doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000087480.94275.97
(Circulation. 2003;108:1664.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.
Review: Current Perspective |
From Vulnerable Plaque to Vulnerable Patient
A Call for New Definitions and Risk Assessment Strategies: Part I
From The Center for Vulnerable Plaque Research, University of Texas—Houston, The Texas Heart Institute, and President Bush Center for Cardiovascular Health, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston (M. Naghavi, S.W.C., S.L., M.M., A.Z., J.T.W.); The Leducq Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (P.L., M.A.); Department of Cardiology and Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (E.F.); Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Vascular Biology of the University Medical Center in Utrecht, the Netherlands (G.P.); Ohio State University (J.R.); the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY (Z.F.); Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the VA Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington (P.M.); Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (P.H.S.); Division of Cardiology, New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass (S.W.); Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La (P.R.); Department of Cardiovascular Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC (A.B., A.F., R.V.); Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle (C.Y.); Stanford University Medical Center Stanford, Calif (P.J.F.); Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle (D.S.S.); Department of Cardiology, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece (C.S.); Catheterization Laboratory, Thorax Center, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (C.L.d.K.); Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland (K.E.J.A.); Institute of Arteriosclerosis Research and the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Central Laboratory, Hospital of the University of Münster, Munich, Germany (G.A.); Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Munich, Germany (C.R.B.); Mayo Clinic Medical School, Jacksonville, Fla (J.H.C.); Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (Z.S.G.); Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol University, Bristol, United Kingdom (C.J.); Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (I.-K.J.); Department of Internal Medicine II, Cardiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany (W.K.); University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky (R.A.L.); R.L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Ind (K.M.); School of Public Health, University of Texas—Houston, Houston, Texas (J.D.); Division of Cardiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (M. Navab); Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy (S.G.P.); Department of Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Ann Arbor Laboratories, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.D.R.); Paul Dudley White Coronary Care System at St. Agnes HealthCare, Baltimore, Md (R.B.); Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas (S.M.G.); Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY (R.M.); Catheterization Laboratories, Ospedale San Raffaele and Emo Centro Cuore Columbus, Milan, Italy (A.C.); Human Genetics Center, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston, Tex (E.B.); Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex (C.B., W.I.); Minneapolis Heart Institute and Foundation, Minneapolis, Minn (R.S.S.); Division of Cardiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md (R.V.); Karolinska Institute, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (G.K.H.); Section of Cardiology, University of Chicago, Ill (D.P.F.); Vascular Physiology and Thrombosis Research Laboratory of the Atherosclerosis Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California (S.K.); Cardiology Department, Hannover University, Hannover, Germany (H.D.); Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (P.G.); UCLA School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif (P.K.S.); Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and CIMIT (Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology), Boston, Mass (J.E.M.); Cardiovascular Division, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass (P.M.R.); and Indiana University School of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis (D.P.Z.).
Correspondence to Morteza Naghavi, MD, Association for Eradication of Heart Attack, 2472 Bolsover, No. 439, Houston, TX 77005. E-mail mn{at}vp.org
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease results in >19 million deaths annually, and coronary heart disease accounts for the majority of this toll. Despite major advances in treatment of coronary heart disease patients, a large number of victims of the disease who are apparently healthy die suddenly without prior symptoms. Available screening and diagnostic methods are insufficient to identify the victims before the event occurs. The recognition of the role of the vulnerable plaque has opened new avenues of opportunity in the field of cardiovascular medicine. This consensus document concludes the following. (1) Rupture-prone plaques are not the only vulnerable plaques. All types of atherosclerotic plaques with high likelihood of thrombotic complications and rapid progression should be considered as vulnerable plaques. We propose a classification for clinical as well as pathological evaluation of vulnerable plaques. (2) Vulnerable plaques are not the only culprit factors for the development of acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. Vulnerable blood (prone to thrombosis) and vulnerable myocardium (prone to fatal arrhythmia) play an important role in the outcome. Therefore, the term "vulnerable patient" may be more appropriate and is proposed now for the identification of subjects with high likelihood of developing cardiac events in the near future. (3) A quantitative method for cumulative risk assessment of vulnerable patients needs to be developed that may include variables based on plaque, blood, and myocardial vulnerability. In Part I of this consensus document, we cover the new definition of vulnerable plaque and its relationship with vulnerable patients. Part II of this consensus document focuses on vulnerable blood and vulnerable myocardium and provide an outline of overall risk assessment of vulnerable patients. Parts I and II are meant to provide a general consensus and overviews the new field of vulnerable patient. Recently developed assays (eg, C-reactive protein), imaging techniques (eg, CT and MRI), noninvasive electrophysiological tests (for vulnerable myocardium), and emerging catheters (to localize and characterize vulnerable plaque) in combination with future genomic and proteomic techniques will guide us in the search for vulnerable patients. It will also lead to the development and deployment of new therapies and ultimately to reduce the incidence of acute coronary syndromes and sudden cardiac death. We encourage healthcare policy makers to promote translational research for screening and treatment of vulnerable patients.
