Abstract
Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed in vitro on six histologically normal and 104 minimally diseased arteries in patients aged 13 to 83 years. This study tested the hypothesis that normal coronary arteries produce a three-layer image that corresponds to the histologic layers of intima, media, and adventitia. The results showed a very good correlation between area of the echolucent ultrasound layer with the media and the inner echogenic layer with intimal area. In addition, a three-layer appearance was consistently seen when the internal elastic membrane was present with or without intimal hyperplasia. If the internal elastic membrane was absent, a three-layer appearance was still seen if the collagen content of the media was low. However, a two-layer appearance was observed when there was absence of the internal elastic membrane as well as a high collagen content of the media.
Highlights
Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed in vitro on six histologically normal and 104 minimally diseased arteries in patients aged 13 to 83 years
Studies with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in peripheral and coronary vessels have demonstrated a characteristic three-layer appearance in normal and atherosclerotic muscular arteries. 1-8 Theinner echodense layer, the middle echolucent zone, and the outer echodense layer are generally interpreted as the intima, media, and the adventitia, respectively
There are conflicting reports on the usual configuration of IVUS images--whether a threelayer appearance is seen in normal arteries--and diverse interpretations of what the echogenic and echolucent structures represent compared with histologic evidence. 9' 10 Thisstudywas conducted to in
Summary
Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed in vitro on six histologically normal and 104 minimally diseased arteries in patients aged 13 to 83 years. This study tested the hypothesis that normal coronary arteries produce a threelayer image that corresponds to the histologic layers of intima, media, and adventitia. A three-layer appearance was consistently seen when the internal elastic membrane was present with or without intimal hyperplasia. If the internal elastic membrane was absent, a three-layer appearance was still seen if the collagen content of the media was low. Studies with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in peripheral and coronary vessels have demonstrated a characteristic three-layer appearance in normal and atherosclerotic muscular arteries. There are conflicting reports on the usual configuration of IVUS images--whether a threelayer appearance is seen in normal arteries--and diverse interpretations of what the echogenic and echolucent structures represent compared with histologic evidence. There are conflicting reports on the usual configuration of IVUS images--whether a threelayer appearance is seen in normal arteries--and diverse interpretations of what the echogenic and echolucent structures represent compared with histologic evidence. 9' 10 Thisstudywas conducted to in-
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