Periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) has an independent adverse prognostic relevance. Several trials have documented a reduction in the occurrence of periprocedural MI through various pharmacological strategies, with enhanced inhibition of platelet aggregation or high dose statins. However, real-world registries still document an incidence of periprocedural MI in 30-40% of patients. Currently available intravascular imaging techniques, Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and more recently available Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) allow a precise evaluation of the coronary plaque and can be extremely useful for monitoring plaque modifications obtained with thrombus aspiration (TA). Plaque burden will be assessed as plaque + media (P+M), commonly measured with IVUS by subtracting lumen (L) to external elastic membrane (EEM) cross sectional area (P+M= EEM-L).