This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 105/8/939    most recent hc0802.104327v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Varnava, A. M. Articles by Davies, M. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Varnava, A. M. Articles by Davies, M. J. Pubmed/NCBI databases Substance via MeSH Medline Plus Health Information Coronary Artery Disease Related Collections Remodeling Pathophysiology Mechanism of atherosclerosis/growth factors

(Circulation. 2002;105:939.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.

Clinical Investigation and Reports

Relationship Between Coronary Artery Remodeling and Plaque Vulnerability

Amanda M. Varnava, MD, MRCP; Peter G. Mills, MD, FRCP; Michael J. Davies, MD, FRCP, FRCPath

From the Department of Cardiology, London Chest Hospital (A.M.V., P.G.M.), and the British Heart Foundation Department of Cardiovascular Pathology (M.J.D.), St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK.

Correspondence to Dr A. Varnava, Department of Cardiology, London Chest Hospital, Bonner Road, London E29JX, UK. E-mail avarnava{at}sghms.ac.uk

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Background— In vivo studies with intravascular ultrasound have shown that complex plaque anatomy and plaque rupture are more frequent in the presence of marked outward remodeling. A large lipid core and a high macrophage count are recognized histological markers for plaque vulnerability. The link between plaque vulnerability in terms of these markers and remodeling in coronary arteries has not been explored.

Methods and Results— In 88 male subjects who died suddenly with coronary artery disease, 108 plaques were studied. The percent remodeling was calculated. Lesions with remodeling 0% were considered to have positive remodeling, and those in which remodeling was <0% were considered to have negative remodeling. Percent lipid core and macrophage count at the plaque were assessed. Of 108 plaque sites, 64 (59.2%) had undergone no remodeling or positive remodeling, and 44 (40.7%) had negative remodeling (vessel shrinkage). Lesions with positive remodeling, compared with lesions with vessel shrinkage, had a larger lipid core (percent mean lipid core was 39.0±21.0% versus 22.3±23.1%, respectively; P<0.0001) and a higher macrophage count (mean macrophage count was 15.6±12.3 versus 8.9±11.6, respectively; P=0.005).

Conclusions— We have shown that coronary artery plaques with positive remodeling have a higher lipid content and macrophage count, both markers of plaque vulnerability. These results may explain why plaque rupture is often apparent at sites with only modest luminal stenoses (but marked positive remodeling).

Key Words: coronary disease • remodeling • plaque

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
It is now clear that coronary arteries may respond to plaque growth by either outward expansion of the vessel wall (positive remodeling)^1,2 or vessel shrinkage (negative remodeling).^3–5 There is evidence to suggest that positive remodeling may be advantageous (providing benefit in terms of avoiding luminal stenosis) but also harmful in that marked compensatory remodeling may make the plaque more vulnerable to rupture.^6–8 In contrast, lesions with negative remodeling may be associated with higher grade stenoses^5,9 but may appear more stable.

A large lipid core and a high macrophage count are recognized histological markers for plaque vulnerability.^10,11 The link between plaque vulnerability in terms of these markers and remodeling in human coronary arteries has not yet been explored. Therefore, we set out to determine the relationship between plaque composition (examining lipid core size and macrophage count as indicators of the risk of a plaque undergoing rupture) and coronary artery remodeling.

In addition, we set out to test the hypothesis that negative remodeling is associated with an increase in constrictive adventitial fibrosis and thickening. Therefore, we investigated the vessel wall characteristics both in the plaque-free segment of the vessel wall and in the vessel wall behind the plaque to better characterize the histological differences between coronary artery lesions with positive versus negative remodeling.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Histopathology
Hearts were obtained at postmortem examination from 88 male patients who died suddenly and in whom no cause of death other than coronary artery disease was detectable by detailed autopsy, including toxicology. All hearts were perfusion-fixed at physiological pressure with 10% buffered formalin. After dissecting out the 3 major epicardial vessels, the tissue was decalcified in formic acid on tissue blocks taken in the transverse plane every 3 mm through the artery. Tissue was prepared for histology in a standard manner and stained with Sirius red. Immunohistochemistry was performed to enable visualization of macrophages by the expression of CD68 (Dako). Because of the problems of measuring plaque size at sites of acute thrombosis, all sites of plaque rupture were excluded, and examination was confined to discrete fibrolipid plaques in which an adjacent, plaque-free, histologically normal segment was available as a reference site.

