THE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) TECHNIQUE IN CARDIAC INTERVENTIONS: UNVEILING OPTIMAL TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.

The Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technique has emerged as a vital tool in cardiac interventions, especially in stent placement, coronary revascularisation, assessing deployed stents, and treating narrowed coronary arteries. With its superior resolution and ability to display detailed layers of arterial tissue, OCT provides precise information, aiding physicians in making optimised treatment decisions for improved patient outcomes.

Despite OCT being available for approximately 20 years, it has only become more widespread in Vietnam in recent years. Advancements in technology have notably enhanced OCT resolution, allowing detailed visualisation of plaque components like calcium, fibrous tissue, lipid, thrombus, and the thickness of thin or thick fibrous caps. This aids in optimising interventions, particularly in cases where patients have previously undergone stent placement and experienced re-narrowing of coronary arteries, or to assess the optimal outcome of recently placed stents.

Previously, coronary artery imaging was done through digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). However, drawbacks included image overlap and low resolution, limiting the evaluation of lesions. Operators might need to manipulate the catheter at multiple angles to obtain necessary images, leading to increased X-ray exposure. OCT has addressed these limitations, providing clearer and more detailed images, aiding in diagnosing 30% of missed diagnoses of narrowed coronary arteries.

In nearly two months of application, FV’s Cardiology Department has employed OCT in over 15 coronary interventions cases, consistently yielding positive outcomes. OCT aids doctors in accurately diagnosing the cause of coronary narrowing, deciding the intervention method, determining stent size, checking stent positioning, assessing stent apposition to the vessel wall, and more. The duration of cardiac interventions using OCT ranges from 30 to 60 minutes per case, with marginal cost differences compared to IVUS. This not only results in economic benefits but also upholds the effectiveness of this technique. FV Hospital’s Cardiology Department currently utilises one of the world’s most advanced OCT systems, ensuring high-resolution images with minimal patient impact compared to other models.

With advancements in medical imaging technology, OCT promises further development, becoming a crucial tool in cardiac interventions. OCT facilitates a better understanding and effective treatment of coronary artery diseases, enhancing the efficiency of interventions and improving patients’ quality of life.

To book an appointment with the Cardiology Department at FV Hospital, please call (028) 54 11 33 33, ext. 1165, 1216.