Health Encyclopedia

Intravascular ultrasound

Definition

Intravascular ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to see inside the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart.

Alternative Names

IVUS; Ultrasound - coronary artery; Endovascular ultrasound

Description

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create moving images of organs and systems within the body. IVUS is a combination of a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) and cardiac cathertization.

A tiny ultrasound wand is attached to the top of a tiny, hollow tube called a catheter. During the IVUS procedure, the ultrasound catheter is inserted into an artery in your groin area and moved up to the heart. This gives the health care provider a look at your arteries from the inside-out.

IVUS is often done during angioplasty. Angioplasty gives a general look at the coronary arteries, but can not show the walls of the arteries. IVUS images highlight the artery walls and can show if there are cholesterol and fat deposits (plaques). Build up of such plaque leads to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

IVUS has provided a great amount of insight into how stents become clogged (stent restenosis). The method has helped show that about 20% of cases of stent restenosis occur when the stent has not expanded properly.

Indications

IVUS may be used to:

View the aorta and structure of the artery walls (which can show plaque build up)
Identify which specific blood vessel is involved in aortic dissection
Determine where a stent should be placed
Discover how well angioplasty and stenting worked

Risks

There is a slight risk of complications associated with angioplasty and cardiac catheterization. However, the tests are very safe when performed by an experienced team. IVUS adds no additional risk.

Risks of angioplasty may include:

Hemorrhage (bleeding) in area where the catheter was inserted
Damage to a blood vessel
Complete blockage of blood flow in a certain area
Heart arrhythmias
Allergic reaction to any dye used during the test
Stroke

Risks of cardiac cathertization may include:

Heart arrhythmias
Cardiac tamponade
Injury to the artery caused by a hematoma
Low blood pressure
Hemorrhage (bleeding)
Stroke
Heart attack
Allergic reaction to any dye used during the test

Expectations after surgery

After the test, the catheter is removed. A bandage is placed on the area. You will usually be asked to lie flat on your back for a few hours after the test to prevent bleeding.

If IVUS was done during cardiac catheterization, you will stay in the hospital for about 3 to 6 hours. If IVUS was done during angioplasty, you will stay in the hospital for 12 to 24 hours.

References

Grainger RG, Allison D, Adam A, Dixon AK. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2001:70.

Sipahi I. Intravascular Ultrasound in the Current Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Era. Cardiol Clin. 2006 May; 24(2); 163-173.

Rowe VL . Advances in vascular imaging. Surg Clin North Am. 01-OCT-2004; 84(5): 1189-202, v.

Review Date:8/15/2006
Reviewed By:Augusto Pichard, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.