Non-Invasive imaging methods to treat Heart Blockages

Table of Content

• What is Heart Blockage or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
• Angiograms
• Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)
• Optical Coherence Angiography (OCT)

What is Heart Blockage or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

Heart blockage or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a condition where blood flow to the heart is reduced or completely stopped due to the buildup of deposits (plaque) in the arteries that limit their ability to carry blood. If not diagnosed and treated in time, it can result in shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and in the worst case, a heart attack. An unwanted side effect of modern lifestyles is the increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease. Stress, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, smoking, drug abuse, and excessive alcohol consumption all contribute to the problem. Genetics is another major factor in the development of heart disease.

Angiograms

For over 40 years, the global standard for imaging the heart’s blood vessels has been the coronary angiogram. This procedure involves the injection of a special dye into the heart’s blood vessels. A series of rapid x-rays are then taken to ascertain which vessels are blocked and to what extent. The injected dyes make it possible to get a clear image. However, recent studies show that the procedure is not a foolproof one and that the pictures may not always be accurate. This means that the heart doctors and cardiovascular surgeons involved  in treating patients with coronary conditions may not have a precise picture of the nature and extent of the problem. This could, in some cases, lead to both misdiagnoses and even providing the wrong treatment. In a matter as serious as heart disease, even the remote possibility of such mistakes is unacceptable.

For this reason, cardiologists are now moving towards the use of more accurate imaging tools and methods to diagnose heart blockages and related conditions.

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)

Intravascular Ultrasound uses sound to produce images of the interior of blood vessels. The procedure is different from the conventional ultrasound that people are familiar with. In the conventional method, a transducer is placed on the outside of the body to measure the reflected sound waves and convert the data into images. In the case of IVUS, a tiny ultrasound wand is fixed to the end of a thin tube. The tube (or catheter) is inserted into an artery (usually in the groin area) and slowly moved up the heart. The sound waves from the wand reflect off the interior of the blood vessel and are converted into an image of the artery interior.

Optical Coherence Angiography (OCT)

Optical Coherence Angiography is an imaging procedure that uses infrared light to produce high-definition images of an artery. These high-precision images enable cardiologists to see the lesions and plaque buildup in the artery and how it affects blood flow.

Once an artery blockage condition is suspected, heart doctors at Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, will conduct comprehensive tests for an accurate diagnosis. It is only after the detailed analysis of these results that our professionals will determine an effective course of treatment. Our advanced procedures offer precise imaging of the blockages, enabling our cardiologists to gain a clear understanding of the condition and prescribe optimal treatment options.