Intravascular Ultrasound Use in Peripheral Arterial and Deep Venous Interventions: Multidisciplinary Expert Opinion...

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Percutaneous revascularization is standard for lower extremity venous and arterial disease.
• Angiography has limitations in accurately assessing vessel parameters and lesion characteristics.
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) overcomes these limitations, showing promise in peripheral interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of lower extremity revascularization.
• To identify knowledge gaps and evidence needs for peripheral IVUS.
• To determine how IVUS can improve patient care and outcomes in peripheral arterial and deep venous disease.

Main Methods:

• Consensus perspectives from a roundtable discussion.
• Involved 15 physicians from interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery.
• Representing 6 cardiovascular specialty societies.

Main Results:

• Angiography's limitations in vessel sizing, stenosis assessment, lesion characterization, and complication diagnosis.
• IVUS demonstrates ability to improve outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Growing evidence supports IVUS benefits in peripheral vascular intervention.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to standardize peripheral vascular IVUS imaging use and approach.
• IVUS can significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial and deep venous pathology.
• Further evidence and standardized protocols are needed to optimize IVUS application in lower extremity revascularization.