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IVUS Data

IVUS Guidance Elevates Coronary Outcomes

The Importance of IVUS-Guided PCI

Mounting clinical evidence

Clinical evidence supports the benefits of using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) throughout the PCI process, generating data and insights to improve both strategic approach and patient outcomes.


Evidence: IVUS and more favorable patient outcomes 

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) collectively demonstrate the benefit of IVI (intravascular imaging, IVUS or OCT). In a network meta-analysis of 20 IVI randomized clinical trials, 16 of which included IVUS, IVI is associated with improved patient outcomes.1

20 IVI RCTs
12,428 patients with follow-up ranging from 6-60 months
31% reduced TLF with IVI-guided PCI vs. angiography alone

In recent study results specific to IVUS, utilization of IVUS-guided PCI vs angiography-guided PCI alone leads to a statistically significant difference in major adverse cardiac events. Subcategories, including complex PCI, long coronary lesions, and acute coronary syndrome, demonstrated similar benefit. 2-5

IVUS-XPL TVF2 (n=1400)

Long lesions (>28mm)

IVUS-XPL TVF (n=1400)

ULTIMATE TVF3 (n=1448)

All-comers

ULTIMATE TVF (n=1448)

RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI TVF4 (n=1639)

Complex lesions

RENOVATE-COMPLEX-PCI TVF (n=1639)

IVUS-ACS TVF5 (n=3505)

Acute coronary syndrome

IVUS-ACS TVF

Evidence: IVUS and PCI optimization 

Using the three criteria below to assess PCI optimization, investigators identified the importance of adapting PCI strategy based on insights revealed through analysis of IVUS imaging.

  1. MSA > 5.0 mm2 or > 90% MLA at distal reference point
  2. Plaque burden < 50% at stent edge
  3. No dissection > 3 mm
StudyFollow-upCumulative Incidence of TVF (%)
Angiography-guided PCISub-optimal IVUS-guided PCIOptimal IVUS-guided PCI
IVUS-XPL61 year5.84.61.5
ULTIMATE71 year5.44.41.6
RENOVATE- COMPLEX-PCI42.1 years12.38.96.0
IVUS-ACS51 year7.37.13.2

Evidence: IVUS and higher long-term survival rates

Dr. Amit Amin and Dr. Laith Derbas shared late-breaking data at CRT 2024 highlighting the long-term benefits of IVUS use with PCI.8

  • The meta-analysis examined a very large PCI data set from the Premier database — encompassing over 2.3 million patient procedures across 700+ sites over a ten-year period.
  • Results revealed that PCI procedures incorporating IVUS were associated with reduced mortality at both 1-year and ten-year intervals.
  • The unprecedented scale of this study complements existing RCTs, further demonstrating the benefits of IVUS use and establishing an association with positive long-term outcomes.

For additional details and discussion of the findings, watch the video below.

Rafael Cavalcante, vice president Boston Scientific, Interventional Cardiology, Medical & Scientific Affairs speaks with Dr. Amit Amin on research he presented at CRT 2024, “IVUS Use and Long-Term PCI Outcomes in the US: Longest-term IVUS study with 10-year mortality data from the Premier Database​.”

IVUS use was associated with lower rates of 1-year (p=0.002) and 10-years (p <0.0001) mortality.

Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at one year
Kaplan-Meier survival estimates at ten years

ESC and ACC on imaging for PCI

American College of Cardiology logo

Join the Modern PCI movement

Clinical data consistently shows the benefits of using IVUS with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).1-8 IVI helps clinicians refine treatment strategy, guide vessel preparation and stent placement or other treatment, and assess procedural results, leading to improved patient outcomes. Though still underutilized, IVUS adoption and momentum continue to grow.

IVUS technology enhancements, including AI-enabled lesion assessment, make PCI optimization achievable, efficient, and, increasingly, a standard of care for Modern PCI. See why current IVUS users choose IVUS to improve their effectiveness and deliver exceptional results for PCI patients.


Getting started with IVUS

Learn how to incorporate IVUS insights in all phases of treatment with process guidance, training, and workflow efficiencies. Find the right tools and right support to help you do what’s right for your patients.


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1. Stone GW, Christiansen EH, Ali ZA, et al. Intravascular imaging-guided coronary drug-eluting stent implantation: an updated network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2024;403(10429):824-837. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02454-6

2. Hong S, Mintz G, Ahn C, et al. Effect of Intravascular Ultrasound–Guided Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation. J Am Coll Cardiol Intv. 2020 Jan, 13 (1) 62–71. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2019.09.033

3. Gao X, Ge Z, Kong X, et al. 3-Year Outcomes of the ULTIMATE Trial Comparing Intravascular Ultrasound Versus Angiography-Guided Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation. J Am Coll Cardiol Intv. 2021 Feb, 14 (3) 247–257. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2020.10.001

4. Lee, JM, Choi, KH, Lee, JY, et. Al. Intravascular Imaging-Guided or Angiography-Guided Complex PCI. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:1668-1679. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2216607

5. Li X, Ge Z, Kan J, et al. Intravascular ultrasound-guided versus angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in acute coronary syndromes (IVUS-ACS): a two-stage, multicentre, randomised trial. Lancet. 2024;403(10439):1855-1865. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00282-4

6. Sung-Jin Hong, MD; Byeong-Keuk Kim, MD; Dong-Ho Shin, MD, MPH; et al. Effect of Intravascular Ultrasound–Guided vs Angiography-Guided Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation The IVUS-XPL Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2015;314(20):2155-2163. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.15454

7. Zhang J, Gao X, Kan J, et al. Intravascular Ultrasound Versus Angiography-Guided Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: The ULTIMATE Trial. J Am Coll Cardiol Intv. 2018;72(24):3126-3137. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.013

8. Amin, Amit. IVUS use and long-term PCI outcomes in the United States: Insights from the Premier Database. Presented at: CRT 2024. March 9, 2024. Washington, DC, USA.