Neovascularization in Atherosclerotic Plaques: Clinical Implications, Detection, and Prevention Strategies.

Following the global increase in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, the demand for the effective identification of high-risk factors that lead to atherosclerotic plaque rupture and the search for new therapeutic targets has also increased. Neovascularization within plaques is widely recognized as an important indicator of plaque vulnerability. Thus, the timely detection of neovascularization within plaques and early intervention treatment can help reduce the potential adverse cardiovascular events caused by plaque rupture.

Study on the association between neovascularization of culprit lesions and plaque rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Neovascularization (NV) within plaques is widely recognized as an important indicator of plaque vulnerability; however, the relationship between NV and plaque rupture in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been extensively evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between NV of culprit lesions and plaque rupture in patients with AMI.

Methods: This study included 384 patients diagnosed with AMI.

Relationship and prognostic value of the triglyceride-glucose index and optical coherence tomography-derived physiological index in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The optical flow ratio (OFR), derived from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, serves as a physiological index, while the Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG) is an alternative measure of insulin resistance. Both indices are positively correlated with poor prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but the relationship between the TyG index, OFR, and their prognostic value remains unclear. We included ACS patients who underwent OCT between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.

Peri-coronary adipose tissue attenuation and its association with plaque vulnerability and clinical outcomes in coronary artery disease using combined CCTA and OCT.

Vascular inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques, driving their progression from a stable to an unstable phenotype. Previous research has identified a relationship between peri-coronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation, as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and the degree of coronary inflammation, which is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality. Nevertheless, the interplay between PCAT attenuation, as determined by CCTA, and plaque characterization via optical coherence tomography (OCT), alongside clinical outcomes, remains inadequately explored.

Machine Learning-Based Immuno-Inflammatory Index Integrating Clinical Characteristics for Predicting Coronary Artery Plaque Rupture.

Background: Coronary artery plaque rupture (PR) is closely associated with immune-inflammatory responses. The systemic inflammatory index (SII) and the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) have shown potential in predicting the occurrence of PR.

Objective: This study aims to establish a machine learning (ML) model that integrates baseline patient characteristics, SII, and SIRI to predict PR.

Prognostic implications of quantitative flow ratio and optical coherence tomography-guided neointimal characteristics in drug-coated balloon treatment for in-stent restenosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between quantitative flow ratio (QFR) after drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment for in-stent restenosis (ISR) and between neointimal characteristics assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical outcomes. This single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study included ISR patients who underwent DCB angioplasty under OCT guidance. The primary outcome of the study was a target vessel failure (TVF), defined as a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries evaluated by optical coherence tomography.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms and prognosis. In recent years, it has been found that the incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events in MINOCA is similar to that of myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease (MI-CAD), and it is difficult to clarify the pathogenesis of both through coronary angiography (CAG). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features, plaque characteristics and prognosis of patients with MINOCA and MI-CAD through optical coherence tomography (OCT).

In vivo Predictors of Focal Type In-Stent Restenosis: A Clinical, Angiographical, and Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Introduction: Few studies have evaluated different patterns of in-stent restenosis by optical coherence tomography (OCT). This study aimed to identify in vivo predictors for focal restenosis in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Methods: The study recruited patients with ISR who underwent OCT examination in the Cardiology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from October 2018 to December 2022.

Intravascular imaging and functional assessment for coronary in-stent restenosis: Current status and future directions.

Despite significant advancements in drug-eluting stent technology, in-stent restenosis (ISR) still occurs in approximately 10 % of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, remaining a significant global health concern. The mechanisms underlying ISR are complex and multifactorial, yet recent innovations in intravascular imaging and functional assessment have substantially advanced our understanding, enabling more targeted and personalized therapies. This review synthesizes the latest insights into ISR, emphasizing the pivotal roles of advanced imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound, and functional assessments like quantitative flow ratio and optical flow ratio in guiding ISR management.

Predictive models for cholesterol crystals and plaque vulnerability in acute myocardial infarction: Insights from an optical coherence tomography study.

