Visualization of coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients using optical coherence tomography: comparison with intravascular ultrasound

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the ability of intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) to visualize the components of coronary plaques in living patients. BACKGROUND: Disruption of a vulnerable coronary plaque with subsequent thrombosis is currently recognized as the primary mechanism for acute myocardial infarction. Although such plaques are considered to have a thin fibrous cap overlying a lipid pool, imaging modalities in current clinical practice do not have sufficient resolution to identify thin (< 65 microm) fibrous caps. Optical coherence tomography is a new imaging modality capable of obtaining cross-sectional images of coronary vessels at a resolution of approximately 10 microm. METHODS: The OCT images and corresponding histology of 42 coronary plaques were compared to establish OCT criteria for different types of plaques. Atherosclerotic lesions with mild to moderate stenosis were identified on angiograms in 10 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of these sites were obtained in all patients without complication. RESULTS: Comparison between OCT and histology demonstrated that lipid-rich plaques and fibrous plaques have distinct OCT characteristics. A total of 17 IVUS and OCT image pairs obtained from patients were compared. Axial resolution measured 13 +/- 3 microm with OCT and 98 +/- 19 microm with IVUS. All fibrous plaques, macrocalcifications and echolucent regions identified by IVUS were visualized in corresponding OCT images. Intimal hyperplasia and echolucent regions, which may correspond to lipid pools, were identified more frequently by OCT than by IVUS. CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary OCT appears to be feasible and safe. Optical coherence tomography identified most architectural features detected by IVUS and may provide additional detailed structural information.     

Assessing atherosclerotic plaque morphology: comparison of optical coherence tomography and high frequency intravascular ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: OCT can image plaque microstructure at a level of resolution not previously demonstrated with other imaging techniques because it uses infrared light rather than acoustic waves. OBJECTIVES: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of in vitro atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: Segments of abdominal aorta were obtained immediately before postmortem examination. Images of 20 sites from five patients were acquired with OCT (operating at an optical wavelength of 1300 nm which was delivered to the sample through an optical fibre) and a 30 MHz ultrasonic transducer. After imaging, the microstructure of the tissue was assessed by routine histological processing. RESULTS: OCT yielded superior structural information in all plaques examined. The mean (SEM) axial resolution of OCT and IVUS imaging was 16 (1) and 110 (7), respectively, as determined by the point spread function from a mirror. Furthermore, the dynamic range of OCT was 109 dB compared with 43 dB for IVUS imaging. CONCLUSIONS: OCT represents a promising new technology for intracoronary imaging because of its high resolution, broad dynamic range, and ability to be delivered through intravascular catheters.     

Optical coherence tomography: clinical applications and the evaluation of DES

Optical coherencet tomography (OCT) is a light-based imaging modality that can provide in vivo high-resolution images of the coronary artery. In the last years there has been a continuous technical development that has improved the image quality and has simplified the acquisition procedure in order to spread the clinical applicability of this technique. Due to its high resolution OCT, can be a very valuable tool for the evaluation of the coronary vessel wall, the acute and long-term impact of catheter-based intervention on plaque structure and vessel architecture and the assessment of stents. During stenting, OCT offers the possibility to evaluate stent apposition in great detail and can identify the presence of vessel injury due to stent implantation. At follow-up, the tissue coverage of individual struts can be imaged with OCT. This is of increasing interest in drug-eluting stents in which the neointimal proliferation is inhibited to such extent that it might not be visualized with conventional intracoronary imaging techniques such as IVUS. Regarding the analysis of the coronary vessel wall, OCT holds promise for the identification of thin cap fibroatheroma due to its ability to provide information about plaque composition, presence of macrophages and thickness of the fibrous cap.     

