Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is an advanced, minimally invasive imaging technique used to get a detailed, 360° view from inside your blood vessels. Unlike traditional imaging methods like venography, which show only the outline of your veins, IVUS provides a detailed, real-time view of the inside structure of the vein walls. This makes it an invaluable tool for accurately diagnosing conditions such as venous compression (May-Thurner syndrome), deep vein narrowing, or chronic venous insufficiency, and for guiding treatments like stent placement or angioplasty with precision.

Preparation: IVUS is usually performed as part of a diagnostic or treatment procedure, often alongside a venogram or during venous stent placement. It’s done under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. You’ll be awake while the skin near the access site is cleaned and numbed.

Catheter Insertion: A small puncture is made in the skin, and a thin, flexible catheter is inserted into a vein using real-time X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy). The catheter is gently advanced to the area being evaluated.

Placement of the IVUS Probe: Once in position, a tiny ultrasound probe at the tip of the catheter is activated. As it moves through the blood vessel, it uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images from inside the vein.

Real-Time Imaging and Measurement: These live ultrasound images provide precise information about the size, shape, and structure of the vein, as well as the presence of narrowing, scarring, compression, or plaque buildup. IVUS can also measure the exact diameter of the vein — which is critical when planning treatments like stent sizing and placement.

Optional Treatment: If a narrowing or blockage is confirmed, procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement can often be performed immediately, guided by the IVUS images for maximum accuracy.

Completion and Recovery: Once the imaging and any necessary treatment are complete, the catheter is removed and a small bandage is applied. Most patients are discharged the same day. 

Recovery and Results: Recovery from IVUS is typically quick and straightforward, with most patients resuming normal activities within 24 hours. Because IVUS provides far more detail than standard imaging, it often leads to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments, reducing the risk of complications or repeat procedures.