AUTHOR=Barbieri Lucia , D’Errico Andrea , Avallone Carlo , Gentile Domitilla , Provenzale Giovanni , Guagliumi Giulio , Tumminello Gabriele , Carugo Stefano 

TITLE=Optical Coherence Tomography and Coronary Dissection: Precious Tool or Useless Surplus?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.822998

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2022.822998

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Spontaneous coronary dissection (SCAD) is a rare clinical condition, but frequently manifested as acute myocardial infarction. In this particular setting, in recent years, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been established as a possible diagnostic method due to the high spatial resolution (10 to 20 µm), able to visualize the different layers of coronary vessels. OCT allows to better analysed the “binary” or double lumen morphology typical of this entity; furthermore, it is able to identify the entrance breach and the circumferential and longitudinal extension of the lesion. However, we have to emphasize that this technique is not free from complications, OCT could further aggravate a dissection or exacerbate a new intimal tear. Therefore, the use of OCT in the evaluation of SCAD should be defined balancing the diagnostic benefits versus procedural risks. Moreover, we underline that, as SCAD is a rare condition and OCT is a recently introduced technique in clinical practice, few data are nowadays available in literature.