Skip to main content

Who is an Interventional cardiologist?

An interventional cardiologist is a cardiologist who has one to two years of additional education and training in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases as well as congenital (congenital) and catheter-based procedures for structural heart conditions, such as angioplasty and stenting.

What kinds of procedures do interventional cardiologists do?

Cardiac catheterization

This test assesses the presence, size, and location of plaque deposits in the arteries, the strength of the heart muscle, and the function of the heart valves. During cardiac catheterization, the catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the leg or wrist and gently guided into the heart. Contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries so the cardiologist can detect the movement of blood through the arteries and chambers of the heart.


Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

The goal of PGI, also known as angioplasty, is to open the coronary artery to restore blood flow. PCI is a procedure scheduled for the emergency treatment of a heart attack patient or for adequate blