Intravascular Ultrasound for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.

Limitations of angiography for assessment of coronary artery disease are well-known, but are more evident and relevant in the left main coronary artery (LMCA) segment given the amount of myocardium this vessel subtends and the risks associated with the presence of atherosclerosis and subsequent intervention. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) characterizes the severity of luminal narrowing, plaque morphology, and plaque extension into the distal bifurcation. Once the indication for percutaneous intervention (PCI) is established, information provided by IVUS is crucial to plan treatment and optimize results. IVUS-guided PCI with drug-eluting stents improves clinical outcomes, particularly in patients with distal left main disease.