 | This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. (September 2016) |
| Endoscopic optical coherence tomography | |
|---|---|
 Example of intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of atherosclerosis. Between 6 and 8 o'clock it is possible to observe a fibrocalcific atherosclerotic plaque. |
Endoscopic optical coherence tomography, also intravascular optical coherence tomography is a catheter-based imaging application of optical coherence tomography (OCT).[1] It is capable of acquiring high-resolution images from inside a blood vessel using optical fibers and laser technology.
One of its main applications is for coronary arteries, which are often treated by endoscopic, minimally invasive surgical procedures.[2] Other applications for peripheral arteries and for neurovascular procedures have been proposed and are being investigated. Neurovascular applications required significant technological developments, due to the highly tortuous anatomy of the cerebrovasculature.
Intravascular OCT rapidly creates three-dimensional images at a resolution of approximately 15 micrometers, an improved resolution with respect to intravascular ultrasound and coronary angiogram, the other imaging techniques.[3] This offers additional information that can be used to optimize the treatment and management of vascular disease.
- ^ Gora MJ, Suter MJ, Tearney GJ, Li X (May 2017). "Endoscopic optical coherence tomography: technologies and clinical applications [Invited]". Biomedical Optics Express. 8 (5): 2405–2444. doi:10.1364/BOE.8.002405. PMC 5480489. PMID 28663882.
- ^ Kumar A, Yadav N, Singh S, Chauhan N (July 2016). "Minimally invasive (endoscopic-computer assisted) surgery: Technique and review". Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery. 6 (2): 159–164. doi:10.4103/2231-0746.200348. PMC 5343621. PMID 28299251.
- ^ Bezerra HG, Costa MA, Guagliumi G, Rollins AM, Simon DI (November 2009). "Intracoronary optical coherence tomography: a comprehensive review clinical and research applications". JACC. Cardiovascular Interventions. 2 (11): 1035–1046. doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2009.06.019. PMC 4113036. PMID 19926041.