Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The major cause (86%) of cardiovascular death from heart attacks as well as the major cause (45%) of deaths from brain aneurysm are due to less obtrusive plaques known as vulnerable plaques that rupture suddenly and trigger a blood clot or thrombus that blocks blood flow1-4. Early detection of plaque lesions is the first and necessary step in preventing the lethal consequences of atherosclerosis4,5.
In order to investigate the morphology and severity of atherosclerotic lesions, imaging techniques such as angiography,…