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Imaging of Vulnerable Plaques Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Risk Stratification of Atherosclerosis

  • Coronary Heart Disease (JA Farmer, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Although the prevalent approach in cardiology is largely “stenosis-centric,” it has been long known that most acute coronary events are caused by apparently angiographically nonsignificant stenosis. This has led to a gradual paradigm shift from detection of significant stenosis to detection of lesion instability. A number of imaging modalities have been developed that help in this quest; however, none have been as promising as near-infrared spectroscopy used for detection of coronary plaque characteristics. In this article we discuss the various invasive imaging tools available to the interventional cardiologist, with special emphasis on near-infrared spectroscopy as a key emerging imaging technology.

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No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Saurabh Sanon, Tim Dao & Vani P. Sanon

  2. Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Audie L Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Robert Chilton

  3. Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Janey Briscoe Center of Excellence for CV Research, San Antonio and Audie L Murphy VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Robert Chilton

Authors
  1. Saurabh Sanon
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  2. Tim Dao
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  3. Vani P. Sanon
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  4. Robert Chilton
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Correspondence to Robert Chilton.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Coronary Heart Disease

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Sanon, S., Dao, T., Sanon, V.P. et al. Imaging of Vulnerable Plaques Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Risk Stratification of Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 15, 304 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-012-0304-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-012-0304-6

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