Technology Transforming Cardiac Care for the Better

Technological innovations have created a revolution in the health care sector and changed the way how diseases are viewed and managed across the world. Cardiovascular medicine is undergo- ing radical changes day by day as a result of the vast amount of informa- tion and resources being channeled into the field across the globe. The global health care has been miniatur- ized as a result of these innovations. Since the late 1990s, imaging in car- diovascular field has evolved from routine coronary angiography to computerized tomography [CT scan]. cardiac magnetic resonance (MRI), electron-beam computerized tomog- raphy [EBCT], and advanced echocar diography. Intravascular coronary imaging techniques like IVUS (intra vascular ultrasound) & OCT (optical coherence tomography) has created a revolution in the field of coronary angiography and angioplasty.

New and improved surgical inter- vention techniques are helping save lives and hastening recovery among cardiac patients many of whom may not have survived the pandemic with- out these. Technological advance- ments have made cardiac care far more effective and accessible to a lot more than it was a decade ago. OCT has improved the chances of recovery for patients with intense coronary blockages, points out Dr. Sarita Rao, Consultant Cardiologist, Apollo Hospital Indore.

Apollo launches OCT machine, the first coronary-imaging device of its kind in Indore

What is OCT?

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a type of advanced medical imaging that uses light waves to take near-photographic quality cross-sec- tion pictures of living tissue. With OCT, doctors can obtain images of the blood vessels that are about the same as if they were looking under a micro- scope. The test, which received regu- stents latory approval for cardiac use in India in the last decade, is usually performed as part of an angiogram.

In interventional cardiology, OCT imaging is used to take detailed images of blood vessel walls. These pictures are used to help determine the extent and burden of atherosclerotic plaques (build-up of cholesterol and other material) in a patient's arteries. These plaques can build up and cause chest pain called angina. This detailed understanding can help an interven- tional cardiologists determine wheth- er a stent is needed to treat the block age and where to best place a stent so as to treat the blockage. After a stent has been placed, OCT can also be used to see how well the stent is covering the plaque and make certain it is expanded to the correct size for your vessel.

How Does OCT Work?

Most of us already familiar with ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of internal structures in the body. OCT works similarly to ultra sound but uses infrared light case of OCT for cardiovascular proce- dures, an optical beam is directed at the tissue to be imaged and a small portion of this light that reflects from applications can be as below: sub-surface features is collected. These In-stent Restenosis signals are transmitted to a computer program that converts them to images Thrombosis of the blood vessel wall.

How does OCT benefit patients?

1. OCT provides detailed images of superficial coronary plaque compo- nents. As per the histological analy. sis of autopsy specimens, there are Intervention 3 general plaque types: Fibrous, Fibro-calcific and Lipid Rich. All these plaque types can be accurate- ly identified by OCT. The high reso- lution of OCT identifies plaque characteristics that predispose to rupture, including the thin fibrous caps, large lipid cores, and accumu- lation of macrophages.
2. OCT can provide critical informa- tion to guide coronary interven- tions, in addition to characterizing atherosclerotic plaques
3. OCT can be utilized to measure the reference vessel diameter, minimal luminal diameter, and length of the target lesion
4. OCT can be used to identify stent malapposition, tissue prolapse and both in-stent and edge dissection with higher sensitivity than IVUS.
5. It is of specific benefit in assessing stent apposition with overlapping stents
6. It is utilized as a research tool to study coronary artery pathophysi- ology as well as response to endo- vascular interventions. In addition, it is also used to compare various stent platforms in terms of deploy. ment, endotheliziation and in-stent restenosis

What are the applications of OCT?

The application of OCT in daily clinical practice can help in improv ing the outcomes for the patients and provide an Optimal Percutaneous cor onary Intervention. OCT can help guide physicians on specific clinical situations and can help optimize physician treatment strategies.

Some of the day to day practical applications can we as below:-

1. In stent Restenosis2. Assessment of Calcified Lesions3. Thrombosis4. Stent Deployment and Malapposition5. Stent Deployment and Edge Dissection6. Bifurcation Lesion Assessment and Percutaneous Coronary Interventional

Is OCT Safe?

OCT has been used in the coronary space for more than 20 years now and is widely considered to provide mini mal risk to patients. Complications are rare (occurring in less than 1% of patients), but include arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), hypotension (low blood pressure), or blockage, dis section, or spasm of the artery. The test on its own does not use x-ray technology and therefore does not present radiation risks.

"The addition of OCT to our imag ing devices offers a more comprehen sive array of imaging tools, enabling practitioners to see and treat cardiac pathology earlier and more effectively OCT-guided procedures offer better procedural and in-hospital outcomes, and better long-term survival com pared to standard angiography-guided interventional procedures. Increased adoption of OCT imaging, when com bined with advanced technology like AI, allows cardiologists to have a more precise and measurable way of sup porting patients undergoing coronary stent procedures. It can potentially improve physician and patient experi ence by utilizing a systematic process, reducing variability and increasing accuracy of diagnosis and application of therapies," adds Dr. Sarita.

Are you searching for a Best cardiologist for Heart Disease Treatment then contact Dr. Sarita Rao for more details. She is a Top cardiologist in MP and provides treatment for Heart diseases at her clinic, Hridayam Heart Care Center in Indore. Call now for an appointment at 9893925000 and more information.

Dr. Sarita Rao is a Sr. Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Indore. She is the first female Interventional Cardiologist in Central India. She is Fellow of American College of Cardiology(FACC) and Fellow of European Society of Cardiology(