Eros Times
Noida:EROS TIMES: Restoring flow in blocked arteries of the heart by deployment of stents, has brought revolutionary changes in the treatment of angina heart attacks without undergoing open heart surgery. However optimal deployment of stents in
complex cases like calcified arteries, bifurcation stenosis and long lesions poses several challenges for the interventional cardiologists in proper selection of stent with regard its diameter and length. Inadequate expansion and apposition of the stent is another major limitation in such cases when assessed by conventional techniques such as angiography. New technologies like OCT (optical coherence tomography) the utility of which was demonstrated by Prof Gambhir at the Kailash Hospital. Noida in three such complex cases undergoing stenting, in a workshop in collaboration with Dr. Giulio Guagliumi from Italy. Prof Gambhir explained that OCT provides high quality detailed 3D images of the inside of the coronary arteries ,which helps to assess the anatomical characteristics of the artery and thereby enables in selecting adequate length of the stent to be deployed .This modality of imaging also provides assessment of the precise apposition of the stent against the vessel wall ,any cracks created at the edges of the stent and nature of the clot ,thus preventing emergencies during the procedure.
Prof. Gambhir informed that 3D images of the interiors of the vessel help to overcome the limitations of angiography, since the images created by OCT are 20x higher in resolution than angiography and 10x higher in resolution than ultrasound based images. this also reduces X-ray radiation and volume of contrast used, both to the patient and the doctor.
in terms of benefits to the patients, OCT help to customize the stenting procedures based upon the need for repeated procedures, emergency stenting and even surgery-all of which translate into cost-effectiveness of this extremely useful technology of stenting assisted by OCT for non surgical treatment of coronary blockages.
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