Key Words: coronary disease • plaque • myocardial infarction • atherosclerosis • death, sudden
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J. L. Anderson, C. D. Adams, E. M. Antman, C. R. Bridges, R. M. Califf, D. E. Casey Jr, W. E. Chavey II, F. M. Fesmire, J. S. Hochman, T. N. Levin, et al. ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Developed in Collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 14, 2007; 50(7): e1 - e157. [Full Text] [PDF]
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 P. Raggi and A. Bellasi Review: Imaging to assess effect of medical therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, July 1, 2007; 7(4): 157 - 164. [Abstract] [PDF]
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Authors/Task Force Members, J.-P. Bassand, C. W. Hamm, D. Ardissino, E. Boersma, A. Budaj, F. Fernandez-Aviles, K. A.A. Fox, D. Hasdai, E. M. Ohman, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes of the European Society of Cardiology Eur. Heart J., July 1, 2007; 28(13): 1598 - 1660. [Full Text] [PDF]
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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]
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G. Ostling, B. Hedblad, G. Berglund, and I. Goncalves Increased Echolucency of Carotid Plaques in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Stroke, July 1, 2007; 38(7): 2074 - 2078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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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]
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L. Saba, G. Caddeo, R. Sanfilippo, R. Montisci, and G. Mallarini CT and Ultrasound in the Study of Ulcerated Carotid Plaque Compared with Surgical Results: Potentialities and Advantages of Multidetector Row CT Angiography AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., June 1, 2007; 28(6): 1061 - 1066. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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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]
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D. N. Tziakas, J. C. Kaski, G. K. Chalikias, C. Romero, S. Fredericks, I. K. Tentes, A. X. Kortsaris, D. I. Hatseras, and D. W. Holt Total Cholesterol Content of Erythrocyte Membranes Is Increased in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A New Marker of Clinical Instability? J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 29, 2007; 49(21): 2081 - 2089. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 M. E. Wierman and W. M. Kohrt Review Article: Vascular and Metabolic Effects of Sex Steroids: New Insights Into Clinical Trials Reproductive Sciences, May 1, 2007; 14(4): 300 - 314. [Abstract] [PDF]
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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]
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 J. S. Hochman and P. G. Steg Does Preventive PCI Work? N. Engl. J. Med., April 12, 2007; 356(15): 1572 - 1574. [Full Text] [PDF]
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W. E. Boden, R. A. O'Rourke, K. K. Teo, P. M. Hartigan, D. J. Maron, W. J. Kostuk, M. Knudtson, M. Dada, P. Casperson, C. L. Harris, et al. Optimal Medical Therapy with or without PCI for Stable Coronary Disease N. Engl. J. Med., April 12, 2007; 356(15): 1503 - 1516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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O. Schlager, M. Exner, W. Mlekusch, S. Sabeti, J. Amighi, P. Dick, O. Wagner, R. Koppensteiner, E. Minar, and M. Schillinger C-Reactive Protein Predicts Future Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Carotid Stenosis Stroke, April 1, 2007; 38(4): 1263 - 1268. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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K. R. Nandalur, A. D. Hardie, P. Raghavan, M. J. Schipper, E. Baskurt, and C. M. Kramer Composition of the Stable Carotid Plaque: Insights From a Multidetector Computed Tomography Study of Plaque Volume Stroke, March 1, 2007; 38(3): 935 - 940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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D. Segers, F. Helderman, C. Cheng, L. C.A. van Damme, D. Tempel, E. Boersma, P. W. Serruys, R. de Crom, A. F.W. van der Steen, P. Holvoet, et al. Gelatinolytic Activity in Atherosclerotic Plaques Is Highly Localized and Is Associated With Both Macrophages and Smooth Muscle Cells In Vivo Circulation, February 6, 2007; 115(5): 609 - 616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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P. Fayad Endarterectomy and Stenting for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: A Race at Breakneck Speed Stroke, February 1, 2007; 38(2): 707 - 714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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M. Namba, A. Tanaka, K. Shimada, Y. Ozeki, S. Uehata, T. Sakamoto, Y. Nishida, S. Nomura, and J. Yoshikawa Circulating Platelet-Derived Microparticles Are Associated With Atherothrombotic Events Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., January 1, 2007; 27(1): 255 - 256. [Full Text] [PDF]
