Dear Colleagues,

Intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution, infrared light-based imaging modality that can provide important information regarding the morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques, as well as the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Specifically, OCT allows qualitative and quantitative assessment of microstructures such as the fibrous cap, lipid core, macrophages, calcium, cholesterol crystals, thrombus, and more. It has also been used in PCI for procedural guidance, guiding device selection for lesion preparation, providing quantitative measurements for sizing, and assessing stent expansion and PCI-induced vascular trauma. Moreover, OCT can provide useful information regarding the patho-mechanisms involved in stent failure. Recent evidence shows that OCT guidance in PCI may be associated with improved outcomes.

The current issue welcomes submissions on subjects that include, but are not restricted to:

• the role of OCT in procedural guidance
• the use of OCT in the assessment of stent failure
• OCT guidance in specific lesion subsets (bifurcations, calcified lesions, etc.)
• insights into the mechanisms of atherosclerosis obtained by OCT
• recent developments in intracoronary OCT imaging

Ass. Prof. Antonios Karanasos
Guest Editor