Applications and Future Perspectives of Intravascular Ultrasound in Endovascular Treatment of Lower Extremity Arteries

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a high-resolution imaging modality that plays a critical role in the endovascular treatment of lower extremity arterial disease. This review summarizes the principles, device types, and technical characteristics of IVUS, with a focus on its applications in lesion assessment, guidewire navigation, real-time monitoring, and follow-up. Research has demonstrated that IVUS significantly enhances treatment success rates by providing detailed imaging of vascular structures and aiding precise intervention planning. However, its widespread adoption is limited by operational complexity and high costs. Emerging technologies, including all-optical IVUS, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, promise to address these challenges and expand IVUS applications. These advancements are expected to further improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes, highlighting the promising future of IVUS in managing lower extremity arterial disease.