Coronary OCT

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel invasive imaging technique that produces high resolution intracoronary images. Its general principle of operation is similar to IVUS, however OCT uses infrared light, not ultrasound. In recent years, the need for more precise information regarding coronary artery disease to achieve optimal treatment has seen intravascular imaging becoming an area of primary importance in interventional cardiology. OCT in this area has grown and is spreading. It benefits both therapeutic and research purposes and is also proving able to fill gaps in conventional invasive coronary imaging (European Society of Cardiology). Presented in a case-based approach, this book features a plethora of Angio and OCT images with detailed descriptions and video files to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concept of intravascular OCT imaging while performing coronary interventional procedures. Authored by experts in the field, cases have been carefully chosen to illustrate the importance of OCT imaging in assessing plaque morphology, lesion length and diameter, and selection of an appropriate pre-PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) modification strategy. The importance of detecting medial edge dissections and stent malapposition to improve future DES (drug-eluting stent) implantation outcomes, is explained in depth. This comprehensive manual also emphasizes the usefulness of imaging in various complex high-risk subsets of imaging in addition to simple PCI, for example ISR, ST, bifurcation lesions, multivessel PCI, PCI of diffuse long lesions, plaque modification and PCI of calcified coronary arteries.