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Understanding the pathophysiology of the arterial wall: which method should we choose? Intra-vascular ultrasound

A. DeFranco*

McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, Michigan, USA

* Correspondence: Anthony DeFranco, Medical Director, Heart and Vascular Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Michigan State University, McLaren Regional Medical Center, 401 S Ballenger Highway, Flint, MI 48532, USA.

Abstract

Intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an ideal technology for studying the progression, stabilization and potential regression of coronary atherosclerosis. Unlike angiography, IVUS is able to image atheroma within the vessel wall directly, allowing measurement of atheroma size, distribution and, to some extent, composition. The tomographical orientation of ultrasound enables visualization of the full 360° circumference of the vessel wall, so that lumen dimensions can be directly planimetered on a cross-sectional image. This allows precise assessment of the extent of disease in vessels that are often difficult to assess with angiography. IVUS also allows excellent resolution of structures within the arterial wall. It provides a reproducible, safe and sensitive method for assessing the development and extent of atherosclerosis, particularly in its earlier, pre-symptomatic stages.

Key Words: Angiography • atherosclerosis • intra-vascular ultrasound

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