[Detection and treatment of vulnerable plaque]

Advances in the understanding of the role of vulnerable plaque coupled with novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches create a unique opportunity for cardiovascular events prevention due to rupture of vulnerable plaques. Currently, non-invasive methods do not have enough resolution to identify vulnerable plaques, on the other hand, some invasive methods can define the morphological and anatomic characteristics of vulnerable plaques. These invasive methods include intravascular ultrasound and three dimensional intravascular ultrasound, virtual histology, optical coherence tomography, intravascular magnetic resonance and intracoronary angioscopy. Atherosclerotic plaques causing symptoms require local treatment but the systemic nature of the atherosclerotic process requires global therapeutic approach for the prevention of cardiovascular events.