Utility of optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound for the evaluation of coronary lesions

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) are imaging methods used in the diagnosis of coronary lesions. IVUS is widely used in interventional cardiology laboratories, but OCT is now increasingly used. Conventional coronary angiography can identify different types of coronary lesions but sometimes is unable to diagnose them correctly. Both intravascular imaging methods are useful for better interpretation of these lesions, and can accurately diagnose ruptured plaques, thrombosis, stent restenosis and hazy images. However, the resolution of OCT is ten times higher than IVUS, and so an accurate diagnosis cannot always be achieved with ultrasound imaging. We present three cases in which IVUS was unable to identify the lesion causing the condition and OCT was required to obtain clearer images that helped to confirm the diagnosis. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are then discussed.     

Assessment of culprit lesion morphology in acute myocardial infarction: ability of optical coherence tomography compared with intravascular ultrasound and coronary angioscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for assessment of the culprit lesion morphology in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and coronary angioscopy (CAS). BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography is a new intravascular imaging method with a high resolution of approximately 10 microm. This may allow us to assess the vulnerable plaques in detail in vivo. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with AMI, and analyzed the culprit lesion by OCT, CAS, and IVUS. RESULTS: The average duration from the onset of symptom to OCT imaging was 3.8 +/- 1.0 h. The incidence of plaque rupture observed by OCT was 73%, and it was significantly higher than that by CAS (47%, p = 0.035) and IVUS (40%, p = 0.009). Furthermore, OCT (23%) was superior to CAS (3%, p = 0.022) and IVUS (0%, p = 0.005) in the detection of fibrous cap erosion. The intracoronary thrombus was observed in all cases by OCT and CAS, but it was identified in 33% by IVUS (vs. OCT, p < 0.001). Only OCT could estimate the fibrous cap thickness, and it was 49 +/- 21 microm. The incidence of thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was 83% in this population by OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography is a feasible imaging modality in patients with AMI and allows us to identify not only plaque rupture, but also fibrous cap erosion, intracoronary thrombus, and TCFA in vivo more frequently compared with conventional imaging techniques.     

The Role of Intracoronary Plaque Imaging with Intravascular Ultrasound,Optical Coherence Tomography,and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

The development of multiple diagnostic intracoronary imaging modalities has increased our understanding of coronary atherosclerotic disease. These imaging modalities, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), have provided a method to study plaques and introduced the concept of plaque vulnerability. They are being increasingly used for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) optimization and are invaluable tools in research studying the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in-stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis. IVUS has the ability to visualize the intracoronary lumen and the vessel wall and can be used to detect early atherosclerotic disease even in the setting of positive arterial remodeling. Studies supporting the use of IVUS to optimize stent deployment and apposition have shown a significant reduction in cardiovascular events. OCT provides even higher resolution imaging and near microscopic detail of plaques, restenoses, and thromboses; thus, it can identify the etiology of ACS. Ongoing trials are evaluating the role of OCT in PCI and using OCT to study stent endothelialization and neointimal proliferation. NIRS is a modality capable of localizing and quantifying lipid core burden. It is usually combined with IVUS and is used to characterize plaque composition. The benefits of NIRS in the setting of ACS have been limited to case reports and series. The utilization of all these intracoronary imaging modalities will continue to expand as their indications for clinical use and research grow. Studies to support their use for PCI optimization resulting in improved outcomes with potential to prevent downstream events are ongoing.     

Porcine coronary imaging in vivo by optical coherence tomography

OBJECTIVE: A high-resolution coronary artery imaging modality has the potential to address important diagnostic and management problems in cardiology. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising new optical imaging technique with a resolution of approximately 10 microm. The purpose of this study was to use a new OCT catheter to demonstrate the feasibility of performing OCT imaging of normal coronary arteries, intimal dissections, and deployed stents in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: Normal coronary arteries, intimal dissections, and stents were imaged in five swine with OCT and compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In the normal coronary arteries, visualization of all of the layers of the vessel wall was achieved with a saline flush, including the intima which was not identified by IVUS. Following dissection, detailed layered structures including intimal flaps, intimal defects, and disruption of the medial wall were visualized by OCT. IVUS failed to show clear evidence of intimal and medial disruption. Finally, the microanatomic relationships between stents and the vessel walls were clearly identified only by OCT. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary experiment, we have demonstrated that in vivo OCT imaging of normal coronary arteries, intimal dissections, and deployed stents is feasible, and allows identification of clinically relevant coronary artery morphology with high-resolution and contrast.     

