Coronary Imaging

A computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiogram is an imaging test that looks at the arteries that supply blood to the heart. A CT coronary angiogram uses a powerful X-ray machine to produce images of the heart and its blood vessels. The test is used to diagnose a variety of heart conditions.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) uses a tiny ultrasound transducer mounted on the tip of a catheter to image the interior of blood vessels. IVUS can be used to assess vessel/lumen diameter, lesion length, help determine the amount of plaque buildup in a vessel and its composition, and check to ensure stents have been properly placed and fully deployed. It can also help measure the effectiveness of balloon angioplasty or stenting during follow ups.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging technology for performing high-resolution cross-sectional imaging. OCT is analogous to ultrasound imaging, except that it uses light instead of sound. OCT can provide cross-sectional images of tissue structure on the micron scale in situ and in real time. Using OCT in combination with catheters and endoscopes enables high-resolution intraluminal imaging of organ systems. OCT can function as a type of optical biopsy and is a powerful imaging technology for medical diagnostics because unlike conventional histopathology which requires removal of a tissue specimen and processing for microscopic examination, OCT can provide images of tissue in situ and in real time. OCT can be used where standard excisional biopsy is hazardous or impossible, to reduce sampling errors associated with excisional biopsy, and to guide interventional procedures.