Triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio is a predictor of future coronary events: a possible role of high-risk coronary plaques detected by coronary CT angiography

Background For the prevention of future cardiovascular events, control of residual risks such as triglyceride rich lipoproteins and HDL-cholesterol is an emerging problem beyond LDL-cholesterol. Triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL ratio) has been reported to be useful for risk classification of cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, several studies showed that high-risk plaque characteristics evaluated with coronary CT angiography (cCTA) was associated with the incidence of acute coronary syndrome. However, the relationship of TG/HDL ratio with coronary plaque characteristics and its impact of this association on future coronary events have not been fully elucidated. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between TG/HDL ratio and high-risk plaque detected by cCTA and its impact on future coronary events. Methods A total of 944 patients suspected stable coronary artery disease who underwent cCTA at our institution were analyzed (mean 64-year-old, 55% male). Patients were divided into two groups by the median value of TG/HDL ratio (higher TG/HDL: TG/HDL ratio ≥2.0, lower TG/HDL: TG/HDL ratio 1.1) and spotty calcification. Cardiovascular event was defined as cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, and late coronary revascularization after 30 days of CT acquisition. Results The higher TG/HDL ratio was significantly associated with male gender (63% vs. 48%, P Conclusion TG/HDL ratio is involved in the vulnerability of CT-verified coronary plaque characteristics. This association may play an important role in the prognostic impact of TG/HDL ratio on future cardiovascular events. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None