title: Intravascular ultrasound as a guiding modality for mechanical atherectomy and laser ablation.
abstract: One of the most compelling practical applications for intravascular ultrasound imaging is in enhancing the safety and efficacy of the second-generation catheter devices designed to ablate or remove plaque. Initial studies have shown that intravascular ultrasound is well suited to demonstrate the amount of atheroma present in a vessel, and the distribution within the vessel wall at any given point.  Further clinical studies are required to determine whether more complete debulking of atheroma, guided by ultrasound imaging, has a favorable impact in reducing the rates of acute closure and restenosis following the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Yock
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Linker
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Angelsen
mesh_terms: D016342:Angioplasty, Laser / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods