Clinical use of intravascular ultrasound.
Intravascular ultrasound has dramatically changed our view of atherosclerotic disease and has helped to define mechanisms of therapeutic interventions, providing a new rationale for selection of appropriate devices. Currently, this technology is used for sizing and orientation of commonly performed interventions such as balloon angioplasty and directional atherectomy. The information from intravascular ultrasound has also led to a dramatic change in the deployment algorithm of stents. Further improvements in catheter design and the findings from clinical trials utilizing intravascular ultrasound will help define a practical role for this new technology.
Schwarzacher
S P
SP
Center for Research in Cardiovascular Interventions, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA.
Fitzgerald
P J
PJ
Yock
P G
PG
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017225:Atherectomy, Coronary; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015607:Stents; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional