Aster Hospitals, Bangalore offers premium cardiac diagnostic tests like the Intravascular ultrasound. Special cardiologists and interventional radiologists of the cardiac department of Aster CMI, carry out this test in order to work in conjunction to provide the most ideal diagnosis and treatment plan. The IVUS is a cardiac diagnosis test that utilises sound waves to evaluate the coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart and to assess stenosis.
Apart from the coronary arteries, this test can also be used to evaluate other blood vessels. Some other names of this procedure are:
- Endovascular ultrasound
- Intravascular echocardiography
- Coronary intravascular ultrasound
IVUS is a procedure that is used to understand the degree of stenosis (narrowing) of an artery by providing visual images of the lumen (inside of the blood vessel) and the cholesterol that is loaded with white blood cells (atheroma) within the artery wall.
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
What type of procedure is IVUS?
IVUS is an invasive procedure used in interventional cardiology.
How long does the IVUS procedure last?
The procedure can last from less than half an hour to several hours, depending on the performance of the angioplasty and stenting requirement.
Does the IVUS procedure need any special preparation?
No special preparation is required unless the cardiologist uses IVUS during another procedure. In that case, the patient may have to stop drinking and eating by midnight on the procedure day.
When was the IVUS imaging device first introduced?
The IVUS imaging device was first introduced by Yock et al. in 1980.
Why must jewelry and other metal objects be removed before IVUS?
These objects may interfere with the X-ray images.
What is the difference between angiography and IVUS?
Angiography is a procedure used to look at coronary arteries, and IVUS is a procedure that shows artery walls and reveals fatty plaque depositions in them.
Why is the patient asked to lie flat on the back after the IVUS procedure?
The patient is told to lie flat on the back with the application of pressure and bandage to the catheter site to prevent bleeding.
Which healthcare provider performs the IVUS procedure?
An interventional cardiologist or vascular surgeon will perform the IVUS procedure.
Are there any contraindications for the IVUS procedure?
Vessel tortuosity and angulation that would preclude the delivery of the catheter to the area of interest are the relative contraindications to IVUS.
Which medications should be stopped before undergoing IVUS?
The patient must inform the care team about any medication for ailments, including over-the- counter medicines and supplements. Some patients may have to stop certain medications briefly before undergoing IVUS.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
IVUS is a three-dimensional image technique that has the advantage of giving more information on the coronary artery walls and anatomy. The image shows the lumen volume, lesion size, vessel dimensions, thrombus, and artery remodeling.
This test can give the atherosclerotic (fatty plaque) composition, such as the extent of calcification, and guide invasive strategies. This technique can help in the guidance of placing the stent and provide information on the expansion of the stent. The information on the stent can help healthcare providers to understand how stent restenosis (stent clogging) occurs.
Types of IVUS
There are two types of IVUS in use, both with their setbacks and advantages:
1. Mechanical system: This system uses a flexible high torque catheter mounted with a single rotating ultrasound transducer. The visuals of the vessel received by the ultrasound are in cross-section.
This system's advantage is its simplicity of design, which has an excellent output signal and image quality.
The catheter is less flexible and difficult to use in tortuous blood vessels.
2. Technical system: This system uses tiny crystals to transmit and receive signals simultaneously, which are then processed into real-time imaging.
The doctor can order an IVUS to be performed if they suspect the patient has atherosclerosis, blood clot, peripheral artery disease, aortic dissection, heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
IVUS will help healthcare providers assess potential blockages and know the severity of atherosclerosis, determine if coronary artery bypass surgery is needed, and even plan if stenting is required.
Benefits and risks of IVUS test
Benefits:
- Not using radiation during the test makes the test safe with no side effects.
- Images obtained from the test are more precise than the X-rays.
- The deposition of fatty plaques can be seen more than in coronary angiography.
- High degree of accuracy.
- Quick recovery.
Risks:
The test is a low-risk procedure but may have a few risks:
- Heart attack
- Arrhythmia
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Infection at the site of incision
- Blood vessel damage during the test
Results of the IVUS
Atheromatous disease within the wall of the arteries, connecting tissues and blood vessels' inner lining can return the echoes, making them visible on the monitor (echogenic).
Healthy muscular tissues and blood cannot return echoes, making them just a black space on the monitor (echolucent). Heavy calcium deposits appear very echogenic, reflecting sound waves and creating distinct shadowing. Heavy calcifications show up as bright images with shadowing behind them.
A visit to the cardiologist is advised for the patients to discuss their test results and plan the recommended treatment.
