[In vivo detection of coronary artery calcification by optical coherence tomography.]

Acute coronary syndromes are caused by sudden luminal thrombosis due to plaque rupture, plaque erosion, or calcified nodule in coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Coronary calcification is a well-known marker of atherosclerotic plaque burden. Accurate evaluation of coronary calcification is critical for percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)strategy. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)is a high-resolution(10~20 μm)intravascular imaging technique that uses near infrared light to create images. OCT allows us to identify the details of coronary calcification and assess the effect of cutting balloon angioplasty and rotational atherectomy. Then, OCT is a useful technique to guide PCI in the severe calcified lesions.