§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment his Department has made of the preventive medical aspects of the mobile artery and vein imaging system "MAVIS" as a life-saving facility to prevent strokes.
357W
§ Dr. VaughanThe "MAVIS" mobile artery and vein imaging system, which has received substantial support under the equipment research and development programme of the Department, is an instrument using ultrasound energy for the imaging of blood vessels and the measurement of blood velocities in the vessels imaged. It has been used at two hospitals, as part of the development programme, and is presently being assessed clinically and technically. Amongst the several uses of the instrument, the determination of carotid arterial disease is one which is receiving close attention. While a proportion of strokes can be attributed to carotid arterial disease, it is too early to draw conclusions as to the value of "MAVIS" in the prevention of strokes.