We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
RANDOX LABORATORIES

Download Mobile App




Cutting-Edge Virtual Blood Vessel Technology Could Prevent Unnecessary Invasive Stent Placements

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Jun 2023
Print article
Image: Virtual blood vessel technology could improve heart disease care (Photo courtesy of BHF)
Image: Virtual blood vessel technology could improve heart disease care (Photo courtesy of BHF)

Coronary angiogram, a medical procedure often used to look for potential blockages within a patient's coronary arteries, can sometimes prove difficult to interpret, particularly when an artery is only partially obstructed. Such instances can complicate treatment plans, especially in cases involving complex heart diseases. Now, cutting-edge technology that creates 3D computer models of blood flow through the heart's arteries can benefit heart disease patients by preventing such invasive procedures.

The innovative VIRTUHeart technology, developed by researchers at the University of Sheffield (Sheffield, UK), re-creates the less commonly used but highly invasive Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) test. This test involves inserting a special wire into the arteries to gauge blood flow. However, factors such as time constraints, availability, complex anatomy, and the practitioner's level of familiarity with the process often lead to FFR being underused. By utilizing a patient's angiogram images, the VIRTUHeart system generates a "virtual FFR", creating computer models of their blood vessels, thus enabling doctors to evaluate blood flow and gain more comprehensive insights into the blockages.

Researchers examined the effectiveness of VIRTUHeart in a trial involving doctors treating heart attack patients. The findings suggested that over 20% of patient treatments would have been altered if VIRTUHeart technology was used. It could also have reduced the need for invasive procedures such as stent implantation in a number of cases. The research also indicated that VIRTUHeart could optimize treatment plans tailored to individual patient's needs, reduce doctors' workloads, and improve the efficiency of heart care services. The researchers are presently studying the possible impacts of wide-scale application of this technology within the UK's National Health Service (NHS), including potential effects on waiting lists. The researchers expect the technology to become operational within a timeframe of three years.

“By giving doctors a better understanding of what is happening inside their patient’s blood vessels, we’ve shown that this technology has the potential to help improve how we assess and treat heart disease, ensuring patients have the treatment that best meets their needs,” said Dr. Hazel Arfah Haley, Interventional Cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who led the study. “Our team are also investigating whether VIRTUHeart could improve treatment for people with another common heart condition called angina, helping to make sure that even more patients get the treatment they need first time around.”

Related Links:
University of Sheffield 

Platinum Supplier
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Supplier
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
New
Gold Supplier
POC Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile Prime Plus
New
Defibrillator & Monitor
LiFEGAIN CU-HD1

Print article
Radcal

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The ARC-IM Stimulator with brain-computer interface restores arm, hand, and finger function after spinal cord injury (Photo courtesy of ONWARD Medical)

First-in-Human Implant of Thought-Driven Movement Device to Treat Spinal Cord Injury

In order to walk, signals from the brain are sent to neurons in the lumbosacral part of the spinal cord. When a spinal cord injury occurs, it cuts off this essential communication between the brain and... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The broad-spectrum POC coagulometer is well-suited for emergency room and emergency vehicle use (Photo courtesy of Perosphere)

Novel POC Coagulometer with Lab-Like Precision to Revolutionize Coagulation Testing

In emergency settings, when patients arrive with a bleed or require urgent surgery, doctors rely solely on clinical judgment to determine if a patient is adequately anticoagulated for reversal treatment.... Read more

Business

view channel
Image: The global surgical lights market is expected to grow by close to USD 0.50 billion from 2022 to 2027 (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Global Surgical Lights Market Driven by Increasing Number of Procedures

The global surgical lights market is set to witness high growth, largely due to the increasing incidence of chronic illnesses, a surge in demand for cosmetic and plastic surgeries, and untapped opportunities... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.