Association of Lipid Core Burden Index With Early Progression of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Patients After Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND

The association of the lipid-core burden index (LCBI), measured using near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS), with early progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy remains unclear.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

We prospectively examined 12 consecutive heart transplant recipients who underwent NIRS-IVUS and IVUS. Patients were stratified according to the median maximum LCBI in a 4-mm segment (maxLCBI4 mm) of 223 at 1 month. The magnitude of maximal intimal thickness (MIT) progression was greater in the higher maxLCBI4 mmgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a higher maxLCBI4 mmat baseline exhibited greater MIT progression during the first post-transplant year.