[Assessment of progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis by intravascular ultrasound. A new paradigm shift?].
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has emerged as a powerful imaging modality for the assessment of the arterial wall and it's response to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque. The ability to image the coronary arteries on a serial basis provides a unique opportunity for IVUS to monitor the impact that potential anti-atherosclerotic strategies exert on plaque burden. As a result, studies incorporating serial IVUS imaging as the primary endpoint have demonstrated that therapeutic strategies that modify LDL, HDL and blood pressure in patients with established coronary artery disease can have a profound impact on the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. This heralds a paradigm shift that emphasizes plaque regression as a potential target in the development of preventive strategies.
Nicholls
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Sipahi
Ilke
I
Tuzcu
E Murat
EM
D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional