[Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis]

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a newly developed diagnostic modality for atherosclerosis. Early in vitro studies showed that IVUS could identify normal vessel structures and atherosclerotic lesions, such as intimal thickening, lipid-rich plaque, fibrous plaque, and calcification. In clinical settings, IVUS offers precise quantitative measurement of vascular stenosis as well as providing new information regarding the transmural distribution and the qualitative assessment of vascular atherosclerotic lesions. IVUS is also useful for assessing the results and the mechanisms of catheter-based interventional therapeutic devices, such as balloon angioplasty, laser angioplasty, stent, and atherectomy. The development of three-dimensional reconstruction of ultrasound images would enhance the diagnostic quality and afford a reliable guidance for interventional therapeutic procedures.