Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Coronary artery ulceration
Introduction
Overview
Overview
An ulcerated lesion is defined as a cavity in the vessel wall with disruption of the intima and flow observed within the plaque cavity. 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.
Examples
Examples
Grade 0
Grade 0: No angiographic evidence of ulceration
Shown below are an animated image and a static image depicting a normal RCA with no evidence of ulceration.
Grade 1
Grade 1: The lesion contains a neck with contrast material dissecting under the plaque either proximally or distally.
Grade 2
Grade 2: Distinct extravascular extravasation of contrast material with the appearance of a mushroom
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.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]