ISSUES in CARDIOVASCULAR OCT (under Construction)

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This page raises issues or concerns in cardiovascular OCT for discussion.  Much of this is discussed in our groups 2011 Circulation article, but comments encouraged (BUT THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR CARDVIOVASCULAR OCT IS THE LACK OF STUDIES TO DATE WHOSE DESIGN WOULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN PATIENT MANAGEMENT):

1. Questionable ability to differentiate lipid from nonlipid plaque. There are techniques for potentially improving this, but without recognizing the problem, there is reduced effort.
2. Reduced dynamic range (penetration) of SS-OCT compared to TD-OCT. There are techniques for potentially improving this, but without recognizing the problem, there is reduced effort.
3. Scarcity of morbidity or mortality studies in the first decade of the millennium.
4. Minimal markers guiding stent placement to predict outcomes.

5. Need for use of adjuvant techniques such as PS-OCT for better characterizing plaque.

6. 6.An OCT guidewire with interventional procedures.
   

7. 7.Also see macrophage in OCT page (click)?
   

References:

Brezinski ME. Circulation. 2011 Jun 28;123(25):2913-5
BOOK:  Brezinski, M.E.  Optical Coherence Tomography: Principles and Practice