Association between Plasma Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor Levels and Tissue Characteristics of Coronary Plaque using Integrated Backscatter Intravascular Ultrasound

Objective Recent evidence has strongly suggested that atherosclerosis is an angiogenic disease, and PEDF may play a significant role in determining the balance of angiogenesis/antiangiogenesis during atherogenesis. Therefore, we assessed the associations among plasma levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), the lipid profile and tissue characteristics of coronary plaque as assessed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). Methods Fifty-two consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. Non-target coronary lesions with mild to moderate stenosis were measured by IB-IVUS. A total of 20 IB-IVUS images were recorded at an interval of 0.5 mm for a length of 10 mm in each plaque. Results Although the percentage of plaque volume (%PV, 100xtotal PV/total vessel volume), percentage of lipid volume (%LV, 100xLV/PV) and percentage of fibrous volume (%FV, 100xFV/PV) were not associated with plasma log[PEDF] levels in the overall patients, in the patients without statin treatment %LV and %FV were correlated with plasma log[PEDF] levels (r=0.525, p=0.021 and r=-0.498, p=0.030, respectively). Conclusion The plasma level of PEDF may be a useful biomarker for predicting the tissue characteristics of coronary plaque using IB-IVUS.