Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
plaque burden
Pronunciation: plak BUR-den
Total amount of atherosclerotic plaque present in coronary arteries, typically measured using intravascular imaging techniques.
Full Definition
Plaque burden refers to the overall quantity of atherosclerotic material within the coronary arteries, expressed as a percentage of the vessel wall area occupied by plaque. This measurement is typically obtained through intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during cardiac catheterization. High plaque burden is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and may influence treatment strategies. The assessment helps clinicians understand the extent of coronary atherosclerosis beyond what is visible on standard angiography.
In Context
- "Intravascular ultrasound revealed a high plaque burden of 75% in the proximal left anterior descending artery." — Interventional cardiology imaging report
- "Despite minimal angiographic stenosis, the plaque burden assessment guided the decision for medical therapy optimization." — Clinical management decision
Also known as
atherosclerotic burden
coronary plaque load
Don't confuse with
plaque volume
stenosis severity