YELLOW II Study

The Reduction in Coronary Yellow Plaque, Lipids and Vascular Inflammation by Aggressive Lipid Lowering study assessed changes in plaque morphology by IVUS in patients receiving high-intensity statin therapy.

Design: Prospective, single-arm

Patients: 85

Center: Single

Country: United States

Results: Minimal fibrous cap thickness increased from 100.9 µm at baseline to 108.6 µm at 12 weeks (P < .001). Cholesterol efflux capacity increased from 0.81 at baseline to 0.84 at 12 weeks (P = .003). Thin-cap fibroatheroma prevalence fell from 20% at baseline to 7.1% at 12 weeks (P = .003). Changes in fibrous cap thickness were independently associated with increased cholesterol efflux capacity (beta, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.07-0.54; P = .01). Unique clusters of genes were associated with positive changes in fibrous cap thickness and cholesterol efflux capacity.

Original Publications:
Kini AS, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016;doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.10.029.