OCT Assessment of Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma Distribution in Native Coronary Arteries

• Published in: JACC. Cardiovascular imaging 2010-02, Vol.3 (2), p.168-175
• Main Authors: Fujii, Kenichi, MD, Kawasaki, Daizo, MD, Masutani, Motomaru, MD, Okumura, Takahiro, MD, Akagami, Takafumi, MD, Sakoda, Tsuyoshi, MD, Tsujino, Takeshi, MD, Ohyanagi, Mitsumasa, MD, Masuyama, Tohru, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Angina Pectoris - etiology; Angina Pectoris - pathology; Cardiovascular; Chi-Square Distribution; Coronary Artery Disease - complications; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease - pathology; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Disease Progression; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - etiology; Myocardial Infarction - pathology; Observer Variation; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Rupture; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, Optical Coherence
• ISSN: 1936-878X; 1876-7591
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.11.004

Objectives We evaluated the geographic distribution of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) in the coronary arteries using optical coherence tomography (OCT), a high-resolution imaging modality. Background Plaque rupture is the most frequent cause of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It has been recognized that TCFA is the primary plaque type at the site of plaque rupture. Methods We performed 3-vessel OCT examinations in 55 patients: 35 AMI and 20 stable angina pectoris patients. The criteria for TCFA in an OCT image was a lipid-rich plaque with fibrotic cap thickness