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Anterior heart arteries	Coronary artery blockage	Cardiac catheterization

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.

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:

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

Risks of cardiac catheterization may include:

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

Review Date: 12/2/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Emile Riggs Mohler III, MD, Vascular Medicine, Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.