IVUS and NIRS imaging: a pathway to improve outcomes in stable and acute coronary syndromes

Sponsored by Nipro

Anchorperson: J. Escaned

Spokesperson: T. Keeble

Summary

IVUS-guided PCI is well established in complex coronary interventions, but combining it with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is opening a new dimension by linking vessel geometry with plaque biology.

This EuroPCR 2026session explores how IVUS-NIRS imaging improves PCI planning and risk stratification in both stable and acute coronary syndromes. Beyond anatomical assessment, NIRS adds critical information on plaque composition, helping identify high-risk atheroma and better understand the underlying substrate of coronary disease.

In acute coronary syndromes, this combined approach supports the identification of the focal culprit mechanism, contributing to more precise decision-making and improved patient stratification. In stable disease, it strengthens procedural planning by integrating structural and biological insights.

Through case-based examples, the session highlights how intracoronary imaging can refine treatment strategies and reinforce the role of physiology- and biology-driven PCI.

Learning Objectives

To understand why NIRS increases the value of IVUS in planning PCI
To discuss the implications of outlining plaque biology in patients with stable and acute coronary syndromes
To get practical insights from case presentations