Intravascular Scanning Devices and Their Clinical Value

Abstract

Reports of intraluminal diagnostic ultrasound methods date back to the early 1950s. In those days researchers described echographic methods with the acoustic element mounted either on a catheter tip, gastroscope pipe, or other means for intraluminal diagnostic applications of ultrasound. One of the compelling reasons for intraluminal approach at that time was the low sensitivity of the available echo transducers and therefore the need to closely approach the organs to be studied. With the success of noninvasive ultrasound diagnostic methods very little was heard about the invasive methods over recent decades. However, with the introduction of interventional vascular methods this changed about 5 years ago. For instance, with lumen dilatation, the initial success rate has been encouraging. However, approximately one-third of the treated lesions show signs of restenosis within a certain period. Other recently developed therapeutic methods also show a restenosis rate which is approximately in this order. The optimal use of these devices for any specific obstruction is not well understood. More knowledge of morphology and geometry of the obstruction is of paramount importance to understand new interventional methods.