New imaging options for CAD care

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. It's the most common form of heart disease and remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

Many patients with CAD are treated with a minimally invasive procedure called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in which a cardiologist opens the blocked artery and places a stent to restore healthy blood flow.

The Ultreon™ 3.0 platform enhances the PCI procedure by using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), an advanced imaging technology that uses light waves to create highly detailed, cross-sectional images from inside the coronary arteries.

These real-time images help physicians precisely measure the blockage, understand its shape and location and determine the optimal placement of a stent.

Smarter technology, personalized treatment

The platform's intelligent software automates complex measurements during the procedure, providing physicians with immediate insights that support confident, personalized treatment decisions.

"By automating complex measurements during a PCI, the new platform helps our team make highly informed decisions in real time, tailored exactly to the anatomy of each patient's heart," said Bassem Chehab, MD, Medical Director of Structural Cardiology, Clinical Cardiology and Research at Ascension Via Christi. "It represents a pivotal step forward in how we treat and ultimately care for our patients."

Advanced heart care, close to home

For patients across Wichita and south-central Kansas, this technology means access to one of the latest advances in interventional cardiology without having to travel outside the region for complex heart procedures.

As Ascension Via Christi continues to invest in innovative technologies, patients benefit from care that combines advanced heartcare with a commitment to personalized, compassionate treatment.

"This technology represents a pivotal step forward in how we treat and ultimately care for our patients," Dr. Chehab said. "Our goal is to provide the highest level of cardiovascular care while keeping patients close to the support of their families and communities."

As the region's leading provider of inpatient cardiology care by patient volume, Ascension Via Christi remains committed to bringing innovative, patient-centered heart care to the communities it serves.

For more information, visit ascension.org/ViaChristiHeart or call 316-268-7030.