Optical coherence tomography to guide percutaneous coronary intervention

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses a catheter emitting near-infrared light to produce high-resolution images of blood vessel walls. It may be used to assess stenotic lesions in the coronary arteries and to image the result of stent deployment during percutaneous coronary interventions.

Coronary angiography is used to image coronary arteries immediately before angioplasty. Intravascular ultrasound or OCT may be used to provide additional and complementary information to coronary angiography.