Relationship between intravascular ultrasound imaging features of coronary plaques and soluble CD105 level in patients with coronary heart disease

Plaque rupture with subsequent thrombus formation is the common pathophysiological substrate of acute coronary syndrome （ACS）. Moreno et al reported mat neovascularization as manifested by the localized appearance of microvessels is increased in ruptured plaques in the human aorta. Microvessel density is also increased in inflammatory lesions, with intraplaque hemorrhage and in thin-cap fibroatheromas. Microvessels at the base of the plaque are independently correlated with plaque rupture, suggesting a contributory role for neovascularization in the process of plaque rupture. Soluble CD105, a sensitive serum marker of neovascularization, is thought to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the level of soluble CD105 and the morphological plaques by intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） in patients with stable angina （SA） and those with unstable angina （UA） and whether soluble CD105 may serve as a non-invasive marker of coronary plaque destabilization.