Influence of Ezetimibe on Plaque Morphology in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography: An OCTIVUS Sub-Study

The aim of the trial was to examine the influence of ezetimibe on plaque morphology in patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) with respect to fibrous cap thickness (FCT) and arcs of lipid plaque, calcific plaque, and macrophages using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In 87 statin naïve patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous intervention, a non-culprit study plaque in a non-infarct related coronary artery was assessed with OCT at baseline and after 12 months. Patients were treated with atorvastatin 80 mg and randomized (1:1) to ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 43) or placebo (n = 44). An increase in median FCT (ezetimibe 200 (140–260) μm to 240 (190–305) μm (p = 0.002) vs. placebo 205 (135–260) μm to 230 (180–270) μm (p