The doctors at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute are leaders in state-of-the-art cardiac care and innovation. We offer the most advanced imaging technologies which include:
Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
This new imaging technology is a lot like an ultrasound, but it uses fast-traveling light waves instead of sound waves to produce detailed pictures of your organs. It helps your doctors evaluate the health of your coronary artery and can clearly show the positioning and state of your coronary stents. OCT can also provide doctors with highly detailed information about the plaque in your arteries.
Fractional flow reserve (FFR)
This technology uses a thin wire to measure the blood pressure and blood flow through particular areas in your coronary artery. The wire helps doctors locate blockages even in the tightest areas in your artery.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of your organs. In IVUS technology, your doctor threads a tiny ultrasound camera into the coronary arteries. This allows doctors to see the inside of blood vessels and arteries. It helps your doctors determine what size stent or balloon you may need. It also helps them make sure your stents are working properly. Some doctors may refer to it as the physiological analysis of lesions.