The Potential and Limitations of Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography

There has been analyzed the experience gained on optical coherence tomography (OCT) application for diagnosis and control of arterial sclerotic disease. The principles of OCT-images acquisition have been described; there have been assessed the advantages and disadvantages of intravascular OCT devices used in clinical practice; and safety and the capabilities of intravascular OCT-procedure have been discussed. Great potential of intravascular OCT for understanding and management of arterial sclerotic disease has been demonstrated. There have been considered the possibilities of life-time diagnostics of a “vulnerable” atherosclerosis plaque, the determination of calcium and macrophages content in atherosclerosis plaque, as well as the features of coronarothrombosis. There has been brought to a sharper focus the role of intravascular OCT in stenting monitoring. The ways of improvement of intravascular OCT and its further development prospects have been presented.