Objective To compare vessel, lumen, and plaque volumes in atherosclerotic coronary lesions with inadequate compensatory enlargement versus lesions with adequate compensatory enlargement.

Design 35 angiographically significant coronary lesions were examined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during motorised transducer pullback. Segments 20 mm in length were analysed using a validated automated three dimensional analysis system. IVUS was used to classify lesions as having inadequate (group I) or adequate (group II) compensatory enlargement.

Results There was no significant difference in quantitative angiographic measurements and the IVUS minimum lumen cross sectional area between groups I (n = 15) and II (n = 20). In group I, the vessel cross sectional area was 13.3 (3.0) mm² at the lesion site and 14.4 (3.6) mm² at the distal reference (p < 0.01), whereas in group II it was 17.5 (5.6) mm² at the lesion site and 14.0 (6.0) mm² at the distal reference (p < 0.001). Vessel and plaque cross sectional areas were significantly smaller in group I than in group II (13.3 (3.0)v 17.5 (5.6) mm², p < 0.01; and 10.9 (2.8) v 15.2 (4.9) mm², p < 0.005). Similarly, vessel and plaque volume were smaller in group I (291.0 (61.0) v 353.7 (110.0) mm³, and 177.5 (48.4) v 228.0 (92.8) mm³, p < 0.05 for both). Lumen areas and volumes were similar.

Conclusions In lesions with inadequate compensatory enlargement, both vessel and plaque volume appear to be smaller than in lesions with adequate compensatory enlargement.