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Updated: May 16, 2026

Longitudinal Morphological and Physiological Monitoring of Three-dimensional Tumor Spheroids Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: February 9, 2019
Optical coherence tomography: from research to clinical application
F Alfonso1, J Sandoval, A Cárdenas
1San Carlos University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. falf@hotmail.com
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution intracoronary imaging for detailed atherosclerotic plaque analysis and intervention assessment. This advanced imaging tool enhances understanding of coronary artery disease and improves clinical decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Technology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers unprecedented spatial resolution (15 μm) for intracoronary imaging.
- OCT provides detailed visualization of coronary microstructure and atherosclerotic plaque composition.
- Its clinical use is expanding, establishing it as a robust research tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the capabilities of OCT in intracoronary imaging.
- To demonstrate OCT's role in assessing plaque vulnerability and coronary interventions.
- To underscore OCT's value in understanding coronary artery disease pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing OCT's high spatial resolution for microstructure analysis.
- Applying OCT for plaque composition assessment (lipid, fibrous, calcified).
- Employing OCT to evaluate intervention outcomes (stent expansion, malapposition, dissection).
Main Results:
- OCT accurately measures fibrous cap thickness and detects thin-cap fibroatheromas.
- Plaque ruptures and thrombus are clearly identified in acute coronary syndromes.
- OCT surpasses intravascular ultrasound in detecting minor stent deployment issues and assessing neointimal proliferation.
Conclusions:
- OCT is crucial for accurate intracoronary plaque characterization and vulnerability assessment.
- OCT significantly aids in evaluating and optimizing coronary interventions.
- OCT is invaluable for unraveling stent failure mechanisms and advancing coronary artery disease research.
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