Phenotyping coronary plaque by computed tomography in premature coronary artery disease
Authors' conclusion
Coronary atherosclerosis in individuals with premature CAD is characterized by a high and predominant burden of non-calcified plaque and unusual high prevalence of HRP, contributing to disease progression with multiple recurrences.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive individuals undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) (n = 1552 screened)348 vs 167 plaques
- Participants
- 106 vs 106
- Comparison
- Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) vs matched controls free of overt CVD
- Premature CADn = 106
- Controlsn = 106reference
- Outcome
- Coronary plaque characteristics on CCTA (plaque composition, high-risk plaque features)
Methodological detailsmatched by age, sex, smoking status, CV heredity and dyslipidaemia
- Matched by age, sex, smoking status, CV heredity and dyslipidaemia
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Plaque characteristics (prevalence per individual)
Non-calcified plaques
P < 0.001
Spotty calcification
P < 0.001
Positive remodelling
P < 0.001
Low attenuation
P < 0.001
Napkin-ring sign
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Number of HRP per individual
P < 0.001
- High-risk plaque (HRP) by ischaemic recurrence (premature CAD subgroup): Ischaemic recurrence 4.3 (SD 3.9) HRP
- HRP by ischaemic recurrence (premature CAD subgroup): No ischaemic recurrence 1.5 (SD 1.9) HRP
- HRP by ischaemic recurrence (premature CAD subgroup): recurrence n = 24; mostly non-calcified with low attenuation and positive remodelling
Original publication
Phenotyping coronary plaque by computed tomography in premature coronary artery disease. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 19 August 2023. doi:10.
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