The GE InnovaTM 2000 is helping make Cardiologists around the world see Cardiac Images as never before. The rise in volume and level of sophistication of interventional procedures has compounded the need for outstanding image quality in a cathlab. The need to see not only coronary vessels and their pathology, but the actual morphological make-up of specific lesions, as well as wires and stents deployed interventionally in therapeutic procedures, is imperative for improved outcomes. The greatest challenge is visualization of pathology and devices, in views that do not compromise the procedure - whether that be over spine, lung field, or diaphragm. GE Medical Systems has taken the lead to bring the breakthrough technology far ahead, by being the first company to come out with a Digital Flat Panel Detector.

Dr G S Kalra, Dr Jagmohan Varma and 
Dr Rakesh K Jaswal of Fortis Heart Institute in their INNOVA Suite.

GE InnovaTM 2000 RevolutionTM Digital Detector provides the industry's first fully digital imaging capability. By converting X-ray signals into digital images at the point of acquisition, the RevolutionTM Detector captures information with minimal loss over the full range of typical exposures. It also minimizes the artifacts and distortions associated with conventional systems.

Fortis Heart Institute (FHI), a 200 bed Super Speciality Cardiac Hospital, offers the most                  comprehensive and integrated cardiac care in the country. Fortis Heart Institute is the first             hospital in South Asia to acquire INNOVATM 2000. The GE PACS is seamlessly integrated with     the GE Hospital Information System thus enabling all users in the hospital to see Images and         Information in any single PC instantly.                                                                                                                                         

 The Imaging Quality of InnovaTM is unparalleled. Due to its superb image quality and wider imaging        field, overall procedure times are shorter than conventional labs. This is possible because there is a        decreased need for precise angulation to avoid the spine, liver or lung fields.                                          

Dr. G. S. Kalra MD, DM (Cardiology) Sr. Consultant and Invasive Cardiologist                                       The INNOVATM is different than anything else that I have ever used. Faster and more accurate               procedures are possible because of excellent image quality of INNOVA^TM which means I can treat more patients.                                                                                                                                          From my perspective, INNOVATM produces our best coronary images by far, and that means we see     better.As a result, I am more confident of whatever I do, when I do it on INNOVA^TM.                               Dr. Jagmohan Varma Sr. Consultant & Invasive Cardiologist                                                             

I can see it all... Dr. Subash Chandra

World's first all Digital Flat Panel Cathlab - 
                                                    INNOVA functional at Manipal Heart Foundation.

A 65 year old gentleman underwent CABG in 1992 and received saphenous vein grafts to the LAD, Diagonal and Distal RCA. In 1999 he underwent Angioplasty and stenting of the diagonal graft and the distal native RCA. He presented now with recurrent angina.

Diagnostic angiography showed severe degeneration of the vein graft to the LAD and a long 70-80% stenosis of the proximal RCA. The previously stented segments were widely patent. His LV ejection fraction was 20%. In view of his disabling angina he underwent angioplasty and stenting of the LAD vein grafts and the RCA.

The LAD vein graft was stented with distal protection using a "Guard Wire system which incorporates a compliant balloon on a 0.014" guide wire to occlude the distal vein graft, preventing distal embolization. The guidewire was inflated to 6mm and the stenting of a long segment of degeneration in the vein graft was done with a 5 x 47 mm Wall stent.

Post procedure, there was no residual stenosis or visible degenerative material in the vein graft with TIMI grade III distal flow. The RCA was dilated and stented with a 3.5 mm stent to get a good result.

The diagnostic and interventional procedure was done on the InnovaTM 2000 Flat Panel Digital Detector Cathlab. The vein grafts and the distal vessels were seen very clearly. During intervention, the catheter, guide wire, balloon and the stents were also seen clearly. The GE InnovaTM 2000 delivers outstanding image quality and has enabled interventional Cardiologists to see more clearly than the old image intensifier based analog imaging chains. It is also possible to optimize the exposure parameters to produce the images as per individual tastes.

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   Issue 38, July 2002