Assessment of coronary arterial plaque by optical coherence tomography

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to identify coronary arterial plaque diagnosed by histologic examination. We examined 166 sections from 108 coronary arterial segments of 40 consecutive human cadavers (24 men and 16 women; mean age 74 +/- 7 years). The plaque type was classified as fibrous (n = 43), fibrocalcific (n = 82), or lipid-rich (n = 41). The accuracy of OCT and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in characterizing the plaque type was studied, with the histologic consensus diagnosis serving as the gold standard. OCT, as well as IVUS, had high sensitivity and specificity for characterizing the different types of atherosclerotic plaque. OCT had a higher sensitivity for characterizing lipid-rich plaques than IVUS (85% vs 59%, p = 0.03). In conclusion, the high resolution of OCT permitted evaluation of lipid-rich plaques more accurately than IVUS.     

Clinical applications of optical coherence tomography

Rupture of vulnerable plaque (VP) is responsible for most coronary events. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging method that allows excellent characterization of atherosclerotic plaque. While this technique is limited by the need to interrupt blood flow and a shallow depth of penetration, its resolution is an order of magnitude greater than possible with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and it has demonstrated better sensitivity and specificity for accurately determining plaque composition. Early in vitro and in vivo experiences have affirmed the excellent quality of these images making it an attractive technology for the analysis of VP. Its high resolution likely renders it the best imaging modality currently available for the evaluation of proper stent deployment and of intracoronary pathology in the setting of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Our institution is currently involved in a multicenter trial to evaluate the effectiveness of OCT when compared to IVUS in this setting. Ongoing technological improvements aim to permit rapid scanning which should alleviate its current major limitation of needing to scan in a blood-free space. OCT is a promising new technology in the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary microstructure.     

The diagnostic value of intracoronary optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel light-based imaging modality for application in the coronary circulation. Compared to conventional intravascular ultrasound, OCT has a ten-fold higher image resolution. This advantage has seen OCT successfully applied in the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque, stent apposition, and tissue coverage, heralding a new era in intravascular coronary imaging. The present article discusses the diagnostic value of OCT, both in cardiovascular research as well as in potential clinical application.The unparalleled high image resolution and strong contrast between the coronary lumen and the vessel wall structure enable fast and reliable image interpretation. OCT makes it possible to visualize the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in order to characterize the structure and extent of coronary plaque and to quantify lumen dimensions, as well as the extent of lumen narrowing, in unprecedented detail. Based on optical properties, OCT is able to distinguish different tissue types, such as fibrous, lipid-rich, necrotic, or calcified tissue. Furthermore, OCT is able to cover the visualization of a variety of features of atherosclerotic plaques that have been associated with rapid lesion progression and clinical events, such as thin cap fibroatheroma, fibrous cap thickness, dense macrophage infiltration, and thrombus formation. These unique features allow the use of OCT to assess patients with acute coronary syndrome and to study the dynamic nature of coronary atherosclerosis in vivo and over time. This permits new insights into plaque progression, regression, and rupture, as well as the study of effects of therapies aimed at modulating these developments.Today's OCT technology allows high detail resolution as well as fast and safe clinical image acquisition. These unique features have established OCT as the gold standard for the assessment of coronary stents. This technique makes it possible to study stent expansion, peri-procedural vessel trauma, and the interaction of the stent with the vessel wall down to the level of individual stent struts, both acutely as well as in the long term, where it is has proven extremely sensitive to the detection of even minor amounts of tissue coverage. These qualities render OCT indispensable to addressing vexing clinical questions such as the relationship of drug-eluting stent deployment, vascular healing, the true time course of endothelial stent coverage, and late stent thrombosis. This may also better guide the optimal duration of dual anti-platelet therapy that currently remains unclear and relatively empirical.In the future, OCT might emerge, parallel to its undisputed position in research, as the tool of choice in all clinical scenarios where angiography is limited by its nature as a two-dimensional luminogram.     