All measurements were made by computerized planimetry, and each plaque was examined at the point of maximum plaque size. For each target segment, the following measurements were made: the area circumscribed by the external elastic lamina (the total vessel cross sectional area [CSA]), the area bordered by the intima (luminal area), and the area occupied by plaque. In addition, each plaque was stained with Sirius red and examined under polarized light (in which collagenous tissue is seen as black) by using the Optomax automated system (AMS Cambridge). The lipid core (noncollagenous and, therefore, seen as white) was quantified as a percentage of the total plaque size.

Reference CSA and luminal areas were measured at the nearest proximal and distal segments judged to be free of plaque, and a mean value was calculated. For each plaque, the arc of the vessel circumference that was free of disease was measured in millimeters.

The percent luminal stenosis was calculated as follows: [1-(luminal area at plaque/mean of the reference luminal area)]x100%. Thus, positive values reflect luminal narrowing, and negative values reflect luminal dilatation (eg, in coronary ectasia or aneurysm formation). Percent vessel remodeling was calculated as follows: [(CSA at plaque-mean of the reference CSA)/mean of the reference CSA]x100%. Plaque sites in which vessel remodeling was 0% were considered to have positive remodeling, and those in which remodeling was <0% were considered to have negative remodeling.

Because plaque size varies with vessel size and thus larger vessels tend to have larger plaques, we corrected for vessel size and expressed this as plaque burden, for which percent plaque burden was calculated as follows: (plaque area/CSA at plaque)x100%. To assess the relative contribution of the lipid core to plaque area, a percentage was derived; thus, percent lipid core=(lipid core area in millimeters squared/plaque area in millimeters squared)x100.

The arc of normal vessel for each plaque site (eccentricity index) was calculated as follows: (plaque free arc/total vessel circumference)x360°. Thus, the greater the eccentricity index, the more eccentric is the plaque. Lesions in which the arc of normal (plaque-free) vessel was 0° were considered to have circumferential plaque involvement, and those with an arc of normal vessel >0° were defined as eccentric plaques.

Medial and adventitial wall thicknesses were measured at the reference site, and at 2 points at the plaque site (behind the plaque and at the vessel wall opposite the plaque), 3 values were measured for each, and a mean value was taken. In the case of concentric plaques, measurements were made at the arc with the most plaque bulk and at the arc of the vessel with the least plaque. To assess the change in medial or adventitial wall thickness with plaque development, medial and adventitial wall thicknesses at the plaque site were adjusted for reference site measurements; thus, change in medial or adventitial wall thickness at the plaque site equals medial-adventitial wall thickness at the plaque site minus reference medial-adventitial wall thickness (in millimeters).

A quantitative assessment was made of the total macrophage number within the plaque. Within the adventitia, a semiquantitative count was made of the small cell infiltrate (lymphocytes and neutrophils) behind the plaque and of the vessel wall opposite the plaque; thus, 0 indicates no staining; 1, minor staining; 2, moderate staining; and 3, deep staining.

Statistical Analysis
All data are presented as mean±SD values. Data were analyzed by an independent t test and by correlation and regression analysis with the use of the SPSS statistical program, version 6.0. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
Histologically normal reference sites were found for 108 lesions. The mean percent luminal stenosis was 48.9±20.6%.

