In addition to traditional angiographic and intravascular ultrasound core analysis, Cardialysis is an innovative leader in the field, continually researching new and emerging imaging modalities. Such an approach ensures that the evaluation of a particular device/drug will be carried out using cutting edge technology whilst maximising the information gained from a clinical study. Closely guided by clinical experts in the specific field, Cardialysis serves as a Core Laboratory for a variety of these imaging techniques.

A recent successful example of implementing a novel intra-vascular imaging research technique is with optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT is a light-based imaging modality permitting the in-vivo visualisation of biologic tissues with an unmatched resolution of 15 microns. This unique capability has resulted in OCT being rapidly adopted and accepted in stent studies with the ability to provide accurate assessment of both stent apposition and tissue coverage over individual stent struts. Other exciting applications include the detailed assessment of the vessel wall and its structural changes over time together with the characterisation of atherosclerotic plaque components.

Literature References
1. Regar E, van Leeuwen AMGJ, Serruys PW (Eds): Optical coherence tomography in cardiovascular research. London: Informa Healthcare. 2007. ISBN 1841846112.
2. Tanimoto S, Rodriguez-Granillo G, Barlis P, de Winter S, Bruining N, Hamers R, Knappen M, Verheye S, Serruys PW, Regar E: A novel approach for quantitative analysis of intracoronary optical coherence tomography. High inter-observer agreement with computer-assisted contour detection. Cathetet Cardiovasc Int 2008,
3. Gonzalo N, Garcia Garcia H, Serruys PW, Commissaris K, Gobbens P, Costa MA, Regar E: Reproducibility of quantitative strut stent analysis with optical coherence tomography. EuroIntervention 2009;5(2):224-32.
4. Gonzalo N, Serruys PW, Okamura T, Shen JZ, Onuma Y, Garcia-Garcia HM, Sarno G, Schultz C, van Geuns RJ, Ligthart J, Regar E: Optical coherence tomography assessment of the acute effects of stent implantation on the vessel wall: a systematic quantitative approach. Heart. 2009 Dec;95(23):1913-9.
5. Gonzalo N, Serruys PW, Okamura T, van Beusekom HM, Garcia-Garcia HM, van Soest G, van der Giessen W, Regar E. Optical coherence tomography patterns of stent restenosis. Am Heart J. 2009 Aug;158(2):284-93.
6. Ormiston JA, Serruys PW, Regar E, Dudek D, Thuesen L, Webster MWI, Onuma Y, Garcia-Garcia HM, McGreevy R, Veldhof S: A bioabsorabable everolimus-eluting coronary stent system for patients with single de-novo coronary artery lesions (ABSORB): a prospective open-label trial. Lancet 2008; 371:899-907
7. Barlis P, Serruys PW, Gonzalo N, van der Giessen WJ, de Jaegere PJ, Regar E: Assessment of culprit and remote coronary narrowings using optical coherence tomography with long-term outcomes. Am J Cardiol. 2008 Aug 15;102(4):391-5.
8. Prati F, Regar E, Mintz G, Arbustini E, Di Mario C, Jang IK, Akasaka T, Costa M, Guagliumi G, Grube E, Ozaki Y, Pinto F and Serruys PW for the Expert’s document . Expert review on methodology, terminology and clinical applications of optical coherence tomography. Physical principles, methodology of image acquisition and clinical application for assessment of coronary arteries and atherosclerosis. Eur Heart J. 2010 Feb;31(4):401-15.
9. Gonzalo N, Tearney GJ, Serrruys PW, van Soest G, Okamura T, Garcia-Garcia HM, van Geuns RJ, van der Ent M, Ligthart J, Bouma BE, Regar E: Second generation optical coherence tomography. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2010. In press.