[Invasive intracoronary imaging : Role in routine cardiology]

Intracoronary imaging, particularly optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound, provides detailed insights into plaque morphology and facilitates the precise planning and guidance of percutaneous coronary interventions, especially in patients with complex coronary lesions. Based on the results of multiple randomized clinical trials, current clinical guidelines recommend the use of intracoronary imaging for the treatment of complex coronary lesions. However, the appropriate application of both imaging modalities requires a thorough understanding of their technical principles, as well as their respective strengths and limitations. This article therefore reviews the technical fundamentals of optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound, illustrates their clinical application through selected case examples, and summarizes the current evidence supporting their use.