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Imaging atherosclerotic plaque composition with intracoronary optical coherence tomography

  • Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands
  • Published:
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Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows highly accurate diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaques, including measurement of the thickness of fibrous caps, permitting an assessment of the risk of rupture. While the OCT image presents morphological information in highly resolved detail, it relies on interpretation by trained readers for the identification of tissue type. We developed a method for quantitative classification of atherosclerotic plaque constituents. The optical attenuation coefficient μ t distinguishes different tissue types: necrotic core and macrophage infiltration exhibit strong attenuation, μ t ≥10 mm−1, while calcific and fibrous tissue have a lower μ t ≈2–5 mm−1. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:448–50.)

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    G. van Soest

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  1. G. van Soest
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  2. T. P. M. Goderie
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  3. N. Gonzalo
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  4. S. Koljenović
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  5. G. L. J. H. van Leenders
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  6. E. Regar
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  7. P. W. Serruys
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  8. A. F. W. van der Steen
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Correspondence to G. van Soest.

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Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Interventional Cardiology, Thorax Center, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, and Interuniversity Cardiology Institute of the Netherlands, the Netherlands

G. van Soest Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Center, Erasmus MC, PO Box 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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van Soest, G., Goderie, T.P.M., Gonzalo, N. et al. Imaging atherosclerotic plaque composition with intracoronary optical coherence tomography. NHJL 17, 448–450 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086301

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086301

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