Interventional Cardiology

What is interventional cardiology?

Interventional cardiology uses catheters to diagnose and treat various cardiovascular diseases. Catheters are tiny tubes that healthcare providers put through your blood vessels. You don’t need an incision (cut) for these procedures.

In medicine, an intervention is a treatment or procedure that prevents or treats disease. For this field of medicine, the interventions involve using catheters.

Interventional cardiology procedures have benefits compared to more invasive cardiac surgeries, like:

• Smaller cuts
• Lower risk of blood loss
• Faster recovery time
• Shorter hospital stays

What does an interventional cardiologist do?

In interventional cardiology, the focus is on making sure your blood flows the way it should. Providers in this specialty find and fix issues that get in the way of your blood flow. For example, they may check the blood flow and pressure in your coronary arteries and heart chambers.

An interventional cardiologist uses catheters to do minimally invasive procedures on your heart or blood vessels. They can diagnose or treat conditions this way. They don’t do open-heart surgery like a cardiothoracic surgeon does.

The most common interventional cardiology procedure is angioplasty and stent placement in your coronary artery. Your provider uses a catheter to find a blockage in one of your heart’s arteries. Then, they make a path for your blood using a tiny balloon. They can keep that pathway open with a stent if needed. This can be a lifesaving procedure for a heart attack.

Examples of other medical procedures include:

• Angiogram
• Atherectomy
• Atrial septal defect closure
• Cardiac catheterization
• Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement
• Heart valve replacement and repair
• Renal denervation (damaging renal artery nerves to lower blood pressure)
• Thrombolysis

Why would I be referred to an interventional cardiologist?

Your healthcare provider may refer you to an interventional cardiologist if you have a heart or blood vessel issue. You may need a diagnosis or a treatment.

Some examples of these conditions include:

• Aneurysms
• Atherosclerosis
• Blood clots
• Cardiomyopathy
• Carotid and coronary artery disease
• Congenital heart conditions
• Heart valve disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Septal defects

Sometimes, surgery is necessary for these conditions. But an interventional cardiologist can see if you’re a good fit for a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter.

An interventional cardiologist may also give you treatment in an emergency, like if you have a heart attack.

What can I expect at an interventional cardiology appointment?

An interventional cardiologist will ask you about your symptoms and how long you’ve been having them. They’ll ask about your health history and your family’s history of heart and blood vessel issues. Be sure to bring a medication list so they can see what you’re taking. This includes medicines or supplements you buy without a prescription.

Your provider will listen to your heart. They may do simple exams at your appointment. For example, they may listen to your heart and check your blood pressure.

If you need a procedure, you’ll need to schedule a separate appointment for another day. Your provider will discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure they think would benefit you. They’ll tell you how to prepare for it.

What do interventional cardiologists specialize in?

Interventional cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology. There aren’t yet recognized subspecialties of interventional cardiology. In other words, there aren’t specific certifications. But doctors in this field may focus on specific areas and procedures, including:

• Peripheral blood vessels
• Structural heart issues
• Adult congenital heart conditions
• Chronic total occlusion revascularization

Interventional cardiologists may also specialize in heart conditions that affect children (pediatrics).