Positive Versus Negative Remodeling
Of 108 plaque sites, 64 (59.2%) had undergone no remodeling or positive remodeling, and 44 (40.7%) had undergone negative remodeling (vessel shrinkage). A comparison of the plaque features for those sites with positive versus negative remodeling is shown in Table 1.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Pathological Characteristics of Lesions With Negative Versus Positive Remodeling

Lesions with positive remodeling, compared with lesions with vessel shrinkage, had a larger lipid core (mean lipid core was 39.0±21.0% versus 22.3±23.1%, respectively; P<0.0001) and a higher macrophage count (mean macrophage count was 15.6±12.3 versus 8.9±11.6, respectively; P=0.005) (see Table 1 and Figures 1 and 2).

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Bar chart showing percent lipid core in lesions with negative vs positive remodeling. Error bars show 95.0% CI of mean; bars show means.

View larger version (19K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Bar chart showing macrophage count in lesions with negative vs positive remodeling. Error bars show 95.0% CI of mean; bars show means.

Lesions with negative remodeling had significantly greater luminal stenoses and a significantly more circumferential distribution of plaque (lower eccentricity index) than did lesions in which there had been positive remodeling (see Table 1).

Lesions with negative remodeling had significantly greater thinning of the medial and adventitial wall opposite the plaque (mean change in medial wall thickness -86±63.9 mm versus -37.2±54.1 mm, P<0.0001; mean adventitial wall change -57.4±92.4 mm versus 1.3±88.1 mm, P=0.001) and a trend toward greater adventitial thickening behind the plaque (mean change in adventitial wall thickness 174.4±93.0 versus 143.9±107.2 mm, P=0.1). There were no significant differences between lesions with negative or positive remodeling regarding medial wall changes behind the plaque (see Table 1).

There was greater inflammatory activity at the adventitial aspect of lesions with positive remodeling than of lesions with vessel shrinkage (see Table 2); however, significance was not achieved.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 2. Comparison of Remodeling as a Continuous Variable Versus the Other Pathological Characteristics Assessed

Eccentric Versus Concentric Plaques
Plaque distribution was eccentric in 56 lesions and concentric in 52 lesions. Concentric plaques, compared with eccentric lesions, had significantly greater luminal stenoses (mean luminal stenosis 58.6±21.3% versus 39.9±15.1%, respectively; P<0.0001), lower lipid content (mean lipid core 27.2±25.0% versus 36.8±20.7%, respectively; P=0.03), and fewer macrophages (mean macrophage count 10.2±12.0 versus 15.4±12.3, respectively; P=0.03). Concentric lesions were associated with significantly greater medial and adventitial wall thinning at the segment of the vessel with the least plaque (mean change in medial wall thickness -106.8±50.1 mm versus -11.03±29.2 mm, P<0.0001; mean change in adventitial wall thickness -86.9±75.1 mm versus 37.1±66.5 mm, P<0.0001) and greater adventitial wall thickening behind the bulk of the plaque (mean increase in adventitial wall thickness 137.3±94.1 mm and 176.7±107.7 mm, P=0.04).

All Plaques
The correlation coefficients for vessel remodeling as continuous variables against the pathological features for both the reference and plaque sites are shown in Table 2. Vessel remodeling also correlated weakly, but significantly, with percent lipid core (r=0.4, P<0.0001) and with macrophage number (r=0.3, P=0.007).

There was a weak, but significant, relationship between the eccentricity index (arc of normal wall segment at the target site) and the degree of remodeling; thus, the more eccentric the distribution of plaque, the greater is the remodeling. Conversely, the more circumferential the distribution of plaque, the greater is the degree of vessel shrinkage.

Remodeling was correlated directly with thickening of both the medial and adventitial walls opposite the plaque (r=0.4, P<0.0001; r=0.3, P=0.001) and inversely with thickening of the adventitial wall behind the plaque (r=-0.3, P=0.02) (see Figure 3).

View larger version (21K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Scatterplot of vessel remodeling against change in adventitial wall thickness at the plaque.

