Relationship between coronary calcium score and high-risk plaque/significant stenosis

AIM To investigate the relationship between coronary calcium score(CCS) and vulnerable plaque/significant stenosis using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS CCTA was performed in 651 patients and these patients were divided into the four groups(CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400). We studied the incidence of high-risk plaque, including positive remodeling, low attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign, and significant stenosis in each group. RESULTS High-risk plaque was found in 1.3%, 10.1%, 13.3% and 13.4% of patients with CCS 0, 1-100, 101-400 and > 400, respectively(P < 0.001). The difference was only significant for patients with zero CCS. The incidence of significant stenosis was 0.6%, 7.6%, 13.3% and 26.9% for each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), which represented a significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. The combined incidence of high-risk plaque and significant stenosis was 1.9%, 17.7%, 26.9% and 40.3% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), again representing a significant stepwise increase with CCS. The rate of major coronary event was 0%, 4.0%, 7.9% and 17.2% in each patient group, respectively(P < 0.001), another significant stepwise increase as CCS increased. CONCLUSION Stepwise increased risk of coronary events associated with increasing CCS is caused by increasing incidence of significant stenosis, while that of high-risk plaque remains the same.

Re-Estimation of a Plausible Model of the Earthquake Fault as the Source of the 1771 Great Meiwa Tsunami Based on the Assessment of the Run-Up Height by Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Plausible parameters of the earthquake fault which caused the 1771 Great Meiwa Tsunami were re-estimated by comparing the result of the tsunami run-up height by the numerical simulation by Okinawa Prefectural Government and those by 1) run-up height derived from previous field works, and 2) a historical record describing the run-up height in Miyako District. The re-estimation shows that the length of the fault off Miyako and Yaeyama districts is 300 km or more. However, the slip of the fault is 20 m off Yaeyama and 8 - 14 m off Miyako.