Intracoronary Imaging: Reality or Religion?

The Blue Collar ICs crew takes on one of the hottest debates in cardiology: should every PCI be guided by intracoronary imaging?From IVUS and OCT to AI-assisted decision making, the team discusses where imaging helps, where it doesn't, and whether operator experience still matters most.This episode opens with reflections from NCVH in New Orleans, where the team discusses the conference's impact, live case demonstrations, and the relationships that continue to shape interventional cardiology. Guest Dr. Aaron Gopal joins the conversation, sharing how training under Dr. Craig Walker and working alongside Dr. Brian Brown influenced his approach to patient care.The discussion then shifts into a deep dive on intracoronary imaging, specifically IVUS and OCT. The panel examines how different generations of operators were trained, how imaging has evolved over time, and whether routine use truly leads to better outcomes. The debate highlights the tension between evidence-based medicine, operator experience, and industry influence.The conversation expands into AI-assisted imaging, coronary physiology, pressure-wire assessment, and the future of PCI. The group explores whether modern technology is improving clinical decision-making or creating dependence that could weaken future physician training. As always, the discussion remains candid, practical, and grounded in real-world experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.