Multi-modality intra-coronary plaque characterization: a pilot study

BackgroundThe risk of rupture and subsequent thrombosis of the atherosclerotic coronary plaques is related to the presence of necrotic core with high lipid content.We conducted an exploratory pilot trial to compare the capability for lipid tissue detection using four intra-coronary diagnostic techniques: greyscale intravascular ultrasound (GS IVUS), IVUS radiofrequency data (IVUS RFD) analysis, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular magnetic resonance spectroscopy (IVMR).MethodsTwenty-four matched target plaques were analyzed with the 4 techniques in non-culprit lesions in five patients with stable angina. Following IVUS pullback, OCT and IVMR was performed. Plaque composition was assessed using established criteria of each technology.ResultsAtherosclerotic plaques classified as soft by GS IVUS were mainly composed by fibro-fatty (80%) or necrotic core (20%) by IVUS RFD. These soft plaques were classified as “lipid-rich” by OCT in the majority of cases (80%). IVMR confirmed the presence of lipid with a lipid fraction index ranging between 36 and 79 in these soft plaques. Besides this good agreement for soft plaques, GS IVUS, IVUS RFD and OCT had 100% agreement in the identification of calcified plaques.ConclusionThe present study explored multi-modality imaging of atherosclerotic plaque in-vivo. Assessing specifically lipid-rich plaques, there was generally good agreement for plaque components identified as soft by traditional GS IVUS with RFD and OCT whereas IVMR showed a varying amount of lipid in these regions. Nevertheless there continues to remain inherent variation, namely as a result of the different imaging resolutions and the lack of common nomenclature and classification.     

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

BACKGROUND: It is believed that most myocardial infarctions result from the rupture of "vulnerable plaques", that share certain common characteristics. These plaques typically consist of a lipid-rich core in the central portion of the thickened intima, covered by a thin friable fibrous cap. Today, one of the important challenges in the field of interventional cardiology is how to identify minor or silent plaques that carry the risk of thrombosis resulting in severe cardiac events. Current imaging technologies lack the resolution to reliably identify these lesions. OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) might have the potential to fill this role. OCT is a new non-contact, light-based imaging modality providing in situ images of tissues at near histologic resolution. As shown in various preclinical and clinical reports, OCT allows the identification of mural as well as luminal morphologies including lumen dimensions, plaques, thrombi, dissections, tissue flaps as well as information on stent geometries including apposition and symmetry. Trials comparing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and OCT demonstrated that OCT provided additional morphologic information, which could be used to improve plaque characterization. CONCLUSION: OCT has the potential to provide a new and more detailed look into the vessel wall, which might help to identify plaques that are at risk of rupture, and furthermore, which will influence and guide the appropriate patient-specific therapeutic approach.     

Clinical utility of negative contrast intravascular ultrasound to evaluate plaque morphology before and after coronary interventions

Although intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is used for evaluation of plaque volume and lumen size as well as detection of vessel wall structures after catheter-based interventions, differentiation between the lumen and plaque structures can be difficult. This study attempted to evaluate the efficacy of negative contrast IVUS imaging for assessment of vessel wall morphology after coronary interventions. IVUS studies were performed in 67 lesions in 66 patients before and after coronary interventions. After the baseline ultrasound imaging run, warm 5% glucose solution was injected manually through the guiding catheter into the coronary artery to washout blood from the lumen to avoid speckled reflections from red blood cells (negative contrast). Quantitative measurements were obtained and plaque morphology was assessed for the presence and extent of medial dissections and intimal flaps. There was no difference in each quantitative parameter between baseline images and negative contrast images. The vessel wall boundary was clearly delineated from the lumen, which was defined as effective negative contrast in 51 of 67 lesions (76%). The baseline images revealed plaque dissection in 9 lesions (18%) and an intimal flap in 13 lesions (25%). In addition, 4 dissections (8%) and 16 intimal flaps (31%) were visualized during the infusion of negative contrast. Additional treatment was performed in 4 lesions (8%) based on the images with negative contrast. Negative contrast IVUS was more sensitive in demonstrating a plaque fracture than were baseline images. This method is useful for enhancing the diagnostic capability of IVUS imaging and may influence the decision-making process during interventional procedures.     

