75). The sensitivity and specificity of automated OCT to detect significant LCBI, applying a validated 400 cut off were 90.5 and 84.2 respectively. Conclusions We developed an automated approach, comparable to NIRS, to assess OCT images that can provide a dedicated lipid plaque spread-out plot to address plaque vulnerability. The automated OCT software can promote and improve OCT clinical applications for the identification of patients at risk of hard events. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): CLI - Centro Lotta all'Infarto Spread-out plot by IVUS-NIRS and OCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Reith ◽  
Andrea Milzi ◽  
Enrico Domenico Lemma ◽  
Rosalia Dettori ◽  
Kathrin Burgmaier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronary calcification is associated with high risk for cardiovascular events. However, its impact on plaque vulnerability is incompletely understood. In the present study we defined the intrinsic calcification angle (ICA) as the angle externally projected by a vascular calcification and analyzed its role as novel feature of coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Optical coherence tomography was used to determine ICA in 219 calcifications from 56 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 143 calcifications from 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We then used finite elements analysis to gain mechanistic insight into the effects of ICA. Results Minimal (139.8 ± 32.8° vs. 165.6 ± 21.6°, p < 0.001) and mean ICA (164.1 ± 14.3° vs. 176.0 ± 8.4°, p < 0.001) were lower in ACS vs. stable CAD patients. Mean ICA predicted ACS with very good diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.840, 95% CI 0.797–0.882, p < 0.001, optimal cut-off 175.9°); younger age (OR 0.95 per year, 95% CI 0.92–0.98, p = 0.002), male sex (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.41–3.38, p < 0.001), lower HDL-cholesterol (OR 0.82 per 10 mg/dl, 95% CI 0.68–0.98, p = 0.029) and ACS (OR 14.71, 95% CI 8.47–25.64, p < 0.001) were determinants of ICA < 175.9°. A lower ICA predicted ACS (OR for 10°-variation 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.52, p < 0.001) independently from fibrous cap thickness, presence of macrophages or extension of lipid core. In finite elements analysis we confirmed that lower ICA causes increased stress on a lesion’s fibrous cap; this effect was potentiated in more superficial calcifications and adds to the destabilizing role of smaller calcifications. Conclusion Our clinical and mechanistic data for the first time identify ICA as a novel feature of coronary plaque vulnerability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Lu Jia ◽  
Xing Li ◽  
Siyu Jin ◽  
Xiaomei Li ◽  
...  

Background. Fibrinogen levels have been associated with coronary plaque vulnerability in experimental studies. However, it has yet to be determined if serum fibrinogen levels are independently associated with coronary plaque vulnerability as detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods. Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who underwent coronary angiography and OCT in our department from January 2015 to August 2018 were included in this study. Coronary lesions were categorized as ruptured plaque, nonruptured with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), and nonruptured and non-TCFA. Presence of ruptured plaque and nonruptured with TCFA was considered to be vulnerable lesions. Determinants of coronary vulnerability were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results. A total of 154 patients were included in this study; 17 patients had ruptured plaques, 15 had nonruptured plaques with TCFA, and 122 had nonruptured plaques with non-TCFA. Results of univariate analyses showed that being male, diabetes, current smoking, high body mass index (BMI), and clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were associated with coronary vulnerability. No significant differences were detected in patient characteristics, coronary angiographic findings, and OCT results between patients with higher and normal fibrinogen. Results of multivariate logistic analyses showed that diabetes and ACS were associated with TCFA, while diabetes, higher BMI, and ACS were associated with plaque rupture. Conclusions. Diabetes, higher BMI, and ACS are independently associated with coronary vulnerability as detected by OCT. Serum fibrinogen was not associated with coronary vulnerability in our cohort.


Author(s):  
Christian Zanchin ◽  
Yasushi Ueki ◽  
Sylvain Losdat ◽  
Gregor Fahrni ◽  
Joost Daemen ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims We assessed morphological features of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-detected lipid-rich plaques (LRPs) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods and results IVUS-NIRS and OCT were performed in the two non-infarct-related arteries (non-IRAs) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for treatment of an acute coronary syndrome. A lesion was defined as the 4 mm segment with the maximum amount of lipid core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) of each LRP detected by NIRS. We divided the lesions into three groups based on the maxLCBI4mm value: &lt;250, 250–399, and ≥400. OCT analysis and IVUS analysis were performed blinded for NIRS. We measured fibrous cap thickness (FCT) by using a semi-automated method. A total of 104 patients underwent multimodality imaging of 209 non-IRAs. NIRS detected 299 LRPs. Of those, 41% showed a maxLCBI4mm &lt;250, 39% a maxLCBI4mm 251–399, and 19% a maxLCBI4mm ≥400. LRPs with a maxLCBI4mm ≥400, as compared with LRPs with a maxLCBI4mm 250–399 and &lt;250, were more frequently thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (42.1% vs. 5.1% and 0.8%; P &lt; 0.001) with a smaller minimum FCT (80 μm vs. 110 μm and 120 μm; P &lt; 0.001); a higher IVUS-derived percent atheroma volume (53% vs. 53% and 44%; P &lt; 0.001) and a higher remodelling index (1.08 vs. 1.02 and 1.01; P &lt; 0.001). MaxLCBI4mm correlated with OCT-derived FCT (r = 0.404; P &lt; 0.001) and was the best predictor for TCFA with an optimal cut-off value of 401 (area under the curve = 0.882; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion LRPs with increasing maxLCBI4mm exhibit OCT and IVUS features of presumed plaque vulnerability including TCFA morphology, increased plaque burden, and positive remodelling.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Francesco Prati ◽  
Fabrizio Imola ◽  
◽  

