Interventional
Interventional Cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology in which catheter-based diagnostic tests and treatment are provided for coronary artery disease, valvular disease, structural heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and various other diseases. Interventional cardiology is a branch of cardiology that deals specifically with the catheter based treatment of structural heart diseases.
A large number of procedures can be performed on the heart by catheterization. This most commonly involves the insertion of a sheath into the femoral artery (but, in practice, any large peripheral artery or vein) and cannulating the heart under X-ray visualization (most commonly fluoroscopy). The radial artery may also be used for cannulation; this approach offers several advantages:
1. Easy accessibility of the artery in most patients,
2. Easy control of bleeding even in anticoagulated patients,
3. More comfortable to the patient because they are capable of sitting up and walking immediately following the procedure, and
4. The near absence of clinically significant sequelae in patients with a normal Allen test.
The main advantages of using the interventional cardiology or radiology approach are the avoidance of the scars and pain, and long post-operative recovery. Additionally, interventional cardiology procedure of primary angioplasty is now the gold standard of care for an acute myocardial infarction
Interventional Cardiology procedures can include:
Balloon Angioplasty
Balloon Angioplasty creates a space in a blocked artery by inserting and inflating a tiny balloon. The balloon compresses the plaque against the wall of the artery so blood can flow more freely. The balloon does not remain in the body.
What is meant by Unstable Anigma and Mycardial Infraction ?
Unstable Angina
Chest pain that occurs as a consequence of reduced blood supply to the heart is termed as angina. Unstable angina occurs as a result of lack of blood flow to the heart muscles. However, the heart muscle is not damaged. Unlike pain with stable angina, which gets better with rest, the symptoms of unstable angina typically occur at rest. The pain persists despite taking medications. Unstable angina is thus equivalent to a threatened heart attack and must be attended to immediately.
Myocardial infarction
A myocardial infarction (MI) is what is commonly known as a heart attack. This occurs as a result of clot formation subsequent to a plaque rupture. The clot can completely block the artery and cut off the blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle. Thus, if not treated at the earliest, it can lead to damage and death of the respective heart muscle. Occasionally, spasm of coronary arteries can also lead to a heart attack.
Intracoronary Stenting
Intracoronary Stenting requires the permanent insertion of a tiny stainless steel wire-mesh tube called a stent to keep arteries open following a balloon angioplasty. Both bare-metal and drug-eluting (medication-releasing) stents are available.
Carotid Stents and Stroke Intervention
Carotid Stents and Stroke Intervention involves the insertion of a stent to expand the carotid arteries located on each side of the neck, extending from the aorta to the base of the skull to supply blood to the brain. If a clot or plaque blocks the blood flow to the brain, it can cause a stroke, resulting in brain damage or death.
Congenital Heart Defect Correction
Congenital Heart Defect Correction can be employed to correct atrial septal and ventricular septal defects, closure of a patent ductus arteriosus and angioplasty of the great vessels.
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) can accurately measure blood pressure and flow through a specific part of the coronary artery. The measurement of FFR has been shown useful in assessing whether or not to perform angioplasty or stenting on intermediate blockages.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) help treat patients at high risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Implanted through a small incision near the shoulder, ICDs use electrical pulses or shocks to help control life-threatening and irregular heartbeats.
Pacemaker Insertion
Pacemaker Insertion is for patients with abnormally slow heart rhythms, congestive heart failure and those at risk for sudden death. Pacemakers help coordinate the pumping action of the heart by sending electrical signals, allowing the heart to pump more effectively.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Intervention involves the evaluation of diseases of the blood vessels outside the heart. Balloon angioplasty and stenting may be used similarly to heart procedures to treat PAD.
Peripheral Atherectomy
Peripheral Atherectomy cuts through plaque in the blood vessels outside the heart. The plaque is reduced to particles smaller than red blood cells, resulting in a smoother inner surface of the vessel that allows for increased blood flow.