Background: Cholesterol crystals (CCs) are recognized as a risk factor for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque rupture (PR) and major adverse cardiovascular events. However, their predictive factors and association with plaque vulnerability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain insufficiently explored. Therefore, This study aims to investigate the association between CCs and plaque vulnerability in culprit lesions of AMI patients, identify the factors influencing CCs formation, and develop a predictive model for CCs.

LPS induces RGS-1 to promote infectious intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture by accelerating smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching.

Objective: Patients with infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) have high mortality rates. Sepsis is an important condition that induces IIA. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching may have a critical effect on sepsis-induced IIA, but its role remains unclear.

Systemic immune inflammation index is associated with in-stent neoatherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability: An optical coherence tomography study.

Background: In-stent neoatherosclerosis (ISNA) is identified as the primary cause of in-stent restenosis (ISR). The systemic immune inflammation index (SII), shows promise for predicting post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) adverse cardiovascular events and is associated with coronary stenosis severity; however, its specific relationship with ISNA remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the SII and ISNA after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Non-target lesion progression: Unveiling critical predictors and outcomes in patients with in-stent restenosis.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become the primary treatment for coronary artery disease. However, while PCI effectively addresses severe stenosis or occlusive lesions in target vessels, the progression of non-target vessel plaque remains a critical determinant of long-term patient prognosis.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of non-target vascular plaque progression on prognosis after PCI for ISR.

Machine Learning Constructed Based on Patient Plaque and Clinical Features for Predicting Stent Malapposition: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Stent malapposition (SM) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction continues to present significant clinical challenges. In recent years, machine learning (ML) models have demonstrated potential in disease risk stratification and predictive modeling.

Hypothesis: ML models based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, laboratory tests, and clinical characteristics can predict the occurrence of SM.

Comparison of Neoatherosclerosis and Neovascularization of Restenosis after Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Background: Neoatherosclerosis (NA) is associated with stent failure. However, systematic studies on the manifestations of NA and neovascularization (NV) at different stages after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation are lacking. Moreover, the relationship between NA and NV in in-stent restenosis (ISR) has not been reported.

Thin-cap fibroatheroma in acute coronary syndrome: Implication for intravascular imaging assessment.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a significant cardiovascular disease threat, has garnered increased focus concerning its etiological mechanisms. Thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) are central to ACS pathogenesis, characterized by lipid-rich plaques, profuse foam cells, cholesterol crystals, and fragile fibrous caps predisposed to rupture. While TCFAs may be latent and asymptomatic, their pivotal role in ACS risk is undeniable.

Association between periprocedural myocardial injury and neointimal characteristics in patients with in-stent restenosis: an optical coherence tomography study.

Background: The relationship between neointimal characteristics of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PMI and neointimal characteristics of ISR by using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: This was a retrospective study.

Morphological characteristics of in-stent restenosis with different degrees of area stenosis: an optical coherence tomography study.

The morphological characteristics of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in relation to varying degrees of area stenosis have not been comprehensively examined. This study aimed to explore the tissue characteristics of patients experiencing ISR with different degrees of area stenosis through the utilization of optical coherence tomography (OCT). In total, 230 patients with ISR who underwent OCT were divided into the following three groups: area stenosis (AS) < 70% (n = 26); 70-80% (n = 119) and AS ≥ 80% (n = 85).

Association of LDL-C level with neoatherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability in patients with late restenosis: an optical coherence tomography study.

Neoatherosclerosis (NA) is a significant contributor to late stent failure; however, predictors of late in-stent restenosis (ISR) with NA have not been systematically reported. This study aimed to identify predictors of NA incidence and plaque vulnerability in patients with late ISR and the role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in this process. A total of 216 patients with 216 lesions who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) before interventional procedure for late drug-eluting stent ISR were enrolled and divided into NA and non-NA groups based on OCT findings.

Association of the monocytes to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with in-stent neoatherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability: An optical coherence tomography study.

Background: Monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, the association between MHR and the incidence of in-stent neoatherosclerosis (ISNA) remains to be validated.

Methods: This study included 216 patients with acute coronary syndrome who had 220 ISR lesions and had undergone optical coherence tomography (OCT).