What is interventional cardiologist?
An interventional cardiologist is a cardiologist with one to two years of additional education and training in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease as well as congenital (present at birth) and structural heart conditions through catheter-based procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting.
What kinds of procedures do interventional cardiologists do?
Types of Interventional Cardiology Procedures
There are several main interventional cardiology procedures, including the following:
Angioplasty and Stenting
A slender, long tube is inserted into your wrist or leg through a blood vessel and guided to your heart or other areas in your body. The doctor injects a dye through your arteries for guidance while he performs the stenting procedure. The catheter has a balloon at the tip which inflates to stretch your artery open and increase blood flow to your heart. He then places a stent (small metal mesh cylinder) into your vessel so it stays open.
Atherectomy
Best Cardiologists London- Dr Boon Lim place a burr or rotary shaver at the tip of a catheter and guide it to the area that is affected to get rid of plaque that is built-up in the walls of your artery. A laser catheter might be used in some cases to vaporize the plaque.
Embolic Protection
Occasionally, if the narrowing that is being treated is in your carotid arteries or in a bypass graft, the doctor will use specialized devices such as filters to prevent the plaque from breaking off and traveling in your blood causing damage.
You have four valves in your heart that controls how your blood flows through your heart chambers. Catheters are used to guide devices like clips to your damaged valve through your blood vessels. Doctors then repair your valve so your blood can start flowing properly again using these devices.
Balloon Angioplasty
A iny balloon is inserted and inflated into your blocked artery during this procedure to create space. The plaque is compressed by the balloon against your artery wall to improve your blood flow. The doctor then takes the balloon out of your body after the procedure is completed.
What is the difference between a cardiologist and an interventional cardiologist?
An interventional cardiologist is a cardiologist with one to two years of additional education and training in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease as well as congenital (present at birth) and structural heart conditions through catheter-based procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting.
Though they both focus on heart issues, interventional cardiologists are trained to perform advanced invasive procedures on their patients, whereas other cardiologists are not. Continue reading to learn more about how these professions differ.
Cardiologists and interventional cardiologists both spend time seeing patients. Cardiologists spend more of their time meeting with patients in medical offices and use preventative strategies to help patients stop cardiovascular conditions from progressing.
Cardiologists who identify patients with serious conditions may refer their patients to an interventional cardiologist for treatment. Therefore, interventional cardiologists typically spend most of their time performing tests and procedures on these patients, such as balloon angioplasties. While they will review patient information and meet with patients before and after procedures, they do most of their work in the hospital.
