The Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) yesterday achieved a groundbreaking advancement in cardiology with the successful performance of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) procedure at its facility located in the Georgetown Public Hospital.
A CHI release which announced the milestone noted that this pioneering procedure, a first for Guyana, is a significant milestone for the institute.
It explained that optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a cutting-edge technology that enables doctors to view the interior of blood vessels without the interference of blood flow. This technique provides exceptionally clear and detailed images, similar to inserting a tiny camera into the blood vessel to capture high-resolution pictures. As such, these precise images assist cardiologists in making more informed decisions about treating heart conditions as it allows them to accurately determine the optimal location for placing a stent, a small tube that keeps arteries open. Further, this advanced system incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) with deep learning image analysis to help cardiologists select the most appropriate stent size for each individual patient. Recent clinical trials have shown that imaging-guided stenting outperforms the angiography-only approach.
Dr Terrence Haynes, an advanced interventional cardiologist and lead doctor on yesterday’s case, elaborated on the advantages of the procedure. “OCT provides detailed cross-sectional images with superior clarity. The procedure enhances operational efficiency by enabling more accurate diagnoses, and helping guide treatments with precision to improve patient outcomes, all of which contribute to better overall cardiology procedures.”
According to the release, the team that performed yesterday’s procedure comprised head of cardiology and medical services at the Georgetown Hospital and consultant interventional cardiologist at CHI, Dr Mahendra Carpen; cardiac technician, Jason Solomon; registered nurses, Shinice Moore, and Marissa Jeffers; clinical specialist from Abbott, Katya Villarreal; and Veruschka Sol.
Dr Carpen expressed his appreciation for the introduction of this technology in Guyana. “It will greatly benefit the Cardiology department, the healthcare sector, the country, and most importantly, the patients,” as he praised the procedure for its safety, reliability, and high accuracy.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of CHI, Dr Gary Stephens, noted that the introduction of OCT technology at the institute represents a transformative step forward in cardiac care. “The Carib-bean Heart Institute remains dedicated to innovative solutions and elevating the standard of cardiac care. The successful use of optical coherence tomography marks a new chapter in the institute’s ongoing mission to deliver outstanding cardiology services.”
