INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND (IVUS)

Abstract

In the last years, several devices have been implemented to overcome coronary angiography limitations. Among these, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) certainly represents the largest used tool in daily practice. In fact, ultrasound waves are able to returns information about plaque composition, lumen area and vessel diameters and, moreover, about stent-vessel wall interaction (underexpansion and malapposition). Guiding complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (i.e., bifurcation, left main and chronic total occlusion), and assessment of stent failure mechanisms, are the principal scenarios where it is used. Recently, several trials and meta-analyses comparing angiographical- versus IVUSguidance PCI support better procedural outcomes associated with better mid- and longterm clinical outcomes by IVUS guidance.