Coronary artery ulceration
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Coronary artery ulceration is assessed visually using a well defined grading system. Grade 0 corresponds to no angiographic evidence of ulceration, grade 1 ulceration is present when the lesion contains a neck with contrast material dissecting under the plaque either proximally or distally, and grade 2 ulceration is present when there is distinct extravascular extravasation of contrast material with the appearance of a mushroom.
Angiography Examples
Grade 1 Ulcerated Lesion
Shown below are an animated image and a static image depicting grade 1 ulcerated coronary lesion. Note the presence of a "neck" within the lesion.
Grade 2 Ulcerated Lesion
Shown below are an animated image and a static image depicting grade 2 ulcerated lesion. Encircled in yellow in the image on the right is the ulcerated lesion which has a "mushroom" appearance.