INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND

Vascular anatomy can be more accurately assessed from an endoluminal p osition applying the principles of conventional ultrasound. It may eff ectively batter select patients for endovascular procedures and comple ment the information gained from CT, MRA, transcutaneous ultrasound, a nd contrast angiography Three-dimensional and longitudinal grey-scale reconstruction of tomographic NUS images are made available through co mputer software programs. Information gained includes: plaque characte rization and morphology, a cross-sectional evaluation of stenoses, ass essment of the impact/effect of balloon angioplasty, evaluation of ves sel dissections and the ability to selectively place intravascular ste nts.