Impact of CD14++CD16+ monocytes on coronary plaque vulnerability assessed by optical coherence tomography in coronary artery disease patients

This study examined the impact of CD14++CD16+ monocytes on coronary plaque vulnerability, as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and investigated their association with daily glucose fluctuation. Although increased CD14++CD16+ monocyte levels have been reported to increase cardiovascular events, their impact on coronary plaque vulnerability in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. This prospective observational study included 50 consecutive patients with CAD, receiving lipid-lowering therapy and undergoing coronary angiography and OCT. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles according to the CD14++CD16+ monocyte percentages assessed by flow cytometry. Standard OCT parameters were assessed for 97 angiographically intermediate lesions (diameter stenosis: 30–70%). Daily glucose fluctuation was analyzed by measuring the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE). CD14++CD16+ monocytes negatively correlated with fibrous cap thickness (r = −0.508, p