Atherosclerosis and Atheroma Plaque Rupture: Imaging Modalities in the Visualization of Vasa Vasorum and Atherosclerotic Plaques

Figure 4

Representative OCT images of coronary plaque with microchannels. (a), (b) Two consecutive cross-sectional OCT images. Eccentric lipid-rich plaque (L) was imaged. Two microchannels (arrow) were located in thickened intima at shoulder region of plaque. (c) Proximal site adjacent to plaque imaged in Figures (a) and (b). Two microchannels (arrow) were located in thickened intima at 7-o’clock position. Intracoronary thrombus (arrowhead) was also visualized. (d) Minimum lumen area site. Lipid-rich plaque was visualized. (e) Lipid-rich plaque covered by thin fibrous cap (50 μm) imaged and found to be thin cap fibroatheroma. Reprint with permission from [69].