Quantitative analysis of intracoronary optical coherence tomography measurements of stent strut apposition and tissue coverage

Abstract

Background: The introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an intracoronary imaging modality has allowed accurate assessment of strut apposition and neointimal tissue coverage. This study set out to assess the inter and intraobserver variability of measurements of acute stent apposition and strut tissue coverage using OCT. Methods: Thirty patients were studied (14 immediately after stent implantation and 16 during follow-up angiography [mean of 4.7 ±2.8 months]) using OCT (LightLab, Westford, Massachusetts, US). Data analysis was performed by 2 experienced observers. Struts were classified as "embedded", "protruding" or "malapposed" to the vessel well and recorded as percentage of..