Imaging Modality |
SpatialResolution (ì) |
Vessel Wall Penetration(mm) |
Features Detected |
Comments |
Image of vessel wall |
Fibrous Cap |
Lipid Core |
Inflammation |
Calcium |
Thrombus |
Invasive Methods |
Angiography |
|
NA |
* |
|
|
|
* |
* |
Reference standard for stenotic lesions |
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) |
40~100 |
~10 |
* |
* |
* |
|
* |
* |
Characterizes vessel wall and morphology, good for calcified plaque, poor for lipids |
Angioscopy |
Visual |
Poor |
* |
* |
* |
|
|
* |
Direct visualization of lumen surface, using color and surface appearance to identify vulnerable plaques |
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) |
2~30 |
1~2 |
|
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Provides cross-sectional images of vessel wall and quantifies fibrous cap thickness and extent of lipid collections |
Thermography |
500 |
Poor |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Images temperature heterogeneity due to rise in temperature in macrophage-rich areas in plaque |
Raman Spectroscopy |
NA |
1~1.5 |
|
* |
* |
* |
* |
|
Analysis of Raman spectrum for chemical composition of atherosclerotic plaque |
Near infrared Spectroscopy |
2 |
Intravascular MRI |
160 |
Good |
|
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Measurements of cap thickness and characterization of atherosclerotic lesion |
Non-invasive Methods |
Surface Ultrasound |
400 |
Good |
* |
* |
* |
|
* |
* |
Characterizes vessel wall and morphology, good for calcified plaque, poor for lipids |
Computed Tomography |
|
NA |
|
|
|
|
* |
* |
More useful for detection of calcified plaques |
Nuclear Scintigraphy |
Poor |
NA |
|
|
* |
|
|
* |
Based on specific binding of radioactive labeled molecules to the target tissue (such as radiolabeled LDL) |
Standard MRI |
300 |
Good |
|
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
Measurements of cap thickness and characterization of atherosclerotic lesion |