Table 1.

Comparison of OCT and IVUS in clinical applications in cardiology.

		OCT	IVUS
Axial resolution		10 μm	100–200 μm
Penetration depth		1–2 mm	More than 5 mm
Vulnerable plaques identification	Detect thin fibrous cap	Strong. The only clinically available technology to measure fibrous cap thickness	Weak
	Large lipid or necrotic core	Not able to image deeper than 1.5 mm	Strong
	Contrast of lipid and others	Relatively strong	Weak
Plaque type classification	Calcification	Strong	Stronger than OCT
	Lipid	Stronger than IVUS	Weak
	Fibrosis	Stronger than IVUS	Weak
Stent	Small degrees of in-stent neointima	Strong	Weak but more clinical evidence reported
	Uncovered struts	Strong	Weak but more clinical evidence reported