Honda S, et al. – This study scrutinized the link between serum lipids and near–infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)–detected changes in coronary plaque lipid burden. Findings revealed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) changes, but not other lipids parameters, were related to changes in coronary plaque lipid burden assessed by NIRS and showed potential therapeutic importance on serial change in plaque composition.

Methods

• Researchers performed serial NIRS-intravascular ultrasound studies in 49 patients who underwent coronary angiography for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable ischemic symptoms.
• They applied univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses to assess the link between serum lipid parameters and change in lipid core burden index at the 4-mm maximal segment (max LCBI_4mm).

Results

• Findings demonstrated that mean patient age was 61 ± 9 y, 29% were women, 35% had an ACS clinical presentation, 78% received statin therapy at baseline, and median low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 101, 43, 174 and 133 mg/dL, respectively.
• Researchers observed that during a median follow-up period of 13 months, max LCBI_4mm significantly decreased from 277 to 194 (p = 0.001).
• Data revealed that, on univariable analysis, the percent change in HDL-C negatively associated with the change in max LCBI_4mm (β = -3.19, p = 0.004).
• They also noted that there were no significant associations between the other lipid parameters and change in max LCBI_4mm.
• In addition, on multivariable analysis, percent change in HDL-C remained significantly associated with the change in max LCBI_4mm (p = 0.002).