Application of Intravascular Imaging in Forensic Autopsy

With the emergence of new technologies and devices including minimally invasive catheters and rotary couplers, the application of imaging technology such as traditional ultrasound and optical coherence tomography （OCT） is gradually expanded. In recent years, intravascular ultrasound （IVUS） and OCT have become increasingly mature as coronary intravascular imaging techniques, and therefore become an important complementary means of coronary angiography. Although studies on feasibility of clinical applications of IVUS and OCT have been confirmed in the evaluation of previous cadaver studies, these techniques have been neglected in forensic autopsy. This paper reviews the application value of IVUS and OCT in forensic autopsy, especially in the adjuvant evaluation of coronary artery disease. Including the characteristics of IVUS and OCT imaging technology, the problems of coronary examination in traditional autopsy and the specific application of new intravascular imaging technology in forensic autopsy.