A Comparison of Carotid Ultrasound and Coronary Optical Coherence Tomography in Assessing Plaque Morphology in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

Atherosclerosis is a predominant cause of cardiovascular events and the accurate assessment of plaque morphology is crucial for risk stratification and treatment planning. Carotid ultrasound (CUS) and coronary artery optical coherence tomography (OCT) are valuable imaging modalities for evaluating atherosclerotic plaques. This study aimed to compare the reliability of CUS and OCT in assessing plaque morphology and atherosclerosis in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. Forty-six patients with chronic coronary syndrome underwent OCT to evaluate coronary plaques and CUS to assess carotid plaques. The findings showed that both imaging techniques detected the presence of plaques, with OCT providing more detailed information on coronary plaque morphology compared with CUS. OCT and CUS measurements demonstrated significant correlations in lumen stenosis, plaque sizes, and representations of calcified plaques. Furthermore, distinct differences were observed in plaque distribution and characteristics between the coronary and carotid arteries. Certain cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, and obesity were associated with specific plaque properties identified by OCT. This study underscores the complementary roles of OCT and CUS in assessing atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability in patients with chronic coronary syndrome, providing valuable insights for clinical management and treatment strategies.