Percutaneous coronary angioscopy

Abstract

Morphologic changes in the coronary arteries of patients with ischemic heart disease were evaluated by angiography. Although a powerful diagnostic tool, angiography can show only the shadow of the luminal changes and therefore is an insufficient tool for diagnosis of pathological changes. Recent advances in fiberoptic technology now enable observation of the luminal changes even in small diameter vessels. The fiberscope is now used for observation of experimental thrombosis and thrombolysis; laser irradiation induced changes in cadaveric hearts and vessels; luminal changes in peripheral vessels and the pulmonary artery, laser-induced changes in femoral arteries in patients with obstructive atherosclerosis; thromboemboli in patients with pulmonary embolism6); cardiac chambers and valves in animals and in various categories of heart disease in man, and for guidance of endomyocardial biopsy. The angioscope is also used for observation of the coronary arteries during coronary artery bypass surgery. Recently, the coronary artery has also been observed during cardiac catheterization. In this study, we describe percutaneous angioscopy of the coronary artery during routine cardiac catheterization or intervention.