Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or ultrasonography

What is Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or ultrasonography?

Intravascular ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that involves the use of sound waves to create images of the blood vessels of the heart to visualize any clots or plaques (accumulation of fat, blood cells, etc.) & also to understand the status of an existing stent if it’s being blocked. Therefore, this method acts as a diagnostic tool for many heart conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, etc., & guides healthcare professionals to treat these life-threatening conditions. Unlike angiographs, which use features to provide detailed information about the plaques, IVUS can directly display intravascular structure and evaluate the composition of the plaque.

Yashoda Hospitals is one of the leading Centers of Excellence for Heart Care in India, with over three decades of healthcare experience. Our Heart Institute includes leading cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac radiologists, and interventional cardiologists trained in advanced technologies and with extensive experience in performing complex procedures.

The institute features an advanced cath lab, ICUs, and IVUS diagnostic tools, which complement the expertise of our cardiologists to deliver optimal patient care in advanced and complex surgeries and procedures.

Who needs an Intravascular ultrasound?

• A heart patient needs IVUS to observe blood vessels closely and check for clots to detect coronary artery diseases.
• An individual with suspected peripheral vascular disease, where the blood flow to the legs is interrupted due to these clots.
• An individual who is about to undergo angioplasty needs an IVUS to obtain detailed information about the vessel walls or fat deposits and to determine the appropriate stent placement.
• Individuals who have undergone angiography but details about the plaques or walls of the blood vessels are still unclear.

How is an intravascular ultrasound done?

During the IVUS procedure, a small incision is made in the groin or wrist to access the blood vessel, & a plastic tube called a sheath is placed to insert a catheter to reach the heart, during which an ultrasound probe is connected to the catheter that sends sound waves to create the ultrasound images.

IVUS’s quick, real-time visualization features aid in identifying any heart narrowing or blockages and offer recommendations for stent treatment regimens. Additionally, it serves as a diagnostic tool to improve treatment outcomes and lower the risk of heart attacks through its real-time visualization of high-quality blood vessel images.

Benefits of IVUS:

• An efficient navigation method for a stenting treatment plan.
• Better and more detailed, with high-quality images of blood vessels.
• A better alternative to angiography.
• Reduced complications such as restenosis (a blockage reoccurrence) & reduces the possibility of improper stent placements.
• Ensures high safety with no radiation exposure, unlike other scans.

Explore our IVUS services to have a healthy heart.

Minimize your risk of heart attacks through our advanced diagnostic technique, IVUS.