In modern angioplasty, accuracy matters. Traditional angiography only shows the outline of the blood vessel, but not the plaque inside the artery. To ensure the best long-term success, advanced imaging tools like IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound) and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) are used to visualize the artery from the inside with exceptional detail. These imaging techniques guide the cardiologist during angioplasty to choose the right strategy, optimize stent placement, and ensure perfect results.
IVUS and OCT provide real-time internal vessel imaging to ensure accurate, safe, and durable angioplasty results.
IVUS uses ultrasound imaging from inside the coronary artery to assess plaque burden, vessel size, and blockage severity, while OCT uses near-infrared light to provide microscopic-level clarity of calcium, stent expansion, and vessel injury.
- Accurate assessment of plaque type and severity
- Precise measurement of vessel size and diameter
- Optimization of stent expansion and apposition
- Detection of calcium, thrombus, or dissections
- Essential in complex and high-risk angioplasty
- Improved long-term stent success and safety
What Is IVUS & OCT Guided Angioplasty?
IVUS and OCT are advanced intravascular imaging tools used during coronary angioplasty to guide treatment decisions, ensure accurate stent placement, and confirm optimal final results.
IVUS uses a tiny ultrasound probe inside the coronary artery to produce real-time 360° images showing plaque type, vessel size, blockage severity, and stent expansion.
OCT uses high-resolution near-infrared light to produce microscopic images that are 10 times sharper than IVUS, ideal for detecting calcium structure, stent malapposition, dissections, and thrombus.
These technologies are most useful in left main disease, bifurcation stenting, calcified lesions, chronic total occlusions, stent restenosis, multivessel disease, and ultra-low contrast angioplasty in kidney disease patients.
IVUS and OCT improve planning, precision, and patient outcomes by accurately assessing vessel size and plaque severity, reducing complications, and improving long-term stent success.
Yes. IVUS and OCT are minimally invasive and safe technologies used routinely in advanced cardiac centers worldwide. IVUS requires minimal to no contrast, while OCT requires a contrast flush for imaging.
Precision IVUS & OCT Guided Angioplasty
IVUS and OCT guided angioplasty improves accuracy, reduces complications, lowers the risk of repeat procedures, and provides higher confidence in treating complex or high-risk coronary artery disease.
