Title: IVUS Plaque Correlation to Cardiovascular Death <br/>Author: Semhar Tewelde<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/352/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
<u><strong>IVUS Plaque Correlation to Cardiovascular Death </strong></u></p>
<p>
Several non-invasive studies are currently utilized for the identification of coronary artery disease (i.e. coronary CTA, intravascular ultrasound- IVUS, etc.)</p>
<p>
Few studies have quantified which of those with CAD (i.e. coronary plaques) are considered high-risk or unstable plaques</p>
<p>
A recent study utilizing IVUS looked at autopsies over a 2 year-period comparing near-infrared detection of high-risk plaques and cardiovascular related deaths</p>
<p>
IVUS findings associated with CAD are classified into 3 categories: echo-attenuation, echolucent zone, and spotty calcification</p>
<p>
Echo-attenuated plaques, especially superficial echo-attenuation, was found to be a significant and reliable finding suggestive of vulnerable plaques and future cardiovascular death </p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<p>
Pu J, Mintz G, et al. Insights into echo-attenuated plaques, echolucent plaques, and plaques with spotty calcification. JACC Vol 63, No 2, 2014.</p>
</fieldset>