What is an Interventional Cardiology Consultation?
Interventional Cardiology is a specialized field of cardiology that focuses on diagnosing and treating heart disease using minimally invasive procedures. An Interventional Cardiology Consultation can provide expert guidance and use advanced techniques to determine which procedures, such as angioplasty, stenting, and atherectomy, can help to improve blood flow and reduce symptoms of heart disease.
Interventional Cardiology includes minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
During angioplasty, a small balloon is inserted into a blocked artery and inflated, pushing the plaque to the sides of the artery wall and improving blood flow.
A stent is a small, mesh-like device that is inserted into a blocked artery to help keep it open. Stents can be used during angioplasty or placed directly into an artery to treat narrowing or blockages.
Individuals with heart disease or other cardiac conditions that may benefit from minimally invasive procedures may be candidates for Consultative Interventional Cardiology. Your doctor will determine if you are a candidate based on your medical history and specific health needs.
During a procedure, you will be given local anesthesia and a sedative to help you relax. The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the specific procedure being performed. Afterward, you will be monitored for several hours to ensure that there are no complications.