Regression of coronary plaque after coronary artery bypass graft

SummaryA 62-year-old woman complained of sudden chest pain and 64-multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) was performed. The volume-rendered image showed severe stenosis of the left main coronary trunk artery (LMT). The mean density of the plaque was 32.4 hounsfield units (HU), which indicated soft plaque. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed significant focal stenosis of the LMT. Since the patient had experienced chest pain, and since focal stenosis of the LMT was demonstrated, lipid-lowering therapy using statin and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, right internal mammary artery-left anterior descending branch, left internal mammary artery-obtuse marginal branch) were applied. Three years after treatment, 64-MDCT showed mild stenosis and a regression of plaque in the LMT. The mean density of the plaque was 73.1 HU (intermediate plaque). CAG showed a degradation of CABG flow, in addition to mild stenosis of the LMT. In conclusion, lipid-lowering therapy with statins may stabilize soft coronary plaque. In addition, non-invasive MDCT is a useful tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease, and for evaluating the size and properties of coronary plaque.