Atherosclerosis is a degenerative arterial disease that leads to the gradual blockage of vessels due to plaque formation or acute ischaemic events such as plaque rupture. A thorough understanding of plaque morphology is necessary in the determination of factors underlying coronary artery disease. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) represents a diagnostic technique that provides tomographic visualization of coronary arteries. Ultrasound reflects sound at the interfaces between media of different acoustic refractive indices theoretically implying that various components within an ultrasound image should be distinguishable. The aim of this study is to classify plaque lesions using advanced digital image processing into the following categories: adventitia, media, fibrous, necrotic core, and calcified. Examination of plaque composition can yield valuable information necessary in determining the appropriate preventative and mechanical interventions.

Diseased samples were obtained from excised human coronary arteries at autopsy. Intravascular ultrasound images were acquired using an HP SONOS clinical IVUS imaging system and 3.5 French 30 MHz catheters.