Table 1.
Characteristics of the fissures (N ¼ 60 fissures from 39 plaques).
| Variable | No. (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Longitudinal length of fissurea | Single cross-section | 15 (25.0%) |
| 0.5–1.0 mm | 22 (36.7%) | |
| 1.5–2.0 mm | 14 (23.3%) | |
| 2.5–5.5 mm | 9 (15.0%) | |
| Location of fissures | ||
| Within the shoulder region | 27 (45.0%) | |
| Relative to bifurcationb | Proximal | 26 (43.3%) |
| Distal | 38 (63.3%) | |
| Relative to stenosis | Proximal | 53 (88.3%) |
| Distal | 7 (11.7%) | |
| Quadrant of cross-sectionb | Anterior (Flow divider) | 8 (13.3%) |
| Medial | 14 (23.3%) | |
| Posterior | 24 (40.0%) | |
| Lateral | 28 (46.7%) | |
| Greatest depth into the intimac | Surface layer | 22 (36.7%) |
| Middle layer | 31 (51.7%) | |
| Outer layer | 7 (11.7%) | |
| Plaque features associated with fissures | ||
| Any intraplaque hemorrhage | 55 (91.7%) | |
| Fresh intraplaque hemorrhage | 38 (63.3%) | |
| Lipid-rich necrotic core | 37 (61.7%) | |
| Macrophages | 36 (60.0%) | |
| Calcification | 26 (43.3%) | |
| Microvessels | 15 (25.0%) | |
| Loose matrix | 13 (21.7%) | |
| Thrombus | 7 (11.7%) | |
| Inflammatory infiltrate | 3 (5.0%) | |
a
Distance between the first and last cross-sections where the fissure was seen; sections are spaced every 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm.
b
Categories not mutually exclusive because some fissures crossed the bifurcation and multiple quadrants.
c
The cross-sectional area was divided into thirds to define the surface, middle, and outer layers.