Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre recently acquired and installed a state-of-the-art Intra Vascular Ultrasound Imaging System (IVUS) from USA. This top-of-the-line equipment is only available at Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, in Mumbai. This system will assist users in performing complex angioplasties in the Cardiology Lab.

Dr Narendra Trivedi, chief operating officer, said, "Lilavati Hospital has always striven to provide the best in health care to patients and we are extremely excited on adding this state-of-the-art imaging system to our repertoire. IVUS Imaging System will greatly assist users in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab to provide better accuracy in the treatment of narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart (angioplasty). For the very first time, users will now be able to visualize the internal structure and cross sectional view of any major artery of the heart that was earlier not possible. For the first time, users can now also learn about the composition of fatty deposits / calcium / cholesterol / plaque etc. that cause blockages and reduces blood flow into arteries."

"In addition to the heart, the Intra-Vascular Ultrasound Imaging System can also be used for visualization of various other major arteries in the body," added Dr Trivedi.

The IVUS will provide better diagnosis, study and treatment to patients. This system will provide various benefits to users during treatment of complex angioplasties, such as detailed visualization of the internals of the artery, the characteristics of the wall of the artery and also details of material causing the blockage.

The system will allow users to retrieve very useful information on possible tears, damage or dissections in the wall of the artery. It will provide accurate information on the thickness of the artery, the internal diameter, the reduced diameter due to the blockage, cross section area, the exact length of the critical region, and enable users to take important decisions in evaluating the correct action to be taken during complex cases.

With detailed visualization information and analysis, users will also be better equipped on deployment of intra-coronary-artery-stents and will be able to study and assess previously deployed stents. This state-or-art imaging system with all its benefits will help ensure reduced angioplasty failures in the Cath-Lab.