Relationship Between Plaque Vulnerability, Plaque Size, and Luminal Stenosis
A direct relationship was seen between lipid core size and macrophage count (r=0.6, P<0.0001). No significant relation was seen between these histological markers of plaque vulnerability and either luminal stenosis or plaque burden.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 
In vivo studies using intravascular ultrasound have shown that complex plaque anatomy and plaque rupture are more frequent in the presence of marked outward remodeling.^6,7 It is also well established that plaques with a high lipid content are more vulnerable to rupture. This pathological study has now shown that coronary artery plaques that undergo positive remodeling have a significantly larger lipid core and a higher macrophage count than do those that undergo vessel shrinkage. Therefore, these findings explain the basis of plaque vulnerability at sites of excessive vessel remodeling and suggest a possible explanation for the apparent paradox of positive remodeling, which may be both beneficial (avoiding luminal stenosis) and harmful (promoting plaque vulnerability). The common link between compensatory remodeling and plaque rupture may center on macrophage-derived foam cell expression of the metalloproteinases (MMPs),¹² a group of proteins involved in cell matrix breakdown. Thus, plaques with a high lipid content and macrophage count might stimulate MMP production and allow outward remodeling at sites made vulnerable by the soft lipid core. In contrast, lesions with vessel shrinkage had a low index of vulnerability to plaque rupture in terms of a low lipid content and scanty macrophage count.

In line with previous in vivo studies using intravascular ultrasound,¹³ the present results have confirmed that vessel shrinkage is associated with a more circumferential distribution of plaque. This suggests that vessels that undergo shrinkage may do so because of circumferential stimulation to inward remodeling by the plaque. In contrast, lesions with positive remodeling and an eccentric distribution of plaque may undergo a more regionalized restructuring of the vessel wall, allowing outward expansion.

It has been postulated that shrinkage is the result of constricting adventitial fibrosis and thickening. Our results support this suggestion, inasmuch as an inverse relationship between adventitial wall thickening behind the plaque and vessel remodeling was seen. Thus, adventitial wall thickening increased with increasing vessel shrinkage.

We also found that lesions exhibiting vessel shrinkage had significantly greater medial and adventitial thinning of the vessel wall opposite the plaque that was consistent with the well-documented medial wall changes found in the atherosclerotic process.¹⁴ In contrast, lesions with positive remodeling exhibited less medial thinning of the vessel wall opposite the plaque and little change in the adventitial wall thickness. These results probably reflect the circumferential involvement of the medial and adventitial layers in lesions with negative remodeling (the vast majority of which have a circumferential distribution of plaque). In contrast, lesions with positive remodeling that have a mostly eccentric plaque distribution would retain an arc of the vessel wall that would remain uninvolved in the atherosclerotic process.

These findings have potential implications for the mechanisms that underlie arterial remodeling. It has been thought that positive remodeling largely occurs as a result of outward stretch of the vessel wall behind the plaque, as a direct response to the plaque release of MMPs. Certainly, some plaques are virtually extruded, giving an elliptical cross section (as seen in Figure 4). However, our results suggest an alternative model whereby an eccentric plaque might, in addition, stimulate outward vessel remodeling and stretch at the plaque-free arc of the vessel wall. In contrast, lesions with circumferential plaques would have no plaque-free vessel arc to allow for outward remodeling. Instead, the vessel wall would be completely involved in the atherosclerotic process. Thus, in this model, vessel shrinkage would represent the vessel wall response to plaque growth behind the plaque, whereas outward remodeling would be possible only in a disease-free arc.

View larger version (126K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Cross section of native coronary artery demonstrating eccentric plaque. Note that vessel lumen remains round, whereas total vessel cross section is distorted into an ellipse because of outward plaque growth.

Interestingly, there was a weak, but significant, relationship between remodeling and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate at the adventitial wall opposite the plaque. Furthermore, a trend was seen for greater inflammatory activity at the adventitial layer in lesions with positive remodeling than in lesions with vessel shrinkage. These results are rather surprising because vessel shrinkage has been considered the most likely response to adventitial inflammation. However, these results support a model in which outward vessel remodeling is a process active at the plaque-free arc of the target site, perhaps stimulated by the presence of a small cell infiltrate.

