The MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Long Beach Memorial has acquired the C7-XR™ OCT Intravascular Imaging System. (See the related story, “Looking at a patient’s heart wasn’t easy half a century ago” on this Web page.)
The C7-XR System is a leading imaging technology platform that aids physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Using Optical Coherence Tomography, the system uses near-infrared light to create images that go beyond older coronary imaging technologies—such as fluoroscopy and intravascular ultrasound—offering cardiologists enhanced clarity for their patients with coronary artery disease.
The St. Jude Medical C7-XR System allows physicians at Long Beach Memorial to visualize and measure important vessel characteristics otherwise invisible or difficult to assess with previous imaging technology.
The imaging capabilities of the C7-XR System assist physicians by providing them with precise measurements of lesion dimensions and vessel size and structure.
“The C7-XR System can be especially important for the assessment of stent placement because the high-resolution images show precisely how the stent is holding the artery open and whether it is positioned correctly against the artery wall, optimizing treatment and follow-up strategies,” said Rex Winters, medical director of Invasive Technology, MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Long Beach Memorial.
By acquiring this new technology, the institute will be able to continue provide diagnosis and treatment for cardiac patients in the region. The OCT imaging technology will join the list of the many diagnostic testings available to patients.
In addition to guiding stent selection, the C7-XR System helps physicians minimizing the risk of what doctors call “repeat revascularization.” Repeat revascularization would mean the patient would have to have another surgery to restore blood flow to an organ or tissue.
For more information, visit memorialcare.org.
