Dataset Information

Carotid Plaque Lipid Content and Fibrous Cap Status Predict Systemic CV Outcomes: The MRI Substudy in AIM-HIGH.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to investigate whether and what carotid plaque characteristics predict systemic cardiovascular outcomes in patients with clinically established atherosclerotic disease. BACKGROUND:Advancements in atherosclerosis imaging have allowed assessment of various plaque characteristics, some of which are more directly linked to the pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular events compared to plaque burden. METHODS:As part of the event-driven clinical trial AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low HDL/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes), subjects with clinically established atherosclerotic disease underwent multicontrast carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect plaque tissue composition and high-risk features. Prospective associations between MRI measurements and the AIM-HIGH primary endpoint (fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and symptom-driven revascularization) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards survival models. RESULTS:Of the 232 subjects recruited, 214 (92.2%) with diagnostic image quality constituted the study population (82% male, mean age 61 ± 9 years, 94% statin use). During median follow-up of 35.1 months, 18 subjects (8.4%) reached the AIM-HIGH endpoint. High lipid content (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD increase in percent lipid core volume: 1.57; p = 0.002) and thin/ruptured fibrous cap (HR: 4.31; p = 0.003) in carotid plaques were strongly associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint. Intraplaque hemorrhage had a low prevalence (8%) and was marginally associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint (HR: 3.00; p = 0.053). High calcification content (HR per 1 SD increase in percent calcification volume: 0.66; p = 0.20), plaque burden metrics, and clinical risk factors were not significantly associated with the AIM-HIGH endpoint. The associations between carotid plaque characteristics and the AIM-HIGH endpoint changed little after adjusting for clinical risk factors, plaque burden, or AIM-HIGH randomized treatment assignment. CONCLUSIONS:Among patients with clinically established atherosclerotic disease, carotid plaque lipid content and fibrous cap status were strongly associated with systemic cardiovascular outcomes. Markers of carotid plaque vulnerability may serve as novel surrogate markers for systemic atherothrombotic risk.

SUBMITTER: Sun J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5347460 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Carotid Plaque Lipid Content and Fibrous Cap Status Predict Systemic CV Outcomes: The MRI Substudy in AIM-HIGH.

Sun Jie J Zhao Xue-Qiao XQ Balu Niranjan N Neradilek Moni B MB Isquith Daniel A DA Yamada Kiyofumi K Cantón Gádor G Crouse John R JR Anderson Todd J TJ Huston John J O'Brien Kevin K Hippe Daniel S DS Polissar Nayak L NL Yuan Chun C Hatsukami Thomas S TS

JACC. Cardiovascular imaging 20170301 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of this study was to investigate whether and what carotid plaque characteristics predict systemic cardiovascular outcomes in patients with clinically established atherosclerotic disease.<h4>Background</h4>Advancements in atherosclerosis imaging have allowed assessment of various plaque characteristics, some of which are more directly linked to the pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular events compared to plaque burden.<h4>Methods</h4>As part of the event-driven clinical ...[more]

PMID: 28279371

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIntraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is associated with plaque progression and ischemic events, and plaque lipid content (% lipid core) predicts the residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. This study examined the impact of IPH on lipid content change in the setting of intensive lipid-lowering therapy.MethodsIn total, 214 AIM-HIGH (Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome with Low High-Density Lipoprotein/High Triglycerides: Impact on Global Health Outcomes) participants with clinically established ASCVD and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol received cartoid MRI at baseline and 2 years to assess changes in carotid morphology and composition. Patients were randomized to extended-release niacin or placebo, and all received simvastatin with optional ezetimibe as necessary to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to 40 to 80 mg/dL. Changes in lipid content and carotid morphology were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Differences between subjects with and without IPH and between subjects assigned extended-release niacin or placebo were tested using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Linear regression was used to test the association of IPH and lipid content changes after adjusting for clinical risk factors.ResultsAmong 156 patients (61±9 years; 81% men) with complete MRI, prior statin use: <1 year, 26%; 1 to 5 years, 37%; >5 years, 37%. Triglycerides and ApoB decreased significantly, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and ApoA1 increased significantly over time. Plaque lipid content was significantly reduced (-0.5±2.4 %/year, P = 0.017) without a significant difference between the 2 treatment groups. However, the lipid content increased in plaques with IPH but regressed in plaques without IPH (1.2±2.5 %/year versus -1.0±2.2, P = 0.006). Additionally, IPH was associated with a decrease in lumen area (-0.4±0.9 mm2/year versus 0.3±1.4, P = 0.033). IPH remained significantly associated with increase in lipid content in multivariable analysis (54.4%, 95% CI: 26.8, 88.0, P < 0.001).ConclusionsCarotid plaques under continued intensive lipid-lowering therapy moved toward stabilization. However, plaques with IPH showed greater increases in lipid content and greater decreases in lumen area than plaques without IPH.RegistrationURL: https://www.Clinicaltrialsgov; Unique identifier: NCT01178320.

