Differentiating between Interventional Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery
Interventional Cardiology Specialities
Tests Ordered in Interventional Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology Procedures
Interventional Cardiology Overview
Interventional cardiology is a branch of cardiology that specializes in treating cardiovascular diseases with catheter-based procedures. For a more detailed overview, see our article on Interventional Cardiology Overview. It involves the use of catheters (thin tubes) and other medical devices to access the heart & blood vessels, allowing interventional cardiologists to perform diagnostic tests & therapeutic interventions.
Differentiating between Interventional Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery
In comparison to cardiothoracic surgery, interventional cardiology focuses on nonsurgical, catheter-based procedures. Learn more about this our guide on diagnostic Interventional Cardiology vs Cardiothoracic Surgery. while cardiothoracic surgery involves surgical interventions on the heart & thoracic (chest) cavity. Interventional cardiology is less invasive and generally associated with shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times compared to cardiothoracic surgery.
Interventional Cardiology Specialities
A provider in interventional cardiology specializes in the diagnosis & treatment of various cardiovascular conditions using non-surgical heart treatment methods. They have extensive knowledge & experience in specializing in cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and stent placement.
Diagnostic tests and catheter-based heart procedures
Some of the tests that an interventional cardiologist may perform, or order include the following:
- Cardiac catheterization: This procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel and guiding it to the heart to evaluate its structure and function.
- Coronary angiography: angioplasty and stenting It is a type of X-ray test that uses a contrast dye injected through a catheter to visualize the coronary arteries and identify blockages or narrowing.
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS): This test uses a tiny ultrasound probe attached to a catheter to obtain detailed images of the inside of the blood vessels.
- tests used for heart disease diagnosis and treatment: It measure blood pressure and flow in specific coronary arteries to determine if a blockage is causing reduced blood flow.
Interventional Cardiology Procedures
These procedures include the ones given as under:
- Catheter-based vascular therapy: Commonly known as angioplasty, this procedure involves inserting a catheter with a balloon at the tip into a blocked coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated to widen the artery and restore blood flow. In many cases, a stent (a small mesh tube) is also placed to keep the artery open.
- Coronary artery stenting: It involves placing a stent in a narrowed or blocked coronary artery to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): This procedure is used to replace a narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. A catheter is used to implant a new valve, which is expanded and positioned within the diseased valve.
- Structural heart interventions: These procedures involve repairing or replacing defects or abnormalities in the structure of the heart, such as atrial septal defect closure, patent foramen ovale closure, or transcatheter mitral valve repair.
Common Procedure Performed in Interventional Cardiology
The most common procedure performed in interventional cardiology is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which includes angioplasty & stenting. It is used to treat coronary artery disease, relieve angina (chest pain), and restore blood flow to the heart.
Heart and blood vessel conditions treated by interventional cardiologists
Interventional cardiology is primarily focused on the diagnosis & treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including the ones given below:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disorders
- Congenital heart defects
- Peripheral artery disease
- Certain types of heart failure
Doctor Arun Is a Sincere Interventional Cardiologist
So, once you have understood interventional cardiology meaning, it is important to note that the specific practice setting can vary depending on the healthcare system and country. get in touch with the best interventional cardiologist, Doctor Arun, who is a worthy specialist in this field, and you can always get in touch with his expert team to get his appointment for any symptoms related to heart.