By examining only those plaques in which there is a histologically normal reference site available, we limited the number of plaques examined per patient. This may have led to a selection bias toward those lesions in which the atherosclerotic process is highly localized, in contrast to the clinical situation in which a diffuse atherosclerotic process is commonly seen along the whole vessel length. In addition, although we used the term histologically normal, it is possible that the very early changes of atherosclerosis that may lead to prestenotic/poststenotic dilatation may have been missed. If this is the case, then the number of lesions with vessel shrinkage may have been overestimated.

In contrast to in vivo studies, our present study revealed a significant difference between the reference CSA and luminal area between lesions with positive versus negative remodeling. We believe that these differences are due to the effect of prestenotic and/or poststenotic dilatation of the vessel adjacent to an area of plaque growth. This effect will be particularly marked in lesions with higher-grade stenoses (and, hence, more marked in lesions with vessel shrinkage, in which greater luminal stenosis is seen). Thus, the reference site CSA will be larger in lesions with negative rather than positive remodeling.

In summary, we have shown that coronary artery plaques with positive remodeling have a higher lipid content and macrophage count, which are both markers of plaque vulnerability. These results may explain why plaque rupture is often apparent at sites with only modest luminal stenoses.

Furthermore, we have shown that negative remodeling is associated with a circumferential plaque distribution and adventitial thickening behind this, whereas lesions with outward remodeling have eccentric plaques with less thinning of the media and adventitia in the plaque-free segment and a greater small cell infiltrate in the adventitia. These results suggest that positive remodeling may be due to the plaque-free segment of the vessel wall dilating around the fixed point of the plaque. In contrast, vessel shrinkage may be due to changes in the vessel wall behind the plaque.

Because postinterventional restenosis is characterized by vessel shrinkage, these results have significant clinical implications and might explain the apparent disparity between the relatively low mortality rate seen after intervention despite the high rate of recurrent morbidity in terms of chest pain. Thus, although angioplasty may render the patient more symptomatic because of the development of vessel shrinkage and restenosis, these patients will be relatively protected from plaque rupture because of the more stable nature of these restenotic lesions. More important, if we can detect those plaques that are at high risk of rupture, they may be considered targets for intervention. The addition of stenting to this regimen would further optimize the outcome by negating the legacy of vessel shrinkage and recurrent symptoms. Currently, there are no routinely available methods to identify such plaques, but recent work (eg, with thermodetection catheters) suggests that the development of these methods may not be far off.

Received August 31, 2001; revision received November 27, 2001; accepted December 21, 2001.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion References

 

1. Glagov S, Weisenberg E, Zarins CK, et al. Compensatory enlargement of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries. N Engl J Med. 1987; 316: 1371–1375.
   
2. McPherson DD, Sirna SJ, Hiratzka LF, et al. Coronary arterial remodeling studied by high-frequency epicardial echocardiography: an early compensatory mechanism in patients with obstructive coronary atherosclerosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1991; 17: 79–86.
   
3. Pasterkamp G, Wensing PJ, Post MJ, et al. Paradoxical arterial wall shrinkage may contribute to luminal narrowing of human atherosclerotic femoral arteries. Circulation. 1995; 91: 1444–1449.
   
4. Nishioka T, Luo H, Eigler NL, et al. Contribution of inadequate compensatory enlargement to development of human coronary artery stenosis: an in vivo intravascular ultrasound study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996; 27: 1571–1576.
   
5. Mintz GS, Kent KM, Pichard AD, et al. Contribution of inadequate arterial remodeling to the development of focal coronary artery stenoses: an intravascular ultrasound study. Circulation. 1997; 95: 1791–1798.
   
6. Smits PC, Pasterkamp G, de Jaegere PP, et al. Angioscopic complex lesions are predominantly compensatory enlarged: an angioscopy and intracoronary ultrasound study. Cardiovasc Res. 1999; 41: 458–464.
   
7. Schoenhagen P, Ziada KM, Kapadia SR, et al. Extent and direction of arterial remodeling in stable versus unstable coronary syndromes: an intravascular ultrasound study. Circulation. 2000; 101: 598–603.
   
8. Pasterkamp G, Schoneveld AH, van der Wal AC, et al. Relation of arterial geometry to luminal narrowing and histologic markers for plaque vulnerability: the remodeling paradox. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998; 32: 655–662.
   
9. Pasterkamp G, Wensing PJ, Hillen B, et al. Impact of local atherosclerotic remodeling on the calculation of percent luminal narrowing. Am J Cardiol. 1997; 79: 402–405.
   
10. Davies MJ, Richardson PD, Woolf N, et al. Risk of thrombosis in human atherosclerotic plaques: role of extracellular lipid, macrophage, and smooth muscle cell content. Br Heart J. 1993; 69: 377–381.
    
11. Moreno PR, Falk E, Palacios IF, et al. Macrophage infiltration in acute coronary syndromes: implications for plaque rupture. Circulation. 1994; 90: 775–778.
    
12. Rajagopalan S, Meng XP, Ramasamy S, et al. Reactive oxygen species produced by macrophage-derived foam cells regulate the activity of vascular matrix metalloproteinases in vitro. J Clin Invest. 1996; 98: 2572–2579.
    
13. von Birgelen C, Mintz GS, de Vrey EA, et al. Atherosclerotic coronary lesions with inadequate compensatory enlargement have smaller plaque and vessel volumes: observations with three dimensional intravascular ultrasound in vivo. Heart. 1998; 79: 137–142.
    
14. van der Wal AC, Becker AE, Das PK. Medial thinning and atherosclerosis: evidence for involvement of a local inflammatory effect. Atherosclerosis. 1993; 103: 55–64.
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. J. Duerinckx The Nonculprit Coronary Lesion as Seen by Coronary CT Angiography: What Should We Be Looking For? Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2008; 191(2): 439 - 440. [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. C. Raffel, F. M. Merchant, G. J. Tearney, S. Chia, D. D. Gauthier, E. Pomerantsev, K. Mizuno, B. E. Bouma, and I.-K. Jang In vivo association between positive coronary artery remodelling and coronary plaque characteristics assessed by intravascular optical coherence tomography Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2008; 29(14): 1721 - 1728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Vita, M. Holbrook, J. Palmisano, S. M. Shenouda, W. B. Chung, N. M. Hamburg, B. R. Eskenazi, L. Joseph, and O. M. Shapira Flow-Induced Arterial Remodeling Relates to Endothelial Function in the Human Forearm Circulation, June 17, 2008; 117(24): 3126 - 3133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Sawada, J. Shite, H. M. Garcia-Garcia, T. Shinke, S. Watanabe, H. Otake, D. Matsumoto, Y. Tanino, D. Ogasawara, H. Kawamori, et al. Feasibility of combined use of intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis and optical coherence tomography for detecting thin-cap fibroatheroma Eur. Heart J., May 1, 2008; 29(9): 1136 - 1146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I Sipahi, E M Tuzcu, K-W Moon, S J Nicholls, P Schoenhagen, J Zhitnik, T D Crowe, S Kapadia, and S E Nissen Do the extent and direction of arterial remodelling predict subsequent progression of coronary atherosclerosis? A serial intravascular ultrasound study Heart, May 1, 2008; 94(5): 623 - 627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Rossi, A. Nuzzo, G. Origliani, and M. G. Modena Prognostic role of flow-mediated dilation and cardiac risk factors in post-menopausal women. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 11, 2008; 51(10): 997 - 1002. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Rodriguez-Granillo, S. de Winter, N. Bruining, J. M.R. Ligthart, H. M. Garcia-Garcia, M. Valgimigli, P. J. de Feyter, and on behalf of the EUROPA/PERSPECTIVE Investigators Effect of perindopril on coronary remodelling: insights from a multicentre, randomized study Eur. Heart J., October 1, 2007; 28(19): 2326 - 2331. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Ohayon, O. Dubreuil, P. Tracqui, S. Le Floc'h, G. Rioufol, L. Chalabreysse, F. Thivolet, R. I. Pettigrew, and G. Finet Influence of residual stress/strain on the biomechanical stability of vulnerable coronary plaques: potential impact for evaluating the risk of plaque rupture Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2007; 293(3): H1987 - H1996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. White, S. J. Duffy, A. S. Walton, J. F. Ng, G. E. Rice, S. Mukherjee, J. A. Shaw, G. L. Jennings, A. M. Dart, and B. A. Kingwell Matrix metalloproteinase-3 and coronary remodelling: Implications for unstable coronary disease Cardiovasc Res, September 1, 2007; 75(4): 813 - 820. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Nakazawa, A. V Finn, and R. Virmani Virtual histology: does it add anything? Heart, August 1, 2007; 93(8): 897 - 898. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-F. Surmely, K. Nasu, H. Fujita, M. Terashima, T. Matsubara, E. Tsuchikane, M. Ehara, Y. Kinoshita, Y. Takeda, N. Tanaka, et al. Association of coronary plaque composition and arterial remodelling: a virtual histology analysis by intravascular ultrasound Heart, August 1, 2007; 93(8): 928 - 932. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. C. Raffel, G. J. Tearney, D. D. Gauthier, E. F. Halpern, B. E. Bouma, and I.-K. Jang Relationship Between a Systemic Inflammatory Marker, Plaque Inflammation, and Plaque Characteristics Determined by Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2007; 27(8): 1820 - 1827. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Motoyama, T. Kondo, M. Sarai, A. Sugiura, H. Harigaya, T. Sato, K. Inoue, M. Okumura, J. Ishii, H. Anno, et al. Multislice Computed Tomographic Characteristics of Coronary Lesions in Acute Coronary Syndromes J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 24, 2007; 50(4): 319 - 326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Saam, T. S. Hatsukami, N. Takaya, B. Chu, H. Underhill, W. S. Kerwin, J. Cai, M. S. Ferguson, and C. Yuan The Vulnerable, or High-Risk, Atherosclerotic Plaque: Noninvasive MR Imaging for Characterization and Assessment Radiology, July 1, 2007; 244(1): 64 - 77. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. S. Chatzizisis, A. U. Coskun, M. Jonas, E. R. Edelman, C. L. Feldman, and P. H. Stone Role of Endothelial Shear Stress in the Natural History of Coronary Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling: Molecular, Cellular, and Vascular Behavior J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 26, 2007; 49(25): 2379 - 2393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Schoenhagen Plaque Temperature, Arterial Remodeling, and Inflammation: Understanding "Hot-Spots" in the Coronary Arteries J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 12, 2007; 49(23): 2272 - 2273. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Toutouzas, A. Synetos, E. Stefanadi, S. Vaina, V. Markou, M. Vavuranakis, E. Tsiamis, D. Tousoulis, and C. Stefanadis Correlation Between Morphologic Characteristics and Local Temperature Differences in Culprit Lesions of Patients With Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 12, 2007; 49(23): 2264 - 2271. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.D. Hardie, C.M. Kramer, P. Raghavan, E. Baskurt, and K.R. Nandalur The Impact of Expansive Arterial Remodeling on Clinical Presentation in Carotid Artery Disease: A Multidetector CT Angiography Study AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., June 1, 2007; 28(6): 1067 - 1070. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. A. Jaffer, D.-E. Kim, L. Quinti, C.-H. Tung, E. Aikawa, A. N. Pande, R. H. Kohler, G.-P. Shi, P. Libby, and R. Weissleder Optical Visualization of Cathepsin K Activity in Atherosclerosis With a Novel, Protease-Activatable Fluorescence Sensor Circulation, May 1, 2007; 115(17): 2292 - 2298. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Amano, T. Matsubara, T. Uetani, M. Nanki, N. Marui, M. Kato, K. Arai, K. Yokoi, H. Ando, H. Ishii, et al. Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Tissue Characteristics of Angiographically Mild to Moderate Coronary Lesions: Integrated Backscatter Intravascular Ultrasound Study J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 20, 2007; 49(11): 1149 - 1156. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Waxman, F. Ishibashi, and J. E. Muller Detection and Treatment of Vulnerable Plaques and Vulnerable Patients: Novel Approaches to Prevention of Coronary Events Circulation, November 28, 2006; 114(22): 2390 - 2411. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. W. Klein Atherosclerosis Regression, Vascular Remodeling, and Plaque Stabilization J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 8, 2006; (2006) j.jacc.2006.10.039v1. [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Rodriguez-Granillo, H. M. Garcia-Garcia, M. Valgimigli, S. Vaina, C. van Mieghem, R. J. van Geuns, M. van der Ent, E. Regar, P. de Jaegere, W. van der Giessen, et al. Global characterization of coronary plaque rupture phenotype using three-vessel intravascular ultrasound radiofrequency data analysis Eur. Heart J., August 2, 2006; 27(16): 1921 - 1927. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Suzuki, M. Saito, T. Nagai, H. Saeki, and Y. Kazatani Systemic Versus Coronary Levels of Inflammation in Acute Coronary Syndromes Angiology, August 1, 2006; 57(4): 459 - 463. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O. Zschenker, T. Illies, and D. Ameis Overexpression of lysosomal Acid lipase and other proteins in atherosclerosis. J. Biochem., July 1, 2006; 140(1): 23 - 38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Silver and J. A. Vita Shear Stress-Mediated Arterial Remodeling in Atherosclerosis: Too Much of a Good Thing? Circulation, June 20, 2006; 113(24): 2787 - 2789. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Schoenhagen, E. M. Tuzcu, C. Apperson-Hansen, C. Wang, K. Wolski, S. Lin, I. Sipahi, S. J. Nicholls, W. A. Magyar, A. Loyd, et al. Determinants of Arterial Wall Remodeling During Lipid-Lowering Therapy: Serial Intravascular Ultrasound Observations From the Reversal of Atherosclerosis With Aggressive Lipid Lowering Therapy (REVERSAL) Trial Circulation, June 20, 2006; 113(24): 2826 - 2834. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Suzuki, M. Saito, T. Nagai, H. Saeki, and Y. Kazatani Prevention of Positive Coronary Artery Remodeling with Statin Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases Angiology, May 1, 2006; 57(3): 259 - 265. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. A.S. Cordeiro and J. A.C. Lima Atherosclerotic plaque characterization by multidetector row computed tomography angiography. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 18, 2006; 47(8 Suppl): C40 - C47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Madjid, J. T. Willerson, and S. W. Casscells Intracoronary Thermography for Detection of High-Risk Vulnerable Plaques. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 18, 2006; 47(8S): C80 - C85. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. von Birgelen, M. Hartmann, G. S. Mintz, D. Bose, H. Eggebrecht, T. Neumann, M. Gossl, H. Wieneke, A. Schmermund, M. G. Stoel, et al. Remodeling Index Compared to Actual Vascular Remodeling in Atherosclerotic Left Main Coronary Arteries as Assessed With Long-Term (>=12 Months) Serial Intravascular Ultrasound J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 4, 2006; 47(7): 1363 - 1368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G A Rodriguez-Granillo, P W Serruys, H M Garcia-Garcia, J Aoki, M Valgimigli, C A G van Mieghem, E McFadden, P P T de Jaegere, and P de Feyter Coronary artery remodelling is related to plaque composition Heart, March 1, 2006; 92(3): 388 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]