Identification and quantification of macrophage presence in coronary atherosclerotic plaques by optical coherence tomography

Abstract

OCT was able to identify and quantify macrophage presence in coronary artery specimens using tissue property indexes. NSD and granulometry index showed the highest accuracy in identifying a significant plaque inflammation, especially if used together in a two-step algorithm.

Clinical Characterization of Coronary Atherosclerosis With Dual-Modality OCT and Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Imaging

“…In combination with our previous ex vivo study (12), these findings support our original rationale for combining OCT and NIRAF to better delineate and characterize atherosclerotic lesions that are at risk of progression. Although the correlation shown here between NIRAF and plaque inflammation has been established using an objective method for OCT image quantification (18,19) these results should be considered as hypothesis generating. Plaque components other than macrophages give rise to an appearance of punctate high OCT signal regions and OCT has not been demonstrated to distinguish between active and inactive macrophages and other macrophage subtypes (20).…”

Multi-Imaging Investigation to Evaluate the Relationship between Serum Cystatin C and Features of Atherosclerosis in Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

“…Standard techniques and medications were used. Three vessel OCT acquisition and analyses were previously described [12,17,18]. For each patient the number of lipid-rich plaques and lipid-rich plaques with macrophages and thin cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) were established.…”

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography: technologies and clinical applications [Invited]

“…Intravascular OCT imaging provides three-dimensional data on the detailed microstructure of the coronary wall that can be used to guide interventional procedures and provides information about the diagnosis of atherosclerotic lesions. The main advantage of OCT for imaging coronary atherosclerosis is its high resolution that enables the differentiation of many macro and microscopic features, including lipid [104], calcium [104], cholesterol crystals [105], thrombus [106], and accumulations of macrophages [107,108] that enable the discrimination of plaque type (Fig. 8).…”