Coronary artery ulceration
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
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.
Ulceration
- Grade 0: No angiographic evidence of ulceration
- Grade 1: The lesion contains a neck with contrast material dissecting under the plaque either proximally or distally
- Grade 2: Distinct extravascular extravasation of contrast material with the appearance of a mushroom
Examples
Grade 1
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
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.
