St Vincents Private Hospitals

Optical coherence tomography is a type of high-resolution imaging procedure that is increasingly being used as a technique in cardiology to produce detailed images of your blood vessels. Usually performed alongside a coronary angiogram, an OCT uses a special near infra-red light to diagnose and guide treatment for various heart conditions. These include coronary artery disease, a heart condition caused by a build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). The information collected can be used to assess the best placement for heart stents, monitor existing heart conditions and assess any abnormalities.

What does it do?

OCT is an advanced imaging technique that provides high quality images of the coronary arteries in real time. It can tell your doctor important information such as the exact level of calcification in your arteries, the best location for stent placement and whether there are any abnormalities in the blood vessels. An optical coherence tomography helps your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and implement informed treatment decisions about a variety of heart conditions including coronary artery disease and heart stent placement. The accuracy of OCT also enables your doctor to monitor existing treatment programs.

How does it work?

Optical coherence tomography works by inserting a special type of OCT catheter that emits a near infra-red light once it reaches the coronary arteries. An imaging probe collects the data produced from the light reflecting back, and converts this into high resolution images taken from inside the coronary arteries. These images are then displayed in real time which enables your doctor to assess the extent of any plaque build-up, evaluate the health of the artery walls, observe any abnormalities and make an informed treatment decision.