Coronary angioscopy



SOurce Springimages

Coronary angioscopy is the current gold standard for the detection of intracoronary thrombus. In comparison with angioscopy; number of clinical studies have been reported the lack of sensitivity of coronary angiography to detect a coronary thrombus.

Clinical use

 * Helpful tool to estimate plaque wall thickness
 * High resolution (10–50 μm)
 * Obtains good surface imaging (i.e., thrombus, color)
 * Provides forward viewing

Types of equipment
Two types of modalities are available. A forward looking camera and a side looking camera.

Disadvantages

 * May cause vascular damage
 * Needs blood displacement