Intracoronary ultrasound and angioscopic imaging facilitating the understanding and treatment of post-infarction angina.

We report on the use of intravascular ultrasound, coronary angioscopy and on-line quantitative angiography in an unstable patient soon after myocardial infarction. Combined intracoronary imaging made it possible to solve the therapeutic problem posed by an unusual angiographic appearance secondary to intracoronary thrombolysis during coronary recanalization. The pathological validation of the observations performed with angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound was made possible with the concomitant use of directional atherectomy.