Intravascular ultrasound observations of atherosclerotic lesion formation and restenosis in patients with diabetes mellitus

Coronary artery disease is more aggressive in diabetic patients than in nondiabetics; they have more diffuse disease, higher mortality rates and worse clinical outcomes after coronary interventions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) produces transmural tomographic images of the coronary arteries in vivo. Recent IVUS studies have provided new insights into the mechanisms of stenosis formation and restenosis in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients. Arterial remodeling is defined as a change in arterial area. During atherogenesis, an increase in arterial area usually accompanies plaque accumulation to delay lumen compromise. Stenosis formation is related to: (a) the rate of plaque accumulation versus the rate of positive remodeling; and (b) the limits and ultimate failure of positive remodeling. However, there is a marked variability in remodeling. IVUS studies have suggested that remodeling may be impaired in some diabetic patients during atherogenesis. Following non-stent catheter-based interventions, serial (post-intervention and follow-up) IVUS studies have shown that the change in lumen area correlates better with the change in arterial area (remodeling) than with the change in plaque area (neointimal hyperplasia). In some patients, a positive remodeling response mitigates against the increase in plaque area to limit late lumen loss and restenosis. Neointimal hyperplasia is exaggerated in diabetic patients. Despite this, there is a reduced frequency of positive remodeling, potentially similar to the impaired positive remodeling in some diabetic patients during atherogenesis. Failed or inadequate arterial remodeling may contribute to the pathogenesis and natural history of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in diabetic patients.