CaroMont Heart & Vascular
Interventional Cardiology
Interventional cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology involving minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular diseases. Interventional cardiology procedures are done in a cardiac catheterization lab by heart specialists called interventional cardiologists. Interventional cardiologists diagnose and treat:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Vascular disease
Interventional cardiology procedures may include the following:
Coronary angiography: a procedure that uses a special dye and x-rays to see how blood flows through your heart.
Angioplasty: a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries).
Heart stent insertion: A heart stent is a tiny tube placed into an artery to hold the artery open. It is normally placed inside a coronary artery following balloon angioplasty.
Radial cardiac catheterization: This is a special type of cardiac catheterization in which the catheter is inserted through an artery in your wrist.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI, formerly known as angioplasty with stent) is a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter (a thin flexible tube) to place a small structure called a stent to open up blood vessels in the heart that have been narrowed by plaque buildup, a condition known as atherosclerosis. PCI improves blood flow, thus decreasing heart-related chest pain (angina), making you feel better and increasing your ability to be active. PCI is usually scheduled ahead of time.
If you are referred to CaroMont Health, you'll be assigned an attending cardiologist who will become the key contact for you, your family and your referring physician. Your cardiologist will stay in close communication with you and your primary care provider to provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to care.