Intra Vascular Ultra Sound Imaging (IVUS), a new technique aimed at giving an external imaging of the coronary arteries, has been introduced in the Cardiology services at Victoria Hospital in Candos. Such technique allows doctors to decide which part of the vessels needs to be dilated, stented or bypassed.
IVUS is a medical imaging methodology which uses a specially designed catheter with a miniaturised ultrasound probe attached to the distal end of the catheter. The proximal end of the catheter is attached to a computerised ultrasound equipment. It allows the application of ultrasound technology to see from inside blood vessels through the surrounding blood column, visualising the inner wall of blood vessels in living individuals. The machine costs about Rs 1.5 million and the cost of the catheter is about Rs 30 000.
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