title: Ultrasound attenuation behind coronary atheroma without calcification: mechanism revealed by autopsy.
abstract: When performing intravascular ultrasound studies, the backward echo image can show marked attenuation, although there are no calcified deposits and it may be impossible to detect the intraplaque architecture. The pathology underlying this phenomenon was investigated in autopsy specimens. We hypothesize that the mechanism responsible for the attenuation involves micro-calcification and lipid in unstable plaques causing ultrasonic wave reflection and dispersion.
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsunoda
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moroi
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Taeko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kunimasa
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.forename: Masamichi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Raisuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: Rintaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshitama
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional