Coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes are a leading cause of mortality. Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) supplies more accurate information about plaque load and composition than coronary angiography. Especially, IVUS is a promising modality in the determination of vulnerable plaque. However, plaque burden and volumetric calculation of coronary atherosclerosis are determined by IVUS. Progression and/or regression of coronary atherosclerosis can be evaluated with these quantitative data. At the same time, the effects of potentially anti-atherosclerotic drugs on the coronary atherosclerosis can be measured with serial volumetric analysis. ©2006, Fırat Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi