Bringing OCT Exchange into Real Clinical Practice at Beijing Fuwai Hospital

Interventional cardiology has always been a discipline that thrives on exchange — across borders, across experience levels, and across clinical cultures. At CIT 2026, one of the most important interventional cardiology congresses in the Asia-Pacific region, this spirit of exchange was palpable in every session, every debate, and every hallway conversation. But for one group of international clinicians, the most meaningful part of their visit didn't happen inside the congress venue. It happened inside a cath lab.

Following the CIT 2026 congress program, Vivolight Medical supported an international delegation of physicians traveled to Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences — China's leading cardiovascular center — for a hospital-based clinical exchange focused on intravascular imaging-guided PCI. For these visiting clinicians, the opportunity to step inside one of the world's highest-volume cath labs and observe how imaging is integrated into daily practice represented something that no lecture or symposium could replicate: the chance to see, in real time, how technology translates into clinical decisions that affect patient outcomes.

Inside the Cath Lab: Observing Real-Time Imaging-Guided PCI

On April 22, the clinical exchange began where it matters most — in the cath lab control room. The delegation observed a live procedure performed by Prof. Song Lei, following the clinical workflow closely as it unfolded. From the moment the OCT catheter was advanced to real-time image acquisition and interpretation, participants gained a direct view of how intravascular imaging information supports procedural understanding in a real interventional environment

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For many in the delegation, this was a rare opportunity to observe how an expert operator integrates imaging data into every step of the procedure — not as an afterthought or a troubleshooting tool, but as a fundamental part of the clinical workflow.

From Observation to Dialogue: A Case-Based Discussion

After the procedure, the delegation joined Prof. Song for an in-depth discussion session centered on real-world PCI cases. This was not a lecture. It was a dialogue — one where the visiting physicians brought their own clinical perspectives, asked questions drawn from their daily practice, and engaged in the kind of candid, case-based exchange that only happens when clinicians from different backgrounds sit down together with real imaging data on the screen.

The exchange covered clinically relevant scenarios including:

● In-stent restenosis: How OCT can provide high-resolution visualization of stent-related and tissue-related findings, helping physicians better understand possible mechanisms behind restenosis — whether it's neointimal hyperplasia, stent underexpansion, or stent fracture — and tailor treatment accordingly.

● Severe eccentric calcification: How OCT can help evaluate calcium distribution, thickness, morphology, and severity, providing critical information for strategy selection — from rotational atherectomy to intravascular lithotripsy — and treatment optimization.

● Stent edge dissection: How high-resolution imaging can identify dissections and hemotoma that might be missed on angiography, enabling physicians to make informed decisions about whether to treat, extend, or observe.

Through case review and expert dialogue, the group discussed how intravascular imaging — especially OCT — can support the full PCI workflow: lesion assessment, procedural planning, treatment optimization, and post-intervention evaluation. The discussion reinforced a point that resonated across cultures and practice settings: imaging doesn't just help you see better. It helps you decide better.

The P80 Multimodal OCT Platform: One Pullback, Multiple Answers

The clinical exchange also connected real-world case discussion with Vivolight's Cornaris P80 Multimodal OCT Imaging System. The system provides One-stop PCI Solution combining Functional assessment with OCT assessment from a single OCT pullback:

● OCT-Derived FFR: OCT-FFR combines Functional assessment derived directly from OCT data with OCT assessment, eliminating the need for a separate pressure wire and providing hemodynamic information within the same imaging workflow.

● Index of Plaque Attenuation (IPA): Plaque stability assessment that helps physicians characterize plaque composition and identify potentially vulnerable lesions.

● Intelligent Calcium Assessment (ICA): AI-powered calcium volume and score quantification that supports precise pretreatment strategy selection for calcified lesions.

With multimodal assessment results available from a single pullback, the P80 platform is designed to help physicians obtain more actionable information without additional consumables or procedure time — a practical advantage that was particularly appreciated by the delegation, many of whom work in clinical settings where procedural efficiency is a daily priority.

Looking Ahead: From Exchange to Partnership

By the end of the visit, the conversation had moved beyond clinical technique. The delegation and Prof. Song's team discussed the possibility of establishing ongoing collaboration — future case exchanges, joint academic activities, and continued dialogue around imaging-guided PCI. For both sides, the value was clear: different patient populations, different practice patterns, and different healthcare systems can inform new perspectives on shared clinical challenges. The exchange at Fuwai was a starting point, not a conclusion.

By combining congress-based academic training with hospital-based clinical exchange, the visit helped the delegation build a more concrete understanding of OCT's role across the PCI workflow — from lesion assessment and strategy selection to treatment optimization and post-intervention evaluation. Vivolight Medical will continue to work closely with clinical experts, hospitals, and global partners to promote practical education, clinical communication, and the broader application of OCT-guided coronary intervention.