Objective To explore the value of 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography coronary angiography (64SCTA) in detecting the coronary artery plaque and to analyze the risk factors for unstable plaque. Methods A total of 112 inpatients who had been diagnosed as coronary artery disease by 64SCTA received catheter coronary angiography (CAG). The levels of serum endothelin-1 (ET-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. The effect of 64SCTA in detecting the coronary artery plaque was evaluated as compared with CAG. The patients were divided into the soft plaque group (n=51) and non-soft plaque group (n=61) according to the CT value of correctly detected plaque. The differences in the above detection indexes between two groups and the risk factors for soft plaque forming were analyzed. Results The 64SCTA had 87.4% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity in detecting coronary artery plaque, the positive predictive value was 82.2% and the negative predictive value was 91.0%. There were significant differences between soft plaque group and non-soft plaque group in the levels of MMP-9, IL-6, hs-CRP, the number of coronary lesions and the composition ratios of gender, diagnosis and diabetes. Logistic regression analysis showed that MMP-9>5.231 ng/L (P=0.0215, OR=2.33, 95%CI 1.13-4.79), hs-CRP>3.583 mg/L (P=0.0008, OR=4.32, 95%CI 1.84-10.15) and unstable angina pectoris (P=0. 0339, OR=4.33, 95% CI 1.12-16.77) were the risk factors for soft plaque formation. Conclusions 64SCTA has highervalue in detecting the coronary artery plaque, and is one of most reliable means in non-invasive methods. MMP-9, hs-CRP and unstable angina pectoris are independent risk factors of plaque instability.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between inflammatory factors and relevant risk factors in patients of essential hypertension (EH) combining acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with its clinical significance. Methods: Our research included 3 groups: EH group, n=79 patients with standard criteria, EH+ACS group, n=85 and Control group, n=48 normal subjects. Blood levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), tryptase (TPS) and relevant clinical, biochemical parameters were measured; risk factors for cardiovascular disease were examined and the relationship between above parameters, risk factors and ACS occurrence in EH patients was studied by Logistic regression analysis. Results: The OR values were all greater than 1 in fibrinogen (Fbg), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), TPS, atherosclerotic plaque, Lp-PLA2 and EH grading. Fbg was the most significant independent risk factor (OR=22.242, 95% CI 6.458-76.609, P<0.0001), the standardized partial regression coefficient b'as absolute value (b') was 1.079 which was the highestone in above 6 variables with the strongest impact for ACS occurrence in EH patients. Conclusion: Fbg, hs-CRP, TPS, atherosclerotic plaque and EH grading were the independent risk factors for ACS occurrence in EH patients; Fbg was the highest risk factor for ACS occurrence with the strongest impact, which provided a new direction for ACS prevention and treatment.