双源CT双能量冠状动脉斑块成像的初步应用

目的探讨双源CT双能量成像技术进行冠状动脉斑块成像的可行性。方法 40例病人行双能量CT冠状动脉斑块成像。结果 40例受检者均能得到冠状动脉成像的单能数据及双能量数据,其中10例行DSA者,CTA与DSA所见一致。其中3例行IVUS检查,共5处斑块,其中4处斑块双能图像与IVUS所见一致。结论单次对比增强双能量CT心脏成像,可同时获得优良的冠状动脉和冠状动脉斑块成像,并降低了射线剂量。     

Clinical indications for intravascular ultrasound imaging

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging modality, which provides high resolution cross-sectional images of the coronary arteries. Unlike angiography, which displays only the opacified luminal silhouette, IVUS permits imaging of both the lumen and vessel wall and allows characterization of the type of the plaque. Although IVUS provides accurate quantitative and qualitative information regarding the lumen and outer vessel wall, it is not routinely used during coronary angiography or in angioplasty procedures because the risk to benefit ratio (additional expense, procedural time, certain degree of risk, and complication versus improvement in the outcome) does not justify routine utilization. Nevertheless, there are situations where IVUS is extremely useful tool both for diagnosis and management so the aim of this review is to summarize the indications for IVUS imaging in the contemporary clinical practice.     

光学相干断层成像和血管内超声在冠状动脉介入手术中的应用

目的 应用光学相干断层成像(OCT)及血管内超声(IVUS)检测技术评价冠状动脉内粥样硬化斑块的稳定性,并指导支架置入,检测血管对置入支架后即刻和中远期的反应.方法 选择2008年2-7月间的27例患者,进行冠状动脉造影、OCT及IVUS检查,共检查了30支血管,其中8处为药物支架植入术后血管,并对19处病变进行了支架置入.结果 除外支架置入的8例(置入6个月～4年)外,其余22例病变行OCT及IVUS检查,发现稳定性斑块5例,不稳定斑块17例,其中OCT检出内膜小撕裂4例(IVUS未检出,P＞0.05),冠状动脉撕裂伴夹层病变5例(IVUS检出1例,P＞0.05),血栓形成5例(IVUS检出1例,P＞0.05),偏心斑块伴薄纤维帽12例(IVUS检出2例,P＜0.01).8例曾经进行支架治疗的患者,造影、OCT和IVUS发现2例再狭窄;OCT显示支架内膜覆盖良好,IVUS小能精确看到内膜;OCT检测出1例患者有支架后瘤样扩张.对17例不稳定性斑块及2例支架再狭窄病例行支架置入术,术后支架膨胀不良发生率26.0%,OCT及IVUS检出率相同;支架贴壁不良发生率63.2%,IVUS榆出率低于OCT(10.5%比63.2%,P＜0.01);支架近远端撕裂10.5%,IVUS均不能检出;内膜脱垂发生率52.6%,IVUS检出率低于OCT(10.5%比52.6%,P＜0.05).结论 OCT与IVUS相比,在不稳定性斑块检测准确度方面明显优于IVUS,更能精确指导冠状动脉支架置人.IVUS在操作简便性及反映斑块负荷方面要优于OCT.     

Accuracy of nonstenotic coronary atherosclerosis assessment by multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The ability to evaluate coronary stenosis using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been well discussed. In contrast, several studies demonstrated that the plaque burden measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has a relationship to the risk of cardiovascular events. the accuracy of MDCT was studied to determine plaque and vessel size compared with IVUS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six proximal lesions (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification: segment 1, 5, 6) from 33 patients were assessed using MDCT and IVUS. The plaque and vessel area were measured from the cross-sectional image using both MDCT and IVUS. Eight coronary artery lesions with motion artifacts and heavily calcified plaques were excluded from the analysis. The vessel and lumen size evaluated using MDCT were closely correlated with those evaluated by IVUS (R(2)=0.614, 0.750 respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between percentage plaque area assessed by MDCT and IVUS (R(2)=0.824). CONCLUSION: MDCT can noninvasively quantify coronary atherosclerotic plaque with good correlation compared with IVUS in patients with atherosclerosis.     

