The composition and morphology of the atherosclerotic lesion are considered to be important determinants of acute coronary ischemic syndromes. We investigated the potentials of a combination of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) elastography and intravascular Near Infrared Raman (NIR) spectroscopy, to assess the physical and chemical composition of the vessel wall and plaque. Intact human coronary arteries were mounted in an in vitro pressurized perfusion setup and investigated with a 20 MHz VisionsR IVUS catheter. At selected cross- sections, two echo-frames were acquired at intraluminal pressures of 80 and 100 mmHg to strain the tissue in order to obtain elastograms. Next, Raman spectra were obtained during 30 seconds at 4 angles (0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees) using a sideways viewing probe. Spectra were modeled to obtain quantitative chemical information, while leaving the specimens intact. Calcified areas were identifiable on the echograms, elastograms and Raman spectra. A combination of geometric information provided by the echogram, chemical information as obtained with Raman spectroscopy, and high stress regions determined by the elastogram, may prove to be a valuable tool to identify plaque vulnerability.