Endovascular Interventions Benefit from Advanced Technologies
Cardiologists who perform endovascular interventions have many imaging techniques and devices available to plan and execute treatment, according to Reid et al in the Journal of Endovascular Therapy (2009, Vol. 16 Suppl: I, pp. I-22–I-41).
The researchers noted that IT advances have enabled “fast acquisition and processing of the large amounts of digital data essential to capture the dynamic information from fast-flowing blood at high resolution.” And functional imaging is increasingly playing a larger role in helping to predict vascular disease stability or the need for intervention.
The ability to use 3D imaging techniques also is helping interventionalists diagnose and plan their therapeutic options for treating endovascular disease. The latest techniques in imaging and treatment will add to the growing body of evidence, attesting to the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy when compared with open surgical techniques.
In the latest issue of the Journal of Endovascular Therapy, Giles et al from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found a favorable comparison between open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
Researchers found that open repair was significantly associated with greater operating time and more intraoperative blood transfusions. Those undergoing open repair also had a higher mortality rate, even after researchers made adjustments for preoperative comorbidities and all preoperative hemodynamic variables.
Another study from Mani et al in Sweden, published in July in Circulation, found that patients undergoing open surgical or endovascular repair of AAA have better outcomes. Researchers suggest that better postoperative care helps these outcomes. They also note that endovascular techniques have allowed for more older patients to undergo AAA repair.
No one doubts that endovascular interventions have made a significant impact on the practice of cardiovascular medicine. The key now is to continually refine those techniques, so they can be offered to more patients and be performed under increasing indications.
For a comprehensive look at emerging technologies, I encourage you to read our two-part series on “Emerging Technologies in Peripheral Vascular Intervention,” written by Dr. David Allie. The articles can be accessed here and here.
Additionally, if you or your colleagues are interested in finding out more about the capabilities of endovascular interventional technology, head to our Healthcare TechGuide and check out the variety of whitepapers and events offered there.
Lastly, if you have a comment or report to share about endovascular interventions and how they are perhaps changing the nature of your practice, please contact me at the address below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chris Kaiser, Editor
ckaiser@cardiovascularbusiness.com
The researchers noted that IT advances have enabled “fast acquisition and processing of the large amounts of digital data essential to capture the dynamic information from fast-flowing blood at high resolution.” And functional imaging is increasingly playing a larger role in helping to predict vascular disease stability or the need for intervention.
The ability to use 3D imaging techniques also is helping interventionalists diagnose and plan their therapeutic options for treating endovascular disease. The latest techniques in imaging and treatment will add to the growing body of evidence, attesting to the safety and efficacy of endovascular therapy when compared with open surgical techniques.
In the latest issue of the Journal of Endovascular Therapy, Giles et al from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found a favorable comparison between open and endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
Researchers found that open repair was significantly associated with greater operating time and more intraoperative blood transfusions. Those undergoing open repair also had a higher mortality rate, even after researchers made adjustments for preoperative comorbidities and all preoperative hemodynamic variables.
Another study from Mani et al in Sweden, published in July in Circulation, found that patients undergoing open surgical or endovascular repair of AAA have better outcomes. Researchers suggest that better postoperative care helps these outcomes. They also note that endovascular techniques have allowed for more older patients to undergo AAA repair.
No one doubts that endovascular interventions have made a significant impact on the practice of cardiovascular medicine. The key now is to continually refine those techniques, so they can be offered to more patients and be performed under increasing indications.
For a comprehensive look at emerging technologies, I encourage you to read our two-part series on “Emerging Technologies in Peripheral Vascular Intervention,” written by Dr. David Allie. The articles can be accessed here and here.
Additionally, if you or your colleagues are interested in finding out more about the capabilities of endovascular interventional technology, head to our Healthcare TechGuide and check out the variety of whitepapers and events offered there.
Lastly, if you have a comment or report to share about endovascular interventions and how they are perhaps changing the nature of your practice, please contact me at the address below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chris Kaiser, Editor
ckaiser@cardiovascularbusiness.com