Table 1 Advantages and drawback of Intra vascular ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and high resolution trans thoracic echoacardiogram for the coronary artery investigation
From: Status and potential clinical value of a transthoracic evaluation of the coronary arteries
| Method | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Intra Vascular Ultra Sound | High spatial resolution | Invasive nature |
| Wall thickness measurement | ||
| Three layers coronary artery | ||
| Characterization of the vulnerable plaque | ||
| Availability | ||
| Safety wall vizualization | ||
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Wall thickness measurement | Low spatial resolution |
| Characterization of the vulnerable plaque | Technically challenging (cardiac and respiratory motion, small size and non linear course of the coronary vessels) | |
| Magnetic resonance angiography | ||
| Safety | Low availabitity | |
| High cost | ||
| High Resolution Trans Thoracic Echocardiogram | Wall thickness measurement | No visualization of the entire coronary arteries |
| High spatial resolution | No characterization of the vulnerable plaque | |
| Doppler information | ||
| Availability | Need for a good acoustic window | |
| Safety | Artifact if calcification | |
| Low cost |