Anatomy, histology, and pathology of coronary arteries: a review relevant to new interventional and imaging...

In the last 15 years, intense interest has focused on various interventional, pharmacologic, and mechanical forms of therapy for the treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Many techniques and devices (dilating balloons, perfusion catheters, thermal probes and balloons, lasers, atherectomy devices, stents, intravascular ultrasound) have been used or are under study for future use. Many of these techniques and devices require an understanding of histologic and pathologic features of the coronary arteries and diseases which affect them. This article reviews selective areas of anatomy, histology, and pathology relevant to the use of various new interventional techniques. Part II of this four-part review will focus on aging changes seen in the epicardial coronary arteries and will review selected features of atherosclerotic plaque, including fissure and topography.