What is intravascular ultrasound?
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a cardiovascular medical imaging test. The test is most commonly performed to investigate coronary arteries. Coronary or Heart, arteries are blood vessels that give blood to the heart. This type of test is useful in the detection of diseases such as coronary arteries, because of a detailed view of the inside of the arterial wall. In particular, this medical ultrasound can not only indicate the presence of coronary disease, but can also show the amount of damage caused.
The physician may ask for a person to undergo intravascular ultrasound for various reasons. Individuals with a known case of coronary arteries can have ultrasound to estimate the disease progression. The test can also be used as a guide to the upcoming heart procedure. For example, this test can be used to find out where a coronary stent should be placed. In addition, it can be performed as part of angioplasty.
When the patient arrives at testing centers for INTravascular ultrasound changes for the tire of the hospital for the test. Most patients receive some type of sedative to help them relax to progress. During the test, an intravenous medicine line can also be inserted. Electrodes can be placed on the skin of the patient that are generally connected to the electrocardiogram (ECG) machines. During the test, the machine will be used to monitor the activity in the heart.
This cardiovascular test combines cardiac catheterization and echocardiogram. During intravascular ultrasound, doctors put the catheter into a large artery, most often into the weakness. The catheter will be equipped with a small ultrasonic tip. Doctors will slowly destroy a catheter containing ultrasound into coronary arteries for examination. The echocardiogram can be used to capture cross -sectional moving images of the atepna heart for analysis.
Doctors usually inform patients about the preparations to perform before the test. In manyPatients may be asked to stop taking certain medicines such as blood thinners, before intravascular ultrasound. In addition, it will be necessary to inform doctors if the patient has experienced some adverse reactions on certain medicines in the past. After the procedure, the patient will be asked to lie for a few more hours to prevent bleeding. Patients may be able to return home after a few hours after the test, although some may have to stay overnight.
intravascular ultrasound is considered generally safe procedures. However, complications such as bleeding may occur. Although it is not very ordinary, the entrance point of the catheter can bleed too much after the test. It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to the drug taken during ultrasound. If the patient triggers strongly bleeds or has an allergic reaction, he should go to the emergency room for evaluation.