Intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT) is particularly helpful during PCI for what purpose?

Intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT) is particularly helpful during PCI for what purpose?

• A. To assess vessel size, plaque morphology, stent expansion, and detect dissections or edge lesions—planning and optimization
• B. To replace angiography entirely
• C. To measure liver enzymes
• D. To monitor heart rate during exercise

Answer: (A)

Intravascular imaging lets you see the inside of the vessel in real time, providing precise information about vessel size, plaque characteristics, and how a stent sits after deployment. This information is crucial for planning and optimizing PCI. By measuring the true reference vessel diameter and lumen area, you can choose the appropriate stent size and length and decide how much balloon pre-dilation or lesion modification is needed. After placing the stent, IVUS or OCT helps confirm adequate expansion and proper apposition to the vessel wall, and it can reveal dissections or edge lesions that might not be visible on angiography alone. If underexpansion, malapposition, or edge problems are detected, you can adjust with additional balloon dilation or another stent before concluding the procedure, reducing the risk of complications like restenosis or thrombosis. These imaging tools are complementary to angiography, not a replacement, and they do not measure unrelated parameters such as liver enzymes or heart rate.

Intravascular imaging lets you see the inside of the vessel in real time, providing precise information about vessel size, plaque characteristics, and how a stent sits after deployment. This information is crucial for planning and optimizing PCI. By measuring the true reference vessel diameter and lumen area, you can choose the appropriate stent size and length and decide how much balloon pre-dilation or lesion modification is needed. After placing the stent, IVUS or OCT helps confirm adequate expansion and proper apposition to the vessel wall, and it can reveal dissections or edge lesions that might not be visible on angiography alone. If underexpansion, malapposition, or edge problems are detected, you can adjust with additional balloon dilation or another stent before concluding the procedure, reducing the risk of complications like restenosis or thrombosis. These imaging tools are complementary to angiography, not a replacement, and they do not measure unrelated parameters such as liver enzymes or heart rate.