Clinical Utility of Intravascular Imaging: Past,Present, and Future

Although it is the tool used by most interventional cardiologists to assess the severity of coronary artery disease and guide treatment, coronary angiography has many limitations because it is a shadowgraph, depicting planar projections of the contrast-filled lumen that are often foreshortened rather than imaging the diseased vessel itself. Currently available intravascular imaging technologies include grayscale intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT) (the light analogue of IVUS), and near-infrared spectroscopy that detects lipid within the vessel wall and that has been combined with grayscale IVUS in a single catheter as the first combined imaging device. They provide tomographic or cross-sectional images of the coronary arteries that include the lumen, vessel wall, plaque burden, plaque composition and distribution, and even peri-vascular structures—information promised, but rarely provided angiographically. Extensive literature shows that these tools can be used to answer questions that occur during daily practice as well as improving patient outcomes. Is this stenosis significant? Where is the culprit lesion? What is the anatomy of an unusual or ambiguous angiographic lesion? What is the right stent size and length? What is the likelihood of distal embolization or periprocedural myocardial infarction during stent implantation? Has the intervention been optimized? Why did this stent thrombose or restenose? This review summarizes these uses of intravascular imaging as well as the outcomes data supporting their incorporation into routine clinical practice.     

血管内超声与光学相干断层扫描在冠状动脉临界病变中的长期随访对比研究

目的:研究血管内超声(intravenous ultrasound,IVUS)与光学相干断层扫描(optical coher-ence tomography,OCT)在冠状动脉临界病变中的长期随访研究。方法:共入选经过冠状动脉造影(至少4体位造影)证实病变狭窄处于临界病变的患者90例。将入选者按照2∶1随机分为:血管内超声组(IVUS)60例,光学相干断层成像(OCT)组30例。通过血管内超声定量分析最小管腔直径、参考血管直径、最小管腔面积等参数指标;通过光学相干断层扫描分析最小管腔直径、最小管腔面积。同时依据两组检查方法不同特征确定斑块的性质进行定性亚组分析:纤维性斑块、钙化斑块及脂质斑块等,对于高危易损斑块进行冠状动脉介入治疗,术后规律服用药物,观察两组术后住院期间、30d、3个月、9个月、1年和2年的主要心血管事件。采用COX回归模型分析两组2年内免于心血管事件的差异。结果:IVUS和OCT进行亚组软斑块分析,两组测得最小管腔直径分别为[(1.84±0.06)vs.(1.84±0.13)mm,P=0.947]。另外,在最小管腔面积方面两组分别为[(4.7±0.98)vs.(4.8±1.17)mm2,P=0.853]。OCT组通过分析软斑块纤维帽厚度为(94±24.72)μm。通过COX回归模型显示,两组在免于心血管事件的差异无统计学意义(P=0.826)。结论:对于临界病变的患者,采用IVUS或OCT成像系统能够更好的分辨血管内斑块性质,尤其易识别易损斑块。对于临界病变的患者,采用介入影像学方法进行测量分析是安全的、可靠的,能更好指导临床治疗。     

冠状动脉光学相干断层成像与血管内超声成像临床应用进展

光学相干断层成像技术和血管内超声成像技术是现行两种主要的冠状动脉血管内成像技术。光学相干断层成像技术具有分辨率高,组织相关性良好等特点;血管内超声成像技术具有穿透性高,成像范围广等特点。在临床应用中,两种技术有着各自的优势,两者的结合应用可以提供更多的一临床信息。现就不同临床应用中光学相干断层成像技术与血管内超声成像技术的评价能力进行对比,并对光学相干断层成像技术与血管内超声成像技术的结合应用进行简要介绍。