Optical coherence tomography detection of vulnerable plaques at high risk of developing acute coronary syndrome

The ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect plaques at high risk of developing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between non-culprit plaques characterized as both lipid-rich plaque (LRP) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) by OCT and the risk of subsequent ACS events at the lesion level.

In 1378 patients who underwent OCT, 3533 non-culprit plaques were analysed for the presence of LRP (maximum lipid arc > 180°) and TCFA (minimum fibrous cap thickness < 65 μm). The median follow-up period was 6 years [interquartile range (IQR): 5–9 years]. Seventy-two ACS arose from non-culprit plaques imaged by baseline OCT. ACS was more often associated with lipidic plaques that were characterized as both LRP and TCFA vs. lipidic plaques that did not have these characteristics [33% vs. 2%, hazard ratio 19.14 (95% confidence interval: 11.74–31.20), P < 0.001]. The sensitivity and specificity of the presence of both LRP and TCFA for predicting ACS was 38% and 97%, respectively. A larger maximum lipid arc [1.01° (IQR: 1.01–1.01°)], thinner minimum fibrous cap thickness [0.99 μm (IQR: 0.98–0.99 μm)], and smaller minimum lumen area [0.78 mm² (IQR: 0.67–0.90 mm²), P < 0.001] were independently associated with ACS.

Non-culprit plaques characterized by OCT as both LRP and TCFA were associated with an increased risk of subsequent ACS at the lesion level. Therefore, OCT might be able to detect vulnerable plaques.