Gender-based in vivo comparison of culprit plaque characteristics and plaque microstructures using optical coherence tomography in acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Women perform worse after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) than men. The reason for these differences is unclear. The aim was to ascertain gender differences in the culprit plaque characteristics in ACS. Methods:Patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for the culprit vessel underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Culprit plaque was identified as lipid rich,fibrous, and calcific plaque. Mechanisms underlying ACS are classified as plaque rupture, erosion,or calcified nodule. A lipid rich plaque along with thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was a vulnerable plaque. Plaque microstructures including cholesterol crystals, macrophages, and microvessels were noted. Results: A total of 52 patients were enrolled (men=29 and women=23). Baseline demographic features were similar in both the groups except men largely were current smokers (P<0.001). Plaque morphology,men vs. women: lipid rich 88.0% vs. 90.5%; fibrous 4% vs 0%; calcific 8.0% vs. 9.5% (P = 0.64). Of the ACS mechanisms in males versus females; plaque rupture (76.9 % vs. 50 %), plaque erosion (15.4 % vs.40 %) and calcified nodule (7.7 % vs. 10 %) was noted (P = 0.139). Fibrous cap thickness was (50.19 ±11.17 vs. 49.00 ± 10.71 mm, P = 0.71) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (96.2% vs. 95.0%, P = 1.0) in men and women respectively. Likewise no significant difference in presence of macrophages (42.3 % vs. 30%, P = 0.76), microvessels (73.1% vs. 60 %, P = 0.52) and cholesterol crystals (92.3% vs. 80%, P = 0.38). Conclusion: No significant gender-based in-vivo differences could be discerned in ACS patients’ culprit plaques morphology, characteristics, and underlying mechanisms.

Posicionamento sobre Doença Isquêmica do Coração – A Mulher no Centro do Cuidado – 2023

“…Além disso, a OCT permite o esclarecimento de alguns mecanismos de agudização da doença coronariana não obstrutiva, como a dissecção, e corrobora achados que permitem diferenciar a doença coronariana entre os sexos. 258,259 O NIRS usa um cateter de fibra óptica com um padrão de absorção específico para lipídios e outros componentes da placa, que consegue melhorar a acurácia da identificação da placa aterosclerótica vulnerável. 67 Juntos, esses três métodos de imagem intravascular nos permitiram conhecer algumas diferenças nas características da aterosclerose e da DIC entre os sexos.…”

“…Mulheres têm menor carga de placa, a erosão é mais prevalente que a ruptura como mecanismo de agudização da DIC e observou-se maior concentração de cristais de colesterol e calcificação nas placas ateroscleróticas rotas. 67 , 259 …”

“…In addition, OCT enables the clarification of some mechanisms of nonobstructive coronary disease aggravation, such as dissection, and corroborates findings that differentiate coronary disease between sexes . 258 , 259 …”

“…In women, the plaque burden is lower, erosion is more prevalent than rupture as the mechanism of coronary artery disease aggravation, and there is a higher concentration of cholesterol crystals and calcification in ruptured atherosclerotic plaques. 67 , 259 …”