Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an infrared light-based imaging modality with near-histological resolution (5-15μm) allowing the comprehensive evaluation of the vascular wall and intracoronary devices. This imaging modality has been widely used in clinical practice for the assessment of atherosclerosis and of the impact of interventions on the vascular wall, but also for the guidance of coronary intervention.

The aim of this thesis is to outline the contemporary use of optical coherence tomography in clinical practice and summarize insights gained by this imaging modality into the acute and chronic vascular response after intravascular interventions.

In specific, this thesis intends to:
- Summarize the current status of OCT in clinical practice
- Describe and validate new analysis tools for optical coherence tomography, that allow to overcome some of the current limitations
- Examine the pathomechanisms of very late metallic stent failure with particular emphasis on the role of neoatherosclerosis
- Assess the acute and chronic vascular healing response after bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation and provide pilot observations regarding the pathomechanisms of early and late bioresorbable scaffold failure
- Evaluate the acute effects of catheter-based renal denervation on the renal artery integrity

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F. Zijlstra (Felix) , E.S. Regar (Eveline)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/79804
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Karanasos, A. (2016, January 12). Innovations in the clinical use of OCT. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/79804