- Academic Editors
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Background: Calcified nodules (CN) have been linked to unfavorable
clinical outcomes. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on non-culprit
lesions with CN in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study aims to investigate the frequency, distribution,
predictors, and outcomes of CN in non-culprit lesions among ACS patients.
Methods: We included 376 ACS patients who received successful stent
placement in their culprit lesions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed
to evaluate non-culprit lesions in left main arteries and all three coronary
arteries (CA). CN was defined as accumulations of small nodular calcium deposits
exhibiting a convex shape protruding into the lumen. Results: CNs was
identified in 16.9% (121 of 712) per artery and 26.9% (101 of 376) per patient.
They were predominantly located at the mid portion of the right coronary artery
(26.3%) and the bifurcation site (59.9%). Patients with CN were older (63.57