intravascular ultrasound
Pronunciation: EYE-vus
Also written as: IVUS — Intravascular Ultrasound
An imaging technique using ultrasound from within coronary arteries to assess vessel characteristics and guide intervention.
Full Definition
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is an invasive imaging modality that uses a miniaturized ultrasound probe on a catheter to provide detailed cross-sectional images of coronary arteries from within the vessel lumen. IVUS allows precise measurement of vessel dimensions, plaque characteristics, and stent deployment quality. The technique provides superior resolution compared to angiography for assessing vessel wall pathology and optimizing interventional procedures. IVUS guidance has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in complex PCI cases.
Usage
Usage note: Acronym IVUS is pronounced as a word, not spelled out letter by letter.
In Context
- "Intravascular ultrasound revealed significant plaque burden despite minimal angiographic stenosis." — Catheterization report
- "The operator used intravascular ultrasound guidance to optimize stent expansion and apposition." — Procedural note