Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine is associated with vulnerable plaque and long-term outcomes in stable coronary artery disease

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is considered to be an atherogenic molecule. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ADMA and plaque vulnerability assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Two hundred and forty-five patients with stable CAD undergoing OCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention were included in this study and were divided into two groups according to their ADMA levels. Micro-vessel, macrophage accumulation, thin-cap fibroatheroma, intra-plaque calcium and lipid core content, and vulnerable score (VS) were evaluated by OCT analysis. The patients with higher ADMA levels had significantly higher calcium and lipid content (p<0.001, respectively). There were significantly more micro-vessel and macrophage (32.8%, p=0.004 and 52.5%, p<0.001, respectively) and higher VS (87.7 +/- 17.6, p<0.001) in the higher ADMA group. Moreover, plasma ADMA level was significantly correlated with the intra-plaque lipid, calcium content and VS (p<0.001, respectively). Plasma ADMA level was identified as an independent predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events, following OCT-guided PCI. In patients with stable CAD, higher plasma ADMA levels were significantly associated with the presence of intra-plaque lipid, calcification, vulnerable plaque, and poor long-term outcomes.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ADMA and plaque vulnerability assessed by OCT in patients with stable CAD. The results showed that patients with higher ADMA levels had more micro-vessels and macrophages in the plaque, as well as higher vulnerable scores. Moreover, plasma ADMA level was significantly correlated with intra-plaque lipid and calcium content, as well as the vulnerable score. Therefore, plasma ADMA level was identified as an independent predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events.