Project description:BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Techniques to stratify subgroups of patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease are urgently needed to guide decisions on optimal treatment. Reliance on estimates of % luminal stenosis has not been effective, perhaps because that approach entirely disregards potentially important information on the pathological process in the wall of the artery. METHODS:Since plaque lipid is a key determinant of plaque behaviour we used a newly validated, high-sensitivity T2-mapping MR technique for a systematic survey of the quantity and distribution of plaque lipid in patients undergoing endarterectomy. Lipid percentage was quantified in 50 carotid endarterectomy patients. Lipid distribution was tested, using two imaging indices (contribution of the largest lipid deposit towards total lipid (LLD %) and a newly-developed LAI 'lipid aggregation index'). RESULTS:The bifurcation contained maximal lipid volume. Lipid percentage was higher in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients with degree of stenosis (DS ? 50%) and in the total cohort (P = 0.013 and P = 0.005, respectively). Both LLD % and LAI was higher in symptomatic patients (P = 0.028 and P = 0.018, respectively), suggesting that for a given plaque lipid volume, coalesced deposits were more likely to be associated with symptomatic events. There was no correlation between plaque volume or lipid content and degree of luminal stenosis measured on ultrasound duplex (r = -0.09, P = 0.53 and r = -0.05, P = 0.75), respectively. However, there was a strong correlation in lipid between left and right carotid arteries (r = 0.5, P <0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Plaque lipid content and distribution is associated with symptomatic status of the carotid plaque. Importantly, plaque lipid content was not related to the degree of luminal stenosis assessed by ultrasound. Determination of plaque lipid content may prove useful for stratification of asymptomatic patients, including selection of optimal invasive treatments.

Project description:BackgroundCommon carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), as measured by ultrasound, has utility in stratification of the accelerated cardiovascular risk seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the technique has limitations. Carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emerging as a useful research tool in the general population, but has yet to be applied in RA populations. Our objectives were to describe the utility of carotid artery MRI (carotid-MRI) in patients with RA in comparison to healthy controls and to describe the association with RA disease phenotype.MethodsSixty-four patients with RA and no history of cardiovascular (CV) disease/diabetes mellitus were assessed for RA and CV profile, including homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). All underwent carotid-MRI (3 T), and were compared to 24 healthy controls. Univariable analysis (UVA) and multivariable linear regression models (MVA) were used to determine associations between disease phenotype and carotid-MRI measures.ResultsThere were no significant differences in carotid arterial wall measurements between patients with RA and controls. Wall and luminal volume correlated with 10-year CV risk scores (adjusted as per 2017 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidance); rho?=?0.33 (p?=?0.012) and rho?=?0.35 (p?=?0.008), respectively, for Joint British Societies-2 risk score. In UVA, carotid-MRI volumetric measures predominantly were associated with traditional CV risk factors including age, ever-smoking and HOMA-IR (p?<?0.05). Lower body mass index was associated with wall maximum thickness (r?=?-?0.25 p?=?0.026). In MVA, age was independently associated with wall volume (B 1.13 (95% CI 0.32, 1.93), p?=?0.007) and luminal volume (B 3.69 (95% CI 0.55, 6.83, p?=?0.022), and RA disease duration was associated with luminal volume (B 3.88 (95% CI 0.80, 6.97), p?=?0.015).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the utility of carotid-MRI in RA, reporting an association between three-dimensional measures in particular and CV risk scores, individual traditional CV risk factors and RA disease duration. Carotid-MRI in RA is a promising research tool in the investigation of CVD.

Dataset Information

Carotid Plaque Lipid Content and Fibrous Cap Status Predict Systemic CV Outcomes: The MRI Substudy in AIM-HIGH.

Publications

Carotid Plaque Lipid Content and Fibrous Cap Status Predict Systemic CV Outcomes: The MRI Substudy in AIM-HIGH.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets