Compliance mismatch between stenotic and distal reference segment is associated with coronary artery disease instability

ObjectiveInflammation and structural factors such as a thin fibrous cap, positive remodeling and large lipid pool have been established as factors associated with coronary plaque instability. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that the differential in coronary artery compliance between stenotic and adjacent arterial segments is another factor associated with unstable coronary disease.MethodsForty-one patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention were classified as unstable coronary syndrome (n = 19) or stable angina (n = 22). Intravascular ultrasound was used to assess external elastic lamina (EEL) cross-sectional area at diastole and systole. Aortic pressure was determined from the coronary guiding catheter. Coronary cross-sectional compliance (C) was calculated as the quotient of systolic-to-diastolic area differential and pulse pressure. C was measured within the stenosis and the adjacent reference segments.ResultsEEL cross-sectional area was greater in systole than in diastole in the reference segments, but did not differ within the lesion site. C was greater in the distal reference than the stenotic segments (7.7 ± 13.1 vs. 0.0 ± 12.3 mm2 mmHg−1 × 103, p = 0.003). When dichotomized by clinical presentation, the distal-to-stenosis compliance difference was only significant in the unstable coronary syndrome group (stable: distal 4.1 ± 13.3 vs. stenosis –0.3 ± 13.2 mm2 mmHg−1 × 103, ANOVA p = 0.48; unstable: distal 11.9 ± 11.9 vs. stenosis 0.1 ± 11.6 mm2 mmHg−1 × 103, ANOVA p = 0.006, distal-to-stenosis difference p = 0.001).ConclusionsA difference between stenotic and distal reference segment coronary compliance was evident in unstable, but not stable coronary artery disease patients. Coronary compliance differential would increase cyclical forces in the plaque shoulder region, which may contribute to plaque disruption.