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Intravascular imaging modalities are used clinically to investigate ambiguous angiographic coronary lesions, guide and optimise stent deployment, and assess stent-related complications. Both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) facilitate characterisation of plaque components, although a lack of adequate spatial resolution and depth of penetration, respectively, limit their clinical application. Adaptation of the existing technologies and novel techniques are in development but require further validation. We have developed an ex-vivo whole heart cadaveric model that facilitates multi-modality imaging and accurate comparison with histology.

We have developed a model for fluoroscopic and invasive assessment of coronary arteries within “whole heart” cadaveric specimens. Hearts are provided by the West of England heart valve bio-bank, following …