Device Motion Indication: A Novel Image-Based Tool to Measure Relative Device Motion During Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Movement of the stent delivery system in the coronary bed as a result of the cardiac cycle is a well-known clinical observation that usually is either underestimated or ignored. This effect may potentially jeopardize precise stent deployment. We used a novel technology to objectively measure the relative intracoronary device motion in the different coronary segments throughout the cardiac cycle.

METHODS: A total of 193 patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled and their studies were analyzed for device movement using the SyncVision System (Philips Volcano). The SyncVision System is an add-on image-processing system with unique enhancement and stabilization capabilities. A new feature, the device-motion indication, can precisely display the predeployment device movement measurement (DMM). The device movements within the three segments of each coronary artery were recorded.

RESULTS: We identified 218 branch point sites. Median axial displacement was 2.97 mm at the right coronary artery (RCA), 2.22 mm at the left circumflex, and 1.84 mm at the left anterior descending segments. The most movable segments were mid and distal RCA (P<.05). Both heart rate and cardiac contractility significantly affected DMM.

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates an innovative feature of the SyncVision System as a tool to precisely measure relative device displacement. We claim that the relative device movement is an important quality metric to consider for achieving an effective stent implantation process.