“Magic eye” helps detect dangerous atherosclerotic plaques early

Tam Duc Heart Hospital (HCMC) has just applied IVUS-NIRS technology, integrating an intravascular ultrasound probe and near-infrared spectrum in the same catheter to break up calcified plaques with shock waves, helping to widen narrowed blood vessels for patients with heavily calcified blood vessels.

This is a special interventional imaging method that provides comprehensive information about atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries that other methods cannot obtain and is one of the modern medical advances in the field of interventional cardiology.

Most recently, a 72-year-old patient was treated with IVUS – NIRS technology, showing optimal treatment results.

This patient had severe stenosis of the circumflex artery and extensive calcification of the blood vessels. IVUS – NIRS images detected high lipid plaques before and after the stenosis, high risk of rupture, and clearly identified calcified lesions at the stenosis site.

Based on the results of the image analysis, the intervention team selected the optimal treatment strategy, using shock waves to break up the calcified plaque, helping to widen the blood vessels. After 2 hours of performing the procedure, the patient was awake, pain-free, and recovered quickly.

Doctors intervene for patients

According to Dr. Dinh Duc Huy, Director of Internal Cardiology, Head of Interventional Cardiology Department, Tam Duc Heart Hospital, IVUS - intravascular ultrasound probe is like a tiny ultrasound machine that goes inside the blood vessels, allowing doctors to directly observe the blood vessel structure and assess the narrowing. NIRS - near-infrared spectrum is like a special flashlight, illuminating to identify dangerous, fragile fat areas, the main factor that can cause coronary artery blockage and myocardial infarction.

“When combined, IVUS - NIRS becomes a “comprehensive tool” that both provides visual images of the vascular lumen and measures the “fatty lipid core index”, helping doctors identify potentially dangerous atherosclerotic plaques that cannot be detected by the naked eye and traditional techniques,” informed Dr. Dinh Duc Huy.

Dr. Dinh Duc Huy said that in addition to the advantage of accurately identifying ruptured atherosclerotic plaques that cause events and stratifying patient risk, this technology also helps identify cases at high risk of future cardiovascular events, thereby having a more active medical treatment strategy. At the same time, the method also supports the accurate selection of stent placement, ensuring complete coverage of lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques, contributing to preventing future events.

THANH SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/mat-than-giup-phat-hien-som-mang-xo-vua-nguy-hiem-post816103.html