February 14, 2017

Dr. Savastano, et al. publishes important work in Nature Biomedical Engineering

Laser-based camera improves view of carotid artery

Endoscope Diagram

Michigan Medicine researchers employ novel technology to monitor vulnerabilities for cardiovascular events, aid in diagnosis and treatment

'Strokes and heart attacks often strike without warning. But, a unique application of a medical camera could one day help physicians know who is at risk for a cardiovascular event by providing a better view of potential problem areas.

A new paper in Nature Biomedical Engineering reports proof-of-concept results for this new imaging platform for atherosclerosis.

“The camera actually goes inside the vessels,” says first author Luis Savastano, M.D., a Michigan Medicine resident neurosurgeon. “We can see with very high resolution the surface of the vessels and any lesions, such as a ruptured plaque, that could cause a stroke. This technology could possibly find the ‘smoking gun’ lesion in patients with strokes of unknown cause, and may even be able to show which silent, but at-risk, plaques may cause a cardiovascular event in the future.”'

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Aditya S. Pandey, M.D.

Chair and Julian T. Hoff, M.D. Professor
Professor, Neurological Surgery, Radiology, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Surgical Director, Comprehensive Stroke Center
Director, Strategic Vision and Outside Collaborations – Neurosurgery
734-936-7010

B. Gregory Thompson, M.D.

John E. McGillicuddy Professor of Neurological Surgery
Professor, Otolaryngology
Professor, Radiology
734-936-7010