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Figure 2 Two Cases of Sudden Coronary Death

(A) Proximal section shows severe narrowing of the lumen with a relatively large necrotic core area (NC) in the absence of plaque rupture, whereas the distal nonstenotic section (B) reveals the rupture site (C) with a much smaller NC and an occlusive thrombus (Thr). It is therefore possible that intravascular ultrasound would not be able to detect the distal site of rupture, because the NC is small. (D and E) Section of left anterior descending coronary artery at the site of severest luminal narrowing with a nonocclusive Thr. Note large NC with overlying ruptured thin fibrous cap (box area) and a higher magnification in panel E. Intravascular ultrasound would easily detect the large NC.