Non-invasive assessment of myocardial ischaemia by using low amplitude oscillations of the conventional ECG signals (ECG dispersion mapping) during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: The HeartVue 6S System is a recently developed novel technology that may provide non-invasive assessment of myocardial ischaemia by analysing low amplitude oscillations of the conventional ECG signals (ECG dispersion mapping). The available data to validate this new technology is limited. Therefore we performed a prospective study to assess the HeartVue 6S System for the detection of myocardial ischaemia during coronary occlusion in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

In vivo association between positive coronary artery remodelling and coronary plaque characteristics assessed by intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Aims: Positive coronary arterial remodelling has been shown to be associated with unstable coronary syndromes and ex vivo histological characteristics of plaque vulnerability such as a large lipid core and high macrophage content. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vivo association between coronary artery remodelling and underlying plaque characteristics identified by optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is a unique imaging modality capable of characterizing these important morphological features of vulnerable plaque.

Relationship between a systemic inflammatory marker, plaque inflammation, and plaque characteristics determined by intravascular optical coherence tomography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between the peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count, local plaque fibrous cap macrophage density, and the morphological features and presence of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFA) identified by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods And Results: OCT was performed in patients undergoing catheterization. Images were analyzed using validated criteria for plaque characteristics.