Q. What is Intracoronary Imaging?

A. Now, specialised catheters can be introduced inside the coronary arteries, and images can be obtained of coronary vessels in pristine details, hitherto impossible. With this advance, Cardiologists can now deploy stents safely in the artery and ensure that there is no tear in the artery nor any space between the stent and the vessel wall which can cause clots inside the stents. Thus, with the intracoronary Imaging, Angioplasty is made even safer.

Q. What are the types of Intracoronary Imaging Modalities?

A. There are 2 main types of Intracoronary Imaging: Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Q. What are the indications/benefits of Intracoronary Imaging?

A. With Intracoronary Imaging, Cardiologists can now do highly complex angioplasties with unprecedented safety and confidence. IVUS/OCT are especially useful for Left Main Stenting, Stenting in High Bleeding Risk Individuals, High risk and Complex angioplasties, and for patients who have renal failure to minimise dye (IVUS).

In short, IVUS/OCT has made complex angioplasties safe, and routine angioplasties foolproof.