INTRACORONARY ULTRASOUND - INSIGHTS INTO MECHANISMS AND RESULTS OF CORONARY INTERVENTIONS

Intracoronary ultrasound imaging is a modality which allows in vivo cr oss-sectional visualization of coronary arteries similar to that obtai ned by pathology. Compared with coronary angiography, intracoronary ul trasound provides more detail on plaque morphology and topography and more accurate quantification of lumen and plaque area. Thus, it has ev olved into a valuable research tool. For example, intracoronary ultras ound imaging has increased understanding of the mechanisms of action o f balloon angioplasty and new interventions such as atherectomy and la ser treatment. It may prove to have clinical utility by helping to ind ividualize device selection and sizing and by assessing treatment resu lts more accurately. Coronary imaging may be performed at low risk. Fu ture developments will include smaller catheters, combined ultrasound and therapeutic catheters, and three-dimensional reconstruction of ima ges.