Intravascular thermographic assessment in human coronary atherosclerotic plaques by a novel flow-occluding sensing catheter: a safety and feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To report the safety and feasibility of a new occluding thermographic catheter in patients with coronary artery disease.


BACKGROUND
Although plaque temperature heterogeneity is shown in atheromatous plaques, significant underestimation is encountered due to the cooling effect of the uninterrupted blood flow.


METHODS
The catheter was positioned at the stenotic site. Blood flow was interrupted by an expandable braid located at the distal portion of the catheter. Then, thermographic assessment was performed.


RESULTS
In one patient, the catheter could not reach the lesion due to tortuosity. Of the 20 lesions evaluated, 5 were excluded due to unsuccessful interruption of blood flow. We identified 5 lesions with a 0.3 degrees Celcius elevations compared to the same site without interruption of blood flow. There were no procedural complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The new catheter-occluding thermographic device, while avoiding the blood flow cooling effect, appears to be safe and feasible for the assessment of human plaque temperature heterogeneity.
Belardi
Jorge A
JA
Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Albertal
Mariano
M
Cura
Fernando A
FA
Mendiz
Oscar
O
Balino
Pablo Perez
PP
Padilla
Lucio T
LT
Lauer
Michael
M
Korotko
Joe
J
O'Neill
William
W
D000368:Aged; D001831:Body Temperature; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation*