Biomedical Letters

Role of Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT) on Atherosclerotic Plaques in the Carotid Artery and other Vascular Network: A Review

Muhammad Arif Anwar 1, Khawar Ali Shahzad 2, Muhammad Ahmed Javed 3, MD Ruhul Amin 3, Ma Gen Shan *1

1 Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Zhong Da Hospital of Southeast University, No. 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, China

2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, No. 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing, China

3 School of medicine, Southeast University, No. 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing 210009, China

Abstract

The evaluation of carotid artery lesions as a potential target in order to avoid highly devastating ischemic strokes, which are secondary to a severe carotid artery or thromboembolic events from unstable plaques. Recently, a number of diagnostic modalities are in practice to make an early diagnosis of significant stenosis or vulnerable carotid artery plaques namely ultrasonography(USG), computed tomography(CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). The above mentioned diagnostic tools are effective in their diagnostic spectrum, however, are still unable to give an optimal level of reliable diagnostic results. Optic coherence tomography(OCT) is a relatively new technique which is highly specific in distinguishing stable and unstable coronary artery plaques and additionally provide highly characteristic morphological features of those plaque. There are many studies being conducted to evaluate the ability of OCT in comparison with IVUS study of the carotid artery in patients with symptoms or even without the classic symptoms. OCT is currently allowing unprecedented evaluation of carotid artery plaque morphology in patients. Intravascular OCT assessment of plaque provides a high level of axial resolution. Evidence of increased misdiagnosis in cases of intra-luminal thrombus in the carotid artery due to the utilization of casual techniques, namely duplex ultrasonography, and angiography, has emerged. This has urged researchers and physicians to adopt new techniques with advanced capabilities to identify intravascular thrombus, along with gaining a suitable framework for therapeutic techniques. Plaque vulnerability is a very important feature, determined by the thickness of fibrous cap because plaques with the thin fibrous cap are highly prone to rupture. Hence, OCT is the current emerging technique to evaluate the thickness of the fibrous cap.

Keywords: Carotid artery, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, intravascular ultrasonography, angiography, atherosclerosis.

Received October 26, 2016 Revised December 27, 2016 Accepted January 13, 2017

*Correspondence: Ma Gen Shan Email magenshan@hotmail.com Contact: +8613002580569