Coronary plaque imaging by coronary computed tomography angiography

Table 3 Characteristics of various imaging modalities for analysis of coronary vulnerable plaque

Modalities	Characteristics of vulnerable plaque
MDCT	Low-attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification[18]
	Ring-like enhancement[13], napkin-ring sign[28,29]
IVUS	Low echoic, positive remodeling, spotty calcification[30]
	Echo signal attenuation[31]
OCT	Lipid-rich plaque by a signal-poor region with a diffuse border[32]
	TCFA (large lipid core and a thin fibrous cap < 65 μm)[33]
	Macrophages imaging[34]
Angioscopy	Intensive yellow plaque, presence of thrombus[35]

MDCT: Multi-detector computed tomography; IVUS: Intravascular ultrasound; OCT: Optical coherence tomography; TCFA: Thin-cap fibroatheroma.