Ambrose criteria for angiographic morphology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Ambrose et al undertook a study where they categorized the lumninal obstruction seen on angiography

• each obstruction reducing the luminal diameter of the vessel by 50% or greater was categorized into one of the following morphologic groups:
  • concentric (symmetric narrowing)
  • type I eccentric (asymmetric narrowing with smooth borders and a broad neck)
  • type II eccentric (asymmetric with a narrow neck or irregular borders, or both)
  • multiple irregularities

For the entire group

• type II eccentric lesions were significantly more frequent in patients with unstable angina (p less than 0.001)
• type I eccentric lesions were seen more frequently in patients with stable angina (p less than 0.05)

Reference:

• Ambrose JA et al. Angiographic morphology and the pathogenesis of unstable angina pectoris.J Am Coll Cardiol. 1985 Mar;5(3):609-16.