Current limitations and future of optical coherence tomography angiography

Nontoxic Intralipid-DSPE-PEG2000-COOH Nanoparticles as Optical Coherence Tomography Contrast Agents for Tumor Angiography in Live Animals

“…Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a recently developed imaging modality that provides micron-scale resolution of highly detailed, volumetric blood flow information using intravascular dynamic scattering signals derived from the movements of red blood cells (RBCs) to investigate vascular networks, microcirculation, and microenvironment in the living body. − However, the low hematocrit and prolonged latency between RBCs in capillaries make these OCTA signals discontinuous, leading to incomplete mapping of the vascular networks. , Additionally, traditional OCTA imaging of microvascular circulation is particularly challenging in tumors due to the abnormally slow blood flow in the angiogenic tumor vessels and strong scattering as well as significant light attenuation by solid tumor tissue. , The use of molecular contrast agents with OCT imaging techniques has the potential to solve this dilemma and create deeper imaging depth with a more complete vascular network and richer molecular-level information in tumor tissues. , …”