Association of high-density lipoprotein levels and carotid atherosclerotic plaque characteristics by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailed information on carotid atherosclerotic plaque size and composition. The purpose of this study was to correlate HDL levels with carotid plaque burden and composition by MRI. Thirty-four patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) receiving simvastatin plus niacin or placebo for both drugs for three years were randomly selected to undergo MRI of carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaque wall volumes (WVs) and plaque components including lipid rich/necrotic core (LR/NC), calcium, fibrous tissue, and loose matrix were measured. Mean WV or atherosclerotic burden was significantly associated with total HDL-C levels (r = -0.39, P = 0.02), HDL(2) (r = -0.36, P = 0.03), HDL(3) (r = -0.34, P = 0.04), and LDL/HDL ratio (r = 0.42, P = 0.02). Plaque lipid composition or LR/NC was significantly associated with HDL(3) (r = -0.68, P = 0.02). Patients with low HDL levels (<or=35 mg/dL) had increased WV (97 +/- 23 vs. 81 +/- 19 mm(3), P = 0.05) compared with patients with HDL levels > 35 mg/dL. Among CAD patients, low HDL-C levels were significantly associated with increased carotid atherosclerotic plaque burden and lipid content by MRI.

A prospective evaluation of C-reactive protein in the progression of carotid artery stenosis

“…Another area of developing research is the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining carotid plaque morphology, and determining risk associated with morphologic changes. 21 Zhao et al has demonstrated the modification of carotid plaque morphology measured by MRI utilizing lipid lowering agents. 22 Future analyses would be needed to determine if CRP was an appropriate screening test to identify patients with asymptomatic carotid lesions that could benefit from MRI imaging and directed therapy.…”

Lower extremity peripheral vein bypass graft wall thickness changes demonstrated at 1 and 6 months after surgery with ultra-high spatial resolution black blood inner volume three-dimensional fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging

“…Because of the inherent soft tissue contrast, MRI is desirable as a research tool to describe and possibly separate small changes representing the normal physiology versus changes that will ultimately lead to disease requiring intervention [11]. However, to detect early change in thin vein grafts, current clinically available pulse sequences have limitations primarily related to the tradeoff between spatial resolution, scan time, and signal-to-noise.…”

Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Detection of Vulnerable Plaques

“…High-HDL cholesterol levels are associated with reduced plaque burden, whereas LDL promotes the disease. 21 Second, their small size (≈10 nm) enables them to penetrate the vessel wall more easily than LDL. This led to the development of a vast array of HDL-based contrast agents.…”