In the play of light - Visualization of coronary arteries using optical coherence tomography

Coronary angiography is currently the gold standard in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Selective coronary artery opacification provides invaluable information of the residual vascular lumen; however, the method itself has several limitations in terms of low resolution and lack of information about the adjacent tissues. Hence, several alternative methods have been introduced to improve the diagnostic value of cardiac catheterization. These include physiological measurements as well as auxiliary methods that provide more detailed anatomical information such as intravascular ultrasound imaging. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel method providing high-resolution imaging of the internal coronary surface and the underlying tissues. In this article, we review the background of optical coherence imaging, providing context to its applicability in relation to the current practice of coronary catheterization. Applicability of OCT is demonstrated by the presentation of the first case of coronary OCT in Hungary.