Comparison of quantitative measurements between two different intravascular ultrasound systems: In vitro and in vivo studies

BackgroundAlthough intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) allows for precise measurements of coronary artery dimension, variability in quantitative measurements among currently available different IVUS systems is unknown. The aim of study was to compare two different IVUS catheters and consoles to verify their accuracy and compatibility.Methods(1) In vitro study: IVUS imaging was performed in a concentric cylindrical phantom with 6 sections of known, cross-sectional diameter ranging from 3.0 to 8.0 mm. The minimum lumen diameter (MLD) and lumen cross sectional area (CSA) were measured and compared. (2) In vivo study: IVUS imaging was performed in 69 coronary arterial segments from 20 patients. The external elastic membrane cross sectional area (EEM-CSA), lumen CSA, and plaque plus media (P + M) CSA were measured and compared between the two IVUS systems.Results(1) In vitro study: MLD and lumen CSA obtained by the two IVUS systems correlated well with the actual values. (2) In vivo study: EEM-, lumen and P + M CSA obtained by the two IVUS systems showed good correlations (R² = 0.973, p < 0.0001; R² = 0.938, p < 0.0001; R² = 0.949, p < 0.0001, respectively).ConclusionsQuantitative measurements by 2 different, currently available IVUS systems were accurate and comparable. These results suggest that the 2 different IVUS catheters/systems may be alternatively used during clinical studies assessing coronary arterial size.