Ultrasonography is a widely used diagnostic aid in the field of medicine as it helps to diagnose health conditions without use of ionizing radiation. Ultrasonography utilizes sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Intravascular ultrasound is a specialized diagnostic procedure which uses ultrasonic waves to study the inside of a blood vessel and primarily the coronary arteries. The procedure slightly resembles an angiography procedure in its technique but uses a specialized equipment which has a transducer probe at the end of the catheter (tube) inserted in the blood vessel.
When is an intravascular ultrasound advised ?
An Intravascular Ultrasound is advised in individuals who have to undergo an angioplasty procedure, this procedure helps in determining the site of the stent placement and also the amount of blockage in the coronary artery. It can also be used in patients to monitor the life of their stent and to evaluate recurrence of plaque accumulation in the arteries.
The surgeons also use it for deciding the size, shape and type of stent which will be suitable for a patient.
Some of these procedures are also used to evaluate the progression and prognosis of a coronary artery disease.
Who performs an intravascular ultrasound ?
Intravascular Ultrasound is performed by an interventional radiologist or a cardiologist in a cath lab in a hospital or healthcare setup.
How do you prepare for an intravascular ultrasound ?
Your treating doctor or your cardiologist will advise and evaluate you for an Intravascular Ultrasound. After a detailed clinical and physical examination, your treating doctor/ cardiologist will ask you for your medical history, history of any medical procedure and medication history. Your medications will be reviewed before posting you for an Intravascular Ultrasound. You will be asked o get admitted in the hospital a night before the procedure. You will be explained the details of the procedure well in advance. You will be asked to wear a hospital gown and will be taken to cath lab.
What happens during an intravascular ultrasound ?
You will be asked to lie down on the examination table. An intravenous line will be started to give medications and fluids during the procedure. A local anesthetic solution is used to numb your groin area from where the catheter is inserted. A small incision is made on the upper thigh-groin area from where the equipment for Intravascular Ultrasound, a catheter with a transducer at the tip is used. Once the catheter is inserted it is advanced up to the coronary artery of the heart or the blood vessel which is to be imaged. The transducer sends sound signals which echo back on the same and are picked up a computer which converts them into high quality images. Once the blood vessels are studied and imaged the catheter is removed from the blood vessel. A pressure pack or a sand bag is kept on the groin area to control the bleeding.
Your recovery will be monitored for a few hours to a day before you are discharged from the hospital to prevent any complications.
What are the risks and complications of an intravascular ultrasound ?
Intravascular ultrasound is an invasive procedure hence the risks and complications associated could range from irregular heartbeat, blood clotting, puncturing of a blood vessel, and rarely a stroke and heart attack. Intravascular ultrasound is an invasive procedure which is primarily done to assess the need for an angioplasty, degree of stenosis in an artery, to guide appropriate stent placement and to determine the life of a stent which is implanted in an artery. Since, it is an invasive procedure it is advised that you ask your doctor or your cardiologist about the risks, benefits and outcomes of a procedure before deciding to go ahead with the same.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider
