Coronary artery characterization based on tissue elasticity imaging - in vivo assessment

Diagnosis of pathologies like atherosclerotic plaque is important for preventing plaque rupture, which induces acute ischemic syndromes. We investigated a method of diagnosing plaque based on elasticity imaging using IVUS that reflects mechanical properties of the tissue of arteries. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of the developed measurement systems for characterizing coronary arteries. To this end, we conducted in-vivo tests of performance and demonstrated that different types of plaque can be discriminated, revealing the potential of elasticity imaging for diagnosing types of plaque and preventing plaque rupture.