The introduction of new technologies to enhance therapeutic solutions requires evidence of significant advantages in terms of clinical results. Recently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been introduced in clinical practice as a potential improvement over current techniques, i.e. angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The feasibility and safety of this technique have convincingly been proved and the assessment of ambiguous lesions and consequently the interventional decisions are improved over IVUS, particularly in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. The strength, but also the limitation, of OCT lies in its ability to precisely display only the surface of the vessel and, therefore, its inability to assess plaque burden. The most important potential application of OCT is detailing stent strut characteristics in post-procedural studies, but the clinical importance of this finding still requires validation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Xing Li ◽  
Jun Pu ◽  
Siyu Jin ◽  
Lu Jia ◽  
...  

Background. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) has been detected in coronary plaques. However, the association between serum GGT levels and coronary atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) as detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) has not been investigated.Methods. We performed a retrospective study of consecutively enrolled CAD patients undergoing preintervention OCT examination during coronary angiography. Plaque vulnerability was defined as the presence of ruptured plaques or thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) upon OCT. The association between serum GGT levels and coronary plaque vulnerability was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results. A total of 142 patients were included in our analysis. OCT examination detected ruptured plaques in 16 patients, nonruptured plaques with TCFA in 17 patients, and nonruptured plaques and non-TCFA in 109 patients. Univariate analyses showed that gender, diabetes, Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were associated with plaque vulnerability (P all < 0.05). Patients grouped according to serum GGT tertiles did not differ statistically in baseline characteristics or OCT findings. Results of multivariate logistic analyses showed that diabetes and diagnosis of ACS were associated with plaque rupture and TCFA (P < 0.05).Conclusions. GGT serum levels were not associated with OCT detected coronary vulnerability in our cohort of CAD patient.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Ioana Rodean ◽  
Elisabeta Himcinschi ◽  
Alexandra Tirca ◽  
Daniel Cernica

