3D intravascular endoscopy using CT

Coronary CT angiography can be used to characterize coronary plaques based on both morphology and composition. Coronary plaques are typically evaluated with 2D axial and multiplanar reformatted images. However, these visualization tools are limited to observing extraluminal changes in coronary arteries. The presence of plaque precludes visual visualization of the coronary artery wall within the lumen. Since its invention in 2000, coronary fly-through or virtual angioscopy (VA) has been widely studied. However, its application has been limited by the need for optimal computed tomography (CT) acquisition and time-consuming post-processing. In recent years, advances in post-processing software have simplified his VA design, but until recently, image quality was insufficient for most patients. 3D angioscopy visualization (3DIE) is used to visualize the different coronary artery linings and plaque appearances associated with different plaque types.