Intravascular Ultrasound Derived Virtual Histology and Intracoronary Serum Markers of Inflammation
Intravascular Ultrasound Derived Virtual Histology and Intracoronary Serum Markers of Inflammation
Patients enrolled will need treated with an IVUS- VH (intravascular ultrasound-derived
 virtual histology) which is an arterial stent procedure, that involves threading a tiny wire
 into the artery, followed by a balloon, a stent, or other device to treat a blocked artery,
 and often (though not always), a special ultrasound catheter to take pictures of the inside
 of the artery.

 Participants in the study, will have an additional procedure performed: a tiny tube will be
 advanced into the heart artery to collect a blood sample for research purposes, and a blood
 sample will be collected from the femoral (thigh) artery through the tube that will be placed
 there as a standard part of having this procedure.

 The blood that is collected will be analyzed for markers of inflammation or irritation in the
 blood (c-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, Monocyte chemotactic protein-1), as well and a
 gene called Matrix Metallopeptidase 3, which is believe to influence the progression of
 plaque on the walls of arteries and the progression of coronary artery disease. .
Patients that have severe blockage in one of the arteries that provides blood flow to your
 heart will be enrolled into the research study. Most of the procedures in the study standard
 care used by cardiologists when treating blocked arteries. Patients enrolled will need
 treated with an IVUS- VH (intravascular ultrasound-derived virtual histology) which is an
 arterial stent procedure, that involves threading a tiny wire into the artery, followed by a
 balloon, a stent, or other device to treat a blocked artery, and often (though not always), a
 special ultrasound catheter to take pictures of the inside of the artery. We will collect all
 the data from the above stated standard medical care procedure.

 Participants in the study, will have an additional procedure performed: a tiny tube will be
 advanced into the heart artery to collect a blood sample for research purposes, and a blood
 sample will be collected from the femoral (thigh) artery through the tube that will be placed
 there as a standard part of having this procedure.

 The blood that is collected will be analyzed for markers of inflammation or irritation in the
 blood (c-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, Monocyte chemotactic protein-1), as well and a
 gene called Matrix Metallopeptidase 3, which is believe to influence the progression of
 plaque on the walls of arteries and the progression of coronary artery disease. .

 Finally, after discharged from the hospital, the research nurses will call you at home to ask
 you questions about how you are doing for approximately 5-10 minutes. Telephone follow-up
 will occur at one month, six months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 36 months.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  In- or out-patients admitted to IPR or hospital floor for left heart catheterization
 or scheduled angioplasty

 -  18 years or older

 -  Able to provide informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients who are pregnant or lactating

 -  Inability to provide informed consent

 -  Patients undergoing heart catheterization for who open heart surgery is planned

 -  Anticipate being unavailable for telephone follow-up