Table 1.
Comparison between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
| Parameter | IVUS | OCT |
|---|---|---|
| Bio-Photonics | ||
| Wave source | Ultrasound | Light |
| Wave length | 40,000 nm | 1,250 to 1,350 nm |
| Axial resolution | 50 – 150 μm | 10 – 20 μm |
| Penetration depth | 5-6 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Blood clearance | Moderate backscatter from blood. Does not require blood clearance | Requires clearance of blood |
| Pre-PCI lesion assessment | ||
| Visualization of intima (OCT superior) | ++ | +++ |
| Visualization of EEL under plaque burden (IVUS superior) |
+++ | + |
| Plaque microstructures (OCT superior) | + | +++ |
| Plaque calcium (OCT superior) | ++ | +++ |
| Plaque vulnerability (OCT superior) | + | +++ |
| Thrombus (OCT superior) | + | +++ |
| Post PCI optimization | ||
| Stent malapposition (OCT superior) | ++ | +++ |
| Stent expansion (Equivalent) | +++ | +++ |
| Plaque prolapse (OCT superior) |
++ | +++ |
| Stent edge dissection (OCT superior) | ++ | +++ |
| Left main and ostial disease (IVUS superior) | +++ | + |
| Assessment of stent failure (OCT superior) | ++ | +++ |
| Biodegradable stents (OCT superior) | + | +++ |
+ its feasible, ++ its good, +++ its an excellent imaging modality for that particular subset.