[Intracoronary imaging modalities in interventional cardiology]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Interventional cardiology has significantly advanced due to technical and pharmacological innovations.
• Current imaging modalities, primarily X-ray-based angiography, have limitations in interpreting complex three-dimensional vascular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe additive imaging technologies that overcome the limitations of traditional angiography.
• To highlight how intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intravascular optical coherence tomography enhance diagnostic information.

Main Methods:

• Review of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technology.
• Review of intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology.
• Comparison of IVUS and OCT with conventional angiography for intravascular imaging.

Main Results:

• IVUS provides cross-sectional imaging of vessel walls, offering plaque characterization and lumen measurements.
• OCT delivers high-resolution, near-histological images, enabling detailed visualization of lumen and vessel wall morphology.
• Both IVUS and OCT provide complementary information to angiography, improving the understanding of intravascular anatomy.

Conclusions:

• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are valuable additive technologies in interventional cardiology.
• These advanced imaging techniques significantly improve the resolution and information content compared to traditional X-ray imaging.
• Optimizing intravascular imaging with IVUS and OCT enhances diagnostic capabilities and supports better procedural guidance.