The press release from Novadaq Technologies informs that the company’s SPY™ Intra-operative Imaging System has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for use during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG):
The SPY Intra-operative Imaging System is the first fluorescent imaging system available for use during CABG. SPY enables cardiac surgeons to simply and efficiently confirm proper placement of their bypass grafts and assess the functionality of those grafts while the patient is still on the operating room table. Use of Novadaq’s SPY Imaging System may potentially reduce the number of patients that must return to the operating room for the revision of improperly functioning or potentially misplaced grafts.
The system relies on ICG (indocyanine green), that has to be injected IV in order for a sensor to detect fluorescence. As a cardiac anesthesiologist, I can assure that using this system will be welcomed: current use of Doppler ultrasound to detect the flow inside coronaries and grafts (by listening to it!) is totally outdated.
This system surely reminds us of an experimental Vein Contrast Enhancer, that supposedly does not use any contrast agents, unlike the SPY system.
For additional info about the SPY Procedure see here…