title: Characterization of coronary atherosclerosis by intravascular imaging modalities.
abstract: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is highly prevalent in Western countries and is associated with morbidity, mortality, and a significant economic burden. Despite the development of anti-atherosclerotic medical therapies, many patients still continue to suffer from coronary events. This residual risk indicates the need for better risk stratification and additional therapies to achieve more reductions in cardiovascular risk. Recent advances in imaging modalities have contributed to visualizing atherosclerotic plaques and defining lesion characteristics in vivo. This innovation has been applied to refining revascularization procedure, assessment of anti-atherosclerotic drug efficacy and the detection of high-risk plaques. As such, intravascular imaging plays an important role in further improvement of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAD. The current article reviews available intravascular imaging modalities with regard to its method, advantage and disadvantage.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan; ; Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduated School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Honda
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan ;
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Kataoka
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan ;
authors: Tomoaki
authors: T
authors: Kanaya
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan ;
authors: Teruo
authors: T
authors: Noguchi
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan; ; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduated School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors: Hisao
authors: H
authors: Ogawa
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan; ; Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduated School of Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Yasuda
keywords: Atherosclerosis; imaging; plaque