Progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients without standard modifiable risk factors

Abstract Background and aims The outcome of patients with clinical coronary artery disease despite traditional risk factors is poorly understood. Methods Clinical characteristics and plaque burden on serial intravascular ultrasonography were compared in patients without (n=165) and with (n=492) standard modifiable risk factors after matching on age, sex and use of statins from a database of 5823 patients participating in clinical trials of anti-atherosclerotic therapies. Results Patients without standard modifiable risk factors had lower baseline systolic blood pressure (118±12 vs. 129±17 mmHg, p Conclusion Patients who develop clinical coronary atherosclerosis without standard modifiable risk factors have similar rates of plaque progression to those with traditional risk factors.