A study published in The Lancet found that near-infrared spectroscopy intravascular ultrasound imaging detects lipid-rich plaques, which can lead to myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndromes. Using data from 1,563 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, researchers found that NIRS intravascular ultrasound imaging can detect nonculprit major adverse cardiovascular events among patients undergoing possible percutaneous coronary intervention and cardiac catheterization.