What Is Interventional Cardiology?

Interventional Cardiology is a branch of cardiology that focuses on catheter-based treatment of structural heart diseases. Gruentzig is considered the father of interventional cardiology and developed angioplasty. Later, interventional radiologist Charles Dotter developed an improved technique called stenting.

Cardiology Invasive

Interventional cardiology refers to a branch in cardiology that deals specifically with the catheter-based treatment for structural heart diseases. Andreas Gruentzig is considered to be the father of interventional cardiology. He was the first to develop angioplasty, and later on, he was followed by the interventional radiologist Charles Dotter.

Interventional cardiologists often use small, flexible catheters to diagnose heart disease or improve blood flow. These procedures are less invasive and can be used to prevent or cure heart attacks.

Coronary Atherectomy

Coronary atherectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that removes large amounts of plaque from the coronary vessels, is called a minimally invasive procedure. This procedure is used to prepare the heart to receive a stent or balloon angioplasty. To perform the procedure, the physician makes a small incision in the groin and guides a catheter through the femoral artery.

Advanced atherosclerosis is marked by the occurrence of coronary arterial calcification, which significantly increases the complexity and risk of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Atherectomy increases the success rate of PCI and has many applications, including in guiding the delivery and improving stent expansion. The decision to perform atherectomy in a severely calcified coronary artery must be made carefully.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to look at the heart’s functions. It uses a hollow, thin tube called a catheter to examine the heart muscle, valves, as well as the coronary arteries. The procedure is less invasive than traditional surgery, requiring only a single tiny incision. It is also less painful and doesn’t require a hospital stay. It can also help reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Cardiac catheterization is a common diagnostic procedure used to diagnose heart problems and detect potential heart attacks. It involves inserting a dye into the arteries of the heart, which highlights blockages or narrowing. Patients are advised not to take aspirin, glucovance or any other drugs that could affect the function of their heart before undergoing cardiac catheterization. In the hours and days following the procedure, patients should stay hydrated and rest.

Ventricular Septal Defect Repair

Children who suffer from Ventricular septal defect may benefit from interventional cardiology to repair it. This procedure uses a catheter to open the septum and to place a small mesh device to close it. The mesh device stays inside the heart for life and can often be performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure can take up two hours.

While most ventricular septal defects will close on their own within six months, some may require surgery. In the meantime, the patient may be put on medication to manage the symptoms until the defect closes naturally. Surgery may be necessary for large, complex defects, but small ones usually don’t require it. While open heart surgery is the preferred option for many patients, there are minimally invasive techniques that can be performed in the cardiac catheterization suite.

Board Certification In Interventional Cardiology

Board certification in interventional cardiology recognizes the skills and knowledge required to perform the specialized procedures that save lives. This specialty requires special training and knowledge in the indications for cardiovascular interventional procedures and specialized equipment. The certification process takes one year to complete and focuses on a narrow field of cardiovascular medicine.

A new study looked at the association between interventional cardiology board certification and outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Researchers analyzed data from physicians who performed at most ten percutaneous coronary intervention between 2010 and 2013. The American Board of Internal Medicine database was used to determine whether or not these physicians were board certified. After adjusting for patient characteristics and volume, the researchers compared the in-hospital outcomes of patients treated by certified versus noncertified physicians. Secondary endpoints included the necessity for emergency coronary bypass surgery.

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