Cardiovascular imaging breakthroughs: From vulnerable plaque characterization to procedural guidance

Cardiovascular imaging represents a cornerstone in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, with recent technological advances revolutionizing both non-invasive and invasive modalities. Traditional methods, such as coronary angiography, are now complemented by high-resolution approaches including intravascular imaging (like IVUS and OCT) and advanced CT techniques (such as CCTA), which allow for detailed non-invasive visualization of vessel wall structures, plaque morphology, and functional significance of lesions. Despite these advances, clinicians and researchers still face critical challenges in the detection and management of vulnerable plaques and in optimizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes, with ongoing debates regarding the best imaging modalities and protocols. Groundbreaking studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of imaging-detected high-risk plaques, yet uncertainty remains about their standardized application in diverse patient populations and clinical scenarios. In addition, data on the impact and potential of CCTA-guided interventions are scarce.This Research Topic aims to explore the latest original research and comprehensive reviews that advance our understanding and clinical use of cardiovascular imaging for the detection of vulnerable plaques and for procedural guidance. The goal is to gather insights into how state-of-the-art imaging—ranging from intravascular modalities such as OCT and IVUS to noninvasive CCTA—can improve risk stratification, therapeutic decision-making, and interventional outcomes, particularly in contexts like heart failure, ischemia, and atherosclerosis. By integrating advances in imaging technology, clinical research, and image-guided interventions, this topic seeks to answer pressing questions about the role of imaging in personalizing cardiovascular care.The scope of this Research Topic is limited to original research and review articles that address innovations in cardiovascular imaging technologies and their applications in clinical practice, notably in vulnerable plaque assessment and PCI guidance. Submissions focusing on case reports are not included in this call. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Comparative effectiveness of CT versus intravascular imaging for plaque detection• Novel imaging biomarkers for high-risk plaque identification• Image-guided strategies for optimizing PCI outcomes• Impact of plaque morphology by non-invasive or invasive modalities on cardiovascular events• Artificial intelligence and computational analysis in coronary artery imaging• Integration of imaging modalities for improved patient stratification• Future perspectives and unmet needs in coronary artery imaging Topic editors: Antonios Karanasos, Grigorios Korosoglou, Christian Tesche Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79533/cardiovascular-imaging-breakthroughs-from-vulnerable-plaque-characterization-to-procedural-guidance