Table 1 Baseline characteristics of included patients: grouped according to quartiles of plaque elasticity (n = 65)
Variables | Quartiles of plaque elasticity | Â | P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quartile 1 | Quartile 2 | Quartile 3 | Quartile 4 | ||
Age, years | 67.7 ± 7.5 | 67.3 ± 8.2 | 66.7 ± 8.2 | 70.1 ± 7.3 | 0.629 |
Sex (male) | 64.7%(11) | 68.8%(11) | 68.8%(11) | 93.8%(15) | 0.177 |
Body mass index，kg/m2 | 25.88 ± 2.39 | 23.49 ± 1.09 | 24.04 ± 1.06 | 23.58 ± 2.41 | 0.004 |
Smoking | 76.5%(13) | 43.8%(7) | 81.3%(13) | 75.0%(12) | 0.109 |
Drinking alcohol | 70.6%(12) | 68.8%(11) | 56.3%(9) | 87.5%(14) | 0.306 |
SBP，mmHg | 143.8 ± 20.2 | 144.2 ± 28.2 | 142.1 ± 23.7 | 140.4 ± 18.8 | 0.927 |
DBP，mmHg | 82.8 ± 7.0 | 83.8 ± 13.2 | 85.6 ± 10.1 | 86.1 ± 6.9 | 0.388 |
Hypertension | 64.7%(11) | 56.3%(9) | 56.3%(9) | 43.8%(7) | 0.716 |
Diabetes mellitus | 17.6%(3) | 62.5%(10) | 18.8%(3) | 6.3%(1) | 0.002 |
Dyslipidemia | 52.9%(9) | 50.0%(8) | 62.5%(10) | 31.3%(5) | 0.373 |
Coronary heart disease | 52.9%(9) | 25.0%(4) | 31.3%(5) | 18.8%(3) | 0.179 |
Anti-platelet drugs | 88.2%(15) | 75.0%(12) | 75.0%(12) | 75.0%(12) | 0.734 |
Anti-hypertensive | 70.6%(12) | 62.5%(10) | 68.8%(11) | 56.3%(9) | 0.827 |
Statin | 76.5%(13) | 93.8%(15) | 93.8%(15) | 75.0%(12) | 0.262 |
Degree of stenosis | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0.341 |
 50–69% | 17.6%(3) | 25.0%(4) | 43.8%(7) | 18.8%(3) |  |
 70–99% | 82.4%(14) | 75.0%(12) | 56.3%(9) | 81.3%(13) |  |
Plaque thickness，(cm) | 0.37 ± 0.07 | 0.39 ± 0.06 | 0.35 ± 0.06 | 0.39 ± 0.09 | 0.146 |
Plaque area，(cm2) | 0.58 ± 0.11 | 0.69 ± 0.18 | 0.63 ± 0.25 | 0.69 ± 0.17 | 0.196 |
Plaque length，(cm) | 1.8 ± 0.43 | 2.02 ± 0.47 | 1.81 ± 0.51 | 2.13 ± 0.39 | 0.089 |
Calcified plaque | 41.2%(7) | 62.5%(10) | 31.3%(5) | 81.3%(13) | 0.021 |
Plaque echogenicity | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0.112 |
 Homogeneous hyperechogenicity | 5.9%(1) | 6.3%(1) | 18.8%(3) | 6.3%(1) |  |
  predominantly low echogenicity | 58.8%(10) | 50.0%(8) | 56.3%(9) | 31.3%(5) |  |
  predominantly high echogenicity | 11.8%(2) | 43.8%(7) | 12.5%(2) | 31.3%(5) |  |
 Homogeneous high echogenicity | 23.5%(4) | 0 | 12.5%(2) | 31.3%(5) |  |
Plaque surface morphology | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0.115 |
 Smooth | 35.3%(6) | 18.8%(3) | 6.3%(1) | 31.3%(5) |  |
 Irregular | 35.3%(6) | 56.3%(9) | 87.5%(14) | 56.3%(9) |  |
 Ulcers | 29.4%(5) | 25.0%(4) | 6.3%(1) | 12.5%(2) |  |
Neovascularization level | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0.533 |
 Restricted | 70.6%(12) | 56.3%(9) | 68.8%(11) | 81.3%(13) |  |
 Extensive | 29.4%(5) | 43.8%(7) | 31.3%(5) | 18.8%(3) |  |