Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Plaque Characterization

A near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy catheter-based system has been developed for intracoronary detection of lipid-rich plaques, capable of scanning an artery through blood and during cardiac motion. The lipid-rich plaque chemometric algorithm was validated in an ex vivo study using coronary artery specimens from autopsy hearts. A parallel clinical study was performed to demonstrate safety of the system in patients and the similarity of spectra acquired in vivo to data from the ex vivo study. Proof of spectral similarity between data obtained in patients and data from autopsy specimens is required to demonstrate the applicability of the algorithm to patients, in whom tissue for analysis is not available. A preliminary analysis in an unblinded cohort of patients from the clinical study reported promising results. The final results of the clinical study will be submitted for publication. The potential clinical value of this NIR spectroscopy device is discussed. (J Interven Cardiol 2008;21:452-458).