Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology

Get catheter-based treatments for heart disease and structural heart defects from the skilled interventional cardiologists at PIH Health.

What is a Cardiac Catheterization?

A cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure where thin, long tubes (catheters) are placed into the heart and its arteries. When contrast dye is injected into these chambers, the Cardiologists are able to assess the heart’s function as well as if there are any blockages in the coronary arteries. The Cardiologist may decide to use either the femoral artery or the radial artery (transradial catheterization) as an access point to gain access to the artery

Conditions We Treat

Rely on the interventional cardiologists to diagnose and treat:
• Angina – Chest pain
• Atherosclerosis – Narrowing arteries due to a buildup of plaque
• Coronary artery blockage
• Blood clot
• Heart attack
• Structural heart problems

Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

In the event your doctor notices that there is an abnormality in the heart or the coronary arteries, he may recommend several treatments, such as:
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – Uses a tiny balloon catheter to open and or widen a blocked coronary.
• Stent – generally following a PCI, the Cardiologist will also place a metallic stent in the artery where the blockage was opened to help “prop” up the artery, and maintain blood flow and improve blood flow
• Cardiac Surgery

Benefits of Interventional Cardiology

If your doctor recommends an interventional cardiology procedure, you may benefit from:
• Faster recovery, less pain and less invasive than Cardiac surgery
• Lower risk of a heart attack by restoring blood flow and widening your arteries
• Shorter hospital stay, you may go home after an interventional cardiology procedure