OBJECTIVETo evaluate coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and changes post coronary stenting by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODSOCT images were obtained in 22 diseased coronary vessels after coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in 20 patients and in 23 stents [7 sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) follow up at 4-29 months post stenting and 8 bare mental stents (BMS) at 4-35 months post stenting, 8 stents immediately after PCI].

RESULTSAll 22 vessels and 23 stents OCT images were successfully acquired. Two thromboses, 8 fibrous, 9 lipid-rich and 3 calcium plaques as well as 3 plaque ruptures were visualized by OCT. No significant neointimal proliferation and restenosis were found in SES stents and some struts were not covered with neointima even at 29 months post stenting. Significant neointimal proliferation on surfaces of stent struts were visualized in all 8 BMS stents and restenosis was detected in 3 BMS stents. OCT images obtained immediately after PCI showed that 3 stents were well positioned, tissue prolapse between coronary stent struts occurred in 4 stents and stent dissociation with vessel wall could be seen in 1 stent.

CONCLUSIONSOCT imaging can clearly visualize different types of atherosclerotic plaques. By providing detailed information on plaque characteristics, this technique might help cardiologists in choosing suitable stents and guiding preventive therapy for patients with coronary heart disease.