Relation between the presence and extent of coronary lipid core plaques detected by near-infrared spectroscopy with postpercutaneous coronary intervention myocardial infarction

We aimed to examine whether an association exists between the presence and extent of coronary lipid core plaques (LCPs) detected by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) performed before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with postprocedural myocardial infarction (MI). NIRS was performed in the native coronary arteries of 30 patients before PCI. Angular extent of LCP, lesion segment lipid core burden index, and block chemogram were evaluated. Cardiac biomarkers were measured before and 16 to 24 hours after PCI to determine occurrence of postprocedural MI. Mean number of 2-mm yellow blocks within the stented lesion was 1.4 ± 2.1 and mean lesion lipid core burden index was 110.3 ± 99. Using a definition of creatine kinase-MB >1 time upper limit of normal (ULN), >2 times ULN, and >3 times ULN, MI after PCI occurred in 23%, 13%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Compared to patients who did not have MI after PCI, those who did had similar clinical characteristics but received more stents and had more blocks within the stented lesion. Creatine kinase-MB increase >3 times ULN was observed in 27% of patients with <1 yellow block versus in none of the patients without a yellow block within the stented lesion (p = 0.02). In conclusion, PCI of LCP-positive lesions as assessed by NIRS is associated with increased risk for MI after PCI. NIRS may allow lesion-specific risk stratification before PCI and optimization of PCI strategies for myocardial injury risk minimization.