New imaging technique optical coherence tomography (OCT) is better at detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques than current methods, say researchers.
Unlike normal atherosclerotic plaques, vulnerable plaques (VP) are susceptible to sudden rupture, which blocks blood flow, thus causing a heart attack. VPs have been notoriously difficult to detect because of their composition. However, So-Yeon Choi and colleagues at Ajou University School of Medicine in Suwon, Korea have found that the ability of optical coherence tomography to produce high resolution images – 10-times greater than those produced by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and virtual histology (VH-IVUS) – means that the technique is four-to-fives times better at detecting VPs than current imaging techniques.
The researchers hope that OCT will enable researchers to learn more about the etiology of coronary artery disease.
Choi SY, et al. Comparison of intravascular modalities for detecting vulnerable plaque: conventional ultrasound vs. virtual histology vs. optical coherence tomography. This study is due to be presented at the 20th Annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Scientific Symposium. October 12-17th 2008, Washington, DC.
