Intravascular imaging enables doctors to assess and capture images from inside the coronary artery

Madras Medical Mission (MMM) will soon launch a centre of excellence in imaging, physiology and structural intervention.

There are only three-four such centres in the Asia-Pacific region, including in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Mullasari Ajit S., director of cardiology, MMM, said the centre will conduct training and promote peer-to-peer learning by conducting expert group meetings, continuing medical education and demonstrations for physicians.

“We have installed a 3D OCT Ilumien Optis equipment. This technology helps in looking inside an artery in 3D mode and provides better images. We are also setting up a core lab for coronary and structural intervention in angiography and imaging for research purposes,” said Dr. Ajit on Friday.

On Saturday, a two-day symposium on advanced cardiovascular therapeutics was launched. The focus is on intravascular imaging and physiology and transcatheter congenital and structural cardiac interventions. A similar symposium will be held on July 26-27, with participation of national and international faculty.

S. Vijayakumar, senior consultant of cardiology, said angiography determines the decision to perform angioplasty but can underestimate or overestimate the narrowing of a blood vessel. It has limited ability to assess severity of coronary artery disease, and is also poor in predicting the size of the stent.

Intravascular imaging enables doctors to assess and capture images from inside the coronary artery to understand the severity of the block, decide on optimal treatment options and examine the outcomes of interventional procedures.

R. Sivakumar, head of paediatric cardiology, said advanced imaging gives a picture similar to direct surgical visualisation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – July 20th, 2014