Intravascular and Intracoronary Ultrasound

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a specialized technology that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create images of the heart's arteries from the inside out.  The IVUS machine is a miniature transducer that is mounted at the end of a flexible catheter which inserted in the artery over a wire with the aid of x-ray imaging to help physicians visualize where they want to further investigate.   By looking at the inside of the artery, the physician can see if there is plaque build-up.  IVUS is also commonly used during angioplasty and stenting.  With IVUS, the physician can measure the length of the blockage as well as the size of the vessel which; this aids in the choice of stent that is used.  After a stent is placed, IVUS is often used to ensure that the entire blockage is covered.

At Westchester Heart and Vascular, IVUS is also commonly used during routine angiograms that are performed on patients who have had heart transplants to help diagnose cardiac allograft vasculopathy (thickening of the inner lining of the heart arteries).

The IVUS procedure is usually performed at the same time as an angiogram and is done through the same access point.  The procedure is not painful and usually only adds ten to twenty minutes to the total procedure time.