Optical coherence tomography in coronary atherosclerosis

Despite developments in therapeutic and diagnostic technologies, the global burden of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is increasing. Intravascular imaging has become an invaluable adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a catheter based invasive imaging system that uses light instead of ultrasound to produce high resolution in vivo images of coronary arteries and deployed stents. The technical aspects of intracoronary image acquisition, advantages, disadvantages of use and current applications of OCT in coronary atherosclerosis are discussed.