Interventional Cardiology
In some cases, heart disease can be treated using minimally invasive interventional cardiology techniques that use a catheter (thin, flexible tube) inserted into the arteries. The catheter is guided to the heart to open blocked arteries and improve blood flow. These advanced techniques are performed on an outpatient basis and offer a non-surgical alternative to treat many heart conditions.
ShorePoint Health Venice's board-certified interventional cardiologists use a variety of catheter-assisted techniques to treat heart disease, including:
- Cardiac catheterization - This procedure is the insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart. This is done for both diagnostic and interventional purposes. Coronary catheterization is a subset of this technique, involving the catheterization of the coronary arteries.
- Stenting - Through cardiac catheterization, a wire mesh tube called a stent is permanently placed in a blocked artery to hold it open and allow blood to circulate. Both metal and drug-eluting stents, which secrete drugs that help prevent the blood vessel from reclosing, are available.
- Atherectomy (Rotablater) - This procedure is conducted to open coronary arteries blocked by plaque. Through cardiac catheterization, a catheter is advanced to an artery's blockage, where it removes the plaque buildup.
- Miniaturized wireless monitoring sensor - The device, about the size of a dime, is implanted in the pulmonary artery during a minimally invasive procedure and remotely provides daily updates to the physician on pressure levels affecting the heart for patients living with heart failure. With just a phone call, adjustments can be made to the patient's medication, or the doctor and patient can discuss lifestyle choices that may be contributing factors.
- Balloon angioplasty - Also known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA, this procedure is used to open blocked coronary arteries. During cardiac catheterization, an expandable balloon is delivered through a catheter into a narrowed part of the coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated, stretching the artery open and allowing blood to flow through.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) - A catheter that replaces the aortic valve for those suffering from aortic stenosis. This procedure is beneficial for patients who are not good candidates for open heart surgery. Additional benefits can include shorter procedure time, faster recovery and less medication. Patients generally experience improved energy, easier breathing and less stress.
Learn more about TAVR and meet the TAVR team.
When open-heart surgery offers the best treatment solution, our board-certified cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons perform advanced procedures such as coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), congenital heart disease repair and valve repair and replacement.
To find a heart care physician at ShorePoint Health Venice, call our physician referral line at (855) 876-2362 or view our physician directory.
Take a heart risk assessment to find out your heart's relative age and to learn more about your personal risk factors.