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Extensive experimental data shows that ox-LDL
is formed in the arterial wall contributing to the
plaque progression. It is accepted that ox-LDL in
circulation is originated in the vessel wall, being its
circulating levels strongly associated to
angiographically documented CAD (Napoleão et al.,
2012). Increases in plaque area may favour plaque
outflow and exposure to shear stress may contribute
to endothelial denuding and plaque cap erosion,
which leads to plaque rupture. (Greco et al., 2009);
(Choi et al., 2010) Hence, the positive association of
plaque area with ox-LDL concentrations in plasma
can also be considered a marker of plaque
instability.
6 CONCLUSIONS
The association of ox-LDL and TNF-α circulating
levels with characteristics of plaque expansive
growth indicate that these biomarkers may have a
role in plaque activity expressing plaque
vulnerability. The results suggest that these
biomarkers have clinical implications for identifying
vulnerable patients. Further studies are needed to
evaluate the impact of ox-LDL, TNF-, and VH-
IVUS derived measures on clinical presentation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The study was carried out under Fundação para a
Ciência e Tecnologia PIC/IC/82734/2007 research
contract.
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