Disparities among Black and White patients in plaque burden and composition and long-term impact.

BACKGROUND

Black patients presenting to the catheterization laboratory have more risk factors and worse long-term outcomes. This sub-analysis of the Lipid Rich Plaque (LRP) study quantifies the plaque burden and composition of Black vs White patients and associated outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with a singular, self-reported race presenting for cardiac catheterization were enrolled if near-infrared spectroscopy/intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) imaging of non-stented, non-culprit (NC) vessels was performed. Lipidic content was quantified at the 4-mm region with maximum Lipid Core Burden Index (maxLCBI4mm). NC major adverse cardiac events (NC-MACE) were defined as: cardiac death, cardiac arrest, non-fatal myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, and hospital readmission for angina with >20 % disease progression through 2 years.

RESULTS

Among 1346 patients with a singular, self-reported race, 182 were Black. Black vs White patients were more likely to be female, had higher rates of traditional risk factors, and were more likely to present acutely. Both patients and segments were more likely to have maxLCBI4mm > 400 (46.7 % vs 30.6 %, p < 0.001, respectively; 15.5 % vs 8.9 %, p < 0.001, respectively). Vessel size and plaque burden were larger for Black vs White patients. At 2 years, maxLCBI4mm > 400 and Black race were independently predictive of NC-MACE (hazard ratio [HR] maxLCBI4mm > 400: 2.37 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.50-3.76, p < 0.001], Black race: 2.8 [95 % CI 1.27-3.42, p = 0.004], pinteraction = 0.137).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to White patients, Black patients had more lipid-rich plaques with greater plaque burden. Both high lipidic burden and Black race were independently predictive of NC-MACE within 2 years.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02033694, NCT02033694.