IVUS or Intra Vascular UltraSound is an advanced imaging modality that enables us to study the inside of a blood vessel while doing angiography. It uses a specially designed catheter with a miniaturized ultrasound probe attached to the distal end of the catheter.
How intravascular ultrasound helps…..
This modality when used together with angiography helps to assess blockage of the arterial or venous system and the results of doing angioplasty or atherectomy by identifying residual blockage. It is also helpful for accurately determining the size and length of stents required if any for deployment post angioplasty as it can better image complex plaques which may not show up properly on angiography.
Using IVUS additionally cuts down exposure to radiation and contrast use during the angiographic procedure.