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 L. G. Spagnoli, S. Pucci, E. Bonanno, A. Cassone, F. Sesti, A. Ciervo, and A. Mauriello Persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection of Cardiomyocytes Is Correlated with Fatal Myocardial Infarction Am. J. Pathol., January 1, 2007; 170(1): 33 - 42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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A. Paini, P. Boutouyrie, D. Calvet, M. Zidi, E. Agabiti-Rosei, and S. Laurent Multiaxial Mechanical Characteristics of Carotid Plaque: Analysis by Multiarray Echotracking System Stroke, January 1, 2007; 38(1): 117 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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V. J. Dzau, E. M. Antman, H. R. Black, D. L. Hayes, J. E. Manson, J. Plutzky, J. J. Popma, and W. Stevenson The Cardiovascular Disease Continuum Validated: Clinical Evidence of Improved Patient Outcomes: Part II: Clinical Trial Evidence (Acute Coronary Syndromes Through Renal Disease) and Future Directions Circulation, December 19, 2006; 114(25): 2871 - 2891. [Full Text] [PDF]
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A. Peters When a Myocardial Infarction Comes Out of the Not-So-Blue Air Circulation, December 5, 2006; 114(23): 2430 - 2431. [Full Text] [PDF]
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A. Niessner, K. Sato, E. L. Chaikof, I. Colmegna, J. J. Goronzy, and C. M. Weyand Pathogen-Sensing Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Stimulate Cytotoxic T-Cell Function in the Atherosclerotic Plaque Through Interferon-{alpha} Circulation, December 5, 2006; 114(23): 2482 - 2489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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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]
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 L. Bao, Y. Li, S.-X. Deng, D. Landry, and I. Tabas Sitosterol-containing Lipoproteins Trigger Free Sterol-induced Caspase-independent Death in ACAT-competent Macrophages J. Biol. Chem., November 3, 2006; 281(44): 33635 - 33649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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A. Mor, G. Luboshits, D. Planer, G. Keren, and J. George Altered status of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndromes Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2006; 27(21): 2530 - 2537. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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G. H. Tofler and J. E. Muller Triggering of Acute Cardiovascular Disease and Potential Preventive Strategies Circulation, October 24, 2006; 114(17): 1863 - 1872. [Full Text] [PDF]
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F. Otsuka, S. Sugiyama, S. Kojima, H. Maruyoshi, T. Funahashi, K. Matsui, T. Sakamoto, M. Yoshimura, K. Kimura, S. Umemura, et al. Plasma Adiponectin Levels Are Associated With Coronary Lesion Complexity in Men With Coronary Artery Disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., September 19, 2006; 48(6): 1155 - 1162. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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M. Papaspyridonos, A. Smith, K. G. Burnand, P. Taylor, S. Padayachee, K. E. Suckling, C. H. James, D. R. Greaves, and L. Patel Novel Candidate Genes in Unstable Areas of Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2006; 26(8): 1837 - 1844. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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J. Hausleiter, T. Meyer, M. Hadamitzky, A. Kastrati, S. Martinoff, and A. Schomig Prevalence of Noncalcified Coronary Plaques by 64-Slice Computed Tomography in Patients With an Intermediate Risk for Significant Coronary Artery Disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., July 18, 2006; 48(2): 312 - 318. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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