Invasive Procedures

Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a test used to evaluate your heart and coronary arteries. A special dye (called contrast material) is usually injected into the coronary arteries to trace the movement of blood through the arteries. The purpose of cardiac catheterization is to pinpoint the size and location of plaque that may have built up in your coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis. This is generally done to determine whether you may need bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Angioplasty
To treat coronary artery disease, angioplasty may be done by attaching a small balloon to the catheter. Once the catheter has been guided to the proper location in an artery, the balloon is inflated. The pressure from the inflated balloon presses the plaque against the wall of the artery to improve blood flow.

Stenting
Stenting usually is done along with angioplasty. Once the plaque build-up is compressed using angioplasty, a small expandable wire tube called a stent is inserted to hold the artery open.

Atherectomy
Atherectomy is another procedure that may be done during cardiac catheterization to open a partially blocked coronary artery. Once the catheter reaches the narrowed portion of the artery, a cutting device, a whirling blade such as a rotoblade, or a laser beam is used to remove the fat and calcium build-up from the artery wall.

Electrophysiology (EPS)
An electrophysiology study or EPS is a diagnostic procedure to look more closely at the electrical function of your heart. It is one of the most accurate and reliable methods of evaluating your heart rhythm and can help your physician determine an appropriate treatment option for you.

Vascular
An arteriogram or venogram is a test that uses a special dye (contrast material) to evaluate the blood vessels throughout the body for blockages. Problems in the "peripheral" blood vessels especially the ones to the abdomen, arms, kidneys, legs, brain and neck are as important as problems in the heart. These tests are done to determine whether you may need angioplasty or surgery.

All patients are scheduled on the day/date chosen by their physician. Because of the nature of heart disease there are urgent and emergent situations that may necessitate a change in their schedule and our schedule. Additionally we choose to perform any interventions (repair/open vessel blockages) at the time it is discovered rather than at a later time or date (if we can repair it the same day).