Abstract Coronary artery disease represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Unstable angina pectoris is a serious manifestation of ischemic heart disease and represents an acute condition caused by the narrowing of the coronary lumen as the result of an atheromatous plaque formation. In most cases the trigger of this process is represented by the rupture of a plaque that has become vulnerable or unstable. The first-line intracoronary imaging technique for the evaluation of plaque vulnerability is optical coherence tomography, which can measure the thickness of the fibrous cap (a significant predictor of plaque vulnerability) and can also assess other characteristics of plaque vulnerability (macrophage infiltration, lipid pool, intracoronary thrombus, or neointimal rupture). We present the case of a 67-year-old male with symptoms suggestive of unstable angina pectoris, caused by the presence of a vulnerable plaque on the left main coronary artery, where optical coherence tomography had a significant contribution in identifying the etiology of chest pain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio Giuseppe Biccirè ◽  
Simone Budassi ◽  
Francesco Isidori ◽  
Eugenio Lella ◽  
Enrico Romagnoli ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Plaque vulnerability features are associated with major coronary events and poor outcomes. However, routinary and reproducible manual assessment of plaque vulnerability features at optical coherence tomography (OCT) is still challenging. We recently developed and validated an OCT-derived automated approach that can identify the intra-plaque lipid core burden index (LCBI). Our aim was to investigate the association between the automated detection of OCT-derived LCBI and clinical events. Methods and results We conducted a post hoc analysis of the CLIMA study, a large prospective observational, multicentre registry recruiting all consecutive patients undergoing assessment of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) segment by OCT in the context of clinically indicated coronary angiography. The automated detection of maximum LCBI was carried out in 4 mm of intervention-naïve proximal LAD segment (maxLCBI4mm) by using the validated software. The mean and median value of LCBI in all study population (n = 1003) was 407.6 and 411.1, respectively. Patients with higher LCBI (≥400) were more frequently male (P = 0.016) and affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (0.046). Furthermore, they showed more frequently at OCT analysis the vulnerable plaque characteristics investigated in the CLIMA study (Table 1). At Cox regression analysis, a maxLCBI4mm ≥400 predicted at 1 year both a hard endpoint of cardiac death and target-vessel myocardial infarction [hazard ratio (HR): 2.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–5.3, P 0.011], as well as a composite endpoint of cardiac death, any myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization (HR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1, P = 0.011). Conclusions In our study, the automated detection of LCBI at OCT was feasible and related to poorer clinical outcome at 1-year follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-yu Zhang ◽  
Qi Zhao ◽  
Ze-sen Liu ◽  
Chao-yi Zhang ◽  
Jie Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The importance of monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) has been indicated in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, few previous researches demonstrated the relationship between MLR and plaque vulnerability. We aimed to investigate coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods A total of 72 ACS patients who underwent coronary angiography and OCT test in Beijing Anzhen hospital were included in this retrospective study. The plaque vulnerability and plaque morphology were assessed by OCT. Results The coronary plaque in high MLR group exhibited more vulnerable features, characterizing as thinner thickness of fibrous cap (FCT)(112.37 ± 60.24 vs 153.49 ± 73.29 μm, P = 0.013), greater maximum lipid core angle (167.36 ± 62.33 vs 138.79 ± 56.37°, P = 0.010) and longer lipid plaque length (6.34 ± 3.12 vs 4.50 ± 2.21mm, P = 0.041). A prominently negative liner relation was found between MLR and FCT (R = 0.225, P < 0.005). Meanwhile, the incidence of OCT-detected thin cap fibro-atheroma (TCFA) (44.7% vs 18.4%, P = 0.014) and plaque rupture (36.8% vs 13.2%, P = 0.017) were higher in high MLR group. Most importantly, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed MLR level was related to the presence of TCFA (OR:3.316,95%:1.448-7.593,P = 0.005). MLR level could differentiate TCFA with a sensitivity of 72.0% and a specificity of 66.1%. Conclusion Circulating MLR level has potential value in identifying the presence of vulnerable plaque in patients with ACS. MLR, as a non- invasive biomarker of inflammation, may be valuable in revealing plaque vulnerability. Key words Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, Optical coherence tomography, Plaque vulnerability


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kimura ◽  
K Hara ◽  
M Ohmori ◽  
R Tateishi ◽  
T Kaneda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Histopathological analysis or intracoronary image assessment of healed plaques (HPs) has been reported both in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients. However, background characteristics or lesion morphologies of HPs could not be fully clarified and their differences according to the clinical status remain undetermined. Purpose We sought to investigate the clinical and morphological characteristics and compare their differences among ACS and SAP patients in order to clarify the clinical significance in HPs lesions. Methods We enrolled consecutive 201 patients with 213 native coronary artery lesions (139 lesions with SAP, 42 ST elevation-ACS (STE-ACS) and 32 non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) undergoing pre-intervention optical coherence tomography (OCT). HPs was defined as layered phenotype on OCT. Clinical and angiography characteristics and lesion morphologies on OCT were assessed. Results HPs were observed in 110 lesions (51.6%) and their prevalence were not different according to the clinical status (SAP:55.1%, STE-ACS:38.1%, NSTE-ACS:56.3%, p=0.14). Lesions with HPs had higher frequencies of angiography-eccentric lesions (62.7% vs. 35.9%, p&lt;0.001) and OCT-macrophages (65.5% vs. 43.1%, p&lt;0.001), and greater OCT-lumen area stenosis (%-AS) (77.1±10.2% vs. 73.6±10.6%, p=0.01) than those without HPs. Of lesions with HPs, OCT-thin-cap fibroatheroma (SAP 14.4%, STE-AC43.8%, NSTE-ACS 16.7%, p=0.03), plaque rupture (5.3%; 37.5%; 11.1%, p&lt;0.001) and thrombus (6.6%, 75.0%, 22.2%, p=0.007) were more frequently observed in STE-ACS than in SAP patients, whereas OCT-microvessels were more frequent in SAP than in ACS patients (19.7%, 0.0%, 0.0%, p=0.02). Other OCT findings such as macrophages, cholesterol crystal, multiple layered phenotype, and %-AS were not significantly different according to the clinical status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the angiography-eccentric lesions (odds ratio (OR): 2.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.68–5.25, p&lt;0.001) and OCT macrophages (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.36–4.27, p=0.003) as independent related factors for the existence of HPs. Conclusions The present study showed that HPs lesions had eccentric and large plaque burden, and persistent plaque inflammations regardless of clinical status, which might lead to future coronary events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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