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Clinical Predictors of Plaque Progression Despite Very Low Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

  • Ozgur Bayturan
  • , Samir Kapadia
  • , Stephen J. Nicholls
  • , E. Murat Tuzcu
  • , Mingyuan Shao
  • , Kiyoko Uno
  • , Ajai Shreevatsa
  • , Andrea J. Lavoie
  • , Kathy Wolski
  • , Paul Schoenhagen
  • , Steven E. Nissen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize the determinants of plaque progression despite achieving very low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Background: Despite achieving very low levels of LDL-C, many patients continue to demonstrate disease progression and have clinical events. Methods: A total of 3,437 patients with coronary artery disease underwent serial intravascular ultrasound examination in 7 clinical trials. Patients who achieved an on-treatment LDL-C level of ≤70 mg/dl (n = 951) were stratified as progressors (n = 200) and nonprogressors (n = 751) and compared. Results: Despite achieving LDL-C ≤70 mg/dl, >20% of patients continued to progress. There were no demographic differences between groups. Progressors demonstrated higher baseline levels of glucose (117.1 ± 42.5 mg/dl vs. 112.1 ± 40.0 mg/dl, p = 0.02), triglycerides (157.5 mg/dl vs. 133.0 mg/dl, p = 0.004), and a smaller decrease of apolipoprotein B (-25.1 ± 3.4 mg/dl vs. -27.4 ± 3.35 mg/dl, p = 0.01) at follow-up. Multivariable analysis revealed that independently associated risk factors of progression in patients with LDL-C ≤70 mg/dl included baseline percent atheroma volume (p = 0.001), presence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02), increase in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001), less increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.01), and a smaller decrease in apolipoprotein B levels (p = 0.001), but not changes in C-reactive protein (p = 0.78) or LDL-C (p = 0.84). Conclusions: Residual risk factors are associated with the likelihood of disease progression in patients who achieve very low LDL-C levels. In addition, the association between apolipoprotein B and atheroma progression highlights the potential importance of LDL particle concentration in patients with optimal LDL-C control. This finding highlights the need for intensive modification of global risk in patients with coronary artery disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2736-2742
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume55
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 15 Jun 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • apolipoprotein B
  • atherosclerosis
  • intravascular ultrasound
  • low low-density lipoprotein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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