Three dimensional reconstruction of cross sectional intracoronary ultrasound: clinical or research tool?

Inarecent survey conducted in30centres withlarge experience inintracoronary ultrasound, threedimensional reconstruction of intracoronary ultrasound wasrankedasthe technical development withthelowest priority,' suggesting thatitisperceived bymost usersof intracoronary ultrasound as a research toolwithlimited clinical relevance. However, although cross sectional ultrasound provides uniqueinformation onlumenand wall pathology, itcannot determine thespatial relationships amongmultiple ultrasonic cross sections. Theneedtoexamine vessel architecturelongitudinally explains themanyefforts todevelop methodsofthreedimensional reconstruction ofintracoronary ultrasound images.2 3 Inthis paperwepresent thesteps required forthree dimensional reconstruction ofintracoronary images andthemethods ofdisplay andquantitative analysis. Limitations ofthe technique anditscurrent andfuture clinical potential arediscussed.