Manipal Heart Foundation has installed a state-of-the-art imaging equipment-Innova-2000 from GE Medical Systems, the global medical technology major for the treatment of coronary artery disease. The equipment has brought down the cost of treatment significantly from Rs. 8,500-12,500 to Rs. 4,500. Manipal is the first hospital in south India to go in for the totally digital cathlab and it is the sixth installation in the country. There are around 300 users of this equipment worldwide.

Innova-2000 is a technology developed in the US and is distinctive among imaging modalities available for cardiologists to treat coronary heart disease. The ability to produce crystal clear images on this machine will enable the cardiologists to see even the minute details of the coronary artery easily.

Despite the presence of various other imaging technologies like Cartogram which are just CT Scanners and go by calcium deposits in the wall of the arteries, these cannot decide anything about the treatment aspect of coronary artery disease. There is no investigation in the field of cardiology, which can replace coronary angiogram for its accuracy and merits. Innova-2000 being the most advanced requires minimal radio opaque dye to generate high quality images.

The machine, which was unveiled on the occasion of World Heart Day celebrations, has been already put to use. "The equipment is safe for both the patient and the cardiologist with minimum radiation risk," Dr. Subash Chandra, head of cardiology, Manipal Heart Foundation said here in a press conclave.

An advantage of Innova-2000 is that it benefits the patient in terms of cost of treatment. MHF has also announced that the coronary angiogram package is Rs. 4,500, which is the lowest among the corporate hospitals in the State. In the past patients had to spend anywhere between Rs.8, 500 and Rs. 12,500 for the same procedure.

Innova 2000 was tested at cath labs in 1996 and was ready for use in 1999. But the Federal Drug Agency, US did not approve the equipment until 2002 for hospital use. The cost of the machine is Rs. 3.1 crore and the conventional models are available for Rs. 2.5 crore, informed Dr. Chandra.