Coronary optical coherence tomography: A practical overview of current clinical applications

Coronary optical coherence tomography has emerged as the most powerful in-vivo imaging modality to evaluate vessel structure in detail. It is a useful research tool that provides insights into the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. This technology has an important clinical role that is still being developed. We review the evidence on the wide spectrum of potential clinical applications for coronary optical coherence tomography, which encompass the successive stages in coronary artery disease management: accurate lesion characterization and quantification of stenosis, guidance for the decision to perform percutaneous coronary intervention and subsequent planning, and evaluation of immediate and long-term results following intervention.