EXPERT GROUP CONSENSUS PAPER OF THE RUSSIAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOANGIOLOGY. On the routine use of intravascular imaging modalities (IVUS, OCT) during endovascular interventions for certain types of coronary artery lesions in chronic coronary syndrome; and on the necessity to equip all national CathLabs with intravascular imaging systems

Abstract

Two decades have passed since the introduction of intravascular imaging techniques into clinical practice. These techniques have taken their rightful place in the treatment toolset for coronary atherosclerosis and, without overstating, have completely transformed both the procedure configuration and the daily work in the CathLabs. In addition to the technological advances achieved, it should be noted that substantial amount of qualitative evidences have been accumulated during this time, suggesting the superiority of intravascular imaging techniques over conventional angiography in optimizing percutaneous coronary interventions. Based on the strong evidential base and extensive personal experience, the authors of this paper provide a rationale for the use of intravascular imaging techniques in routine clinical practice, evaluating their role in improving the results of percutaneous coronary interventions. In addition, we propose a three­level system to train specialists and promote intravascular imaging techniques in order to introduce them into the clinical routine of every CathLab in Russia. Keywords: intravascular imaging, percutaneous coronary interventions, IVUS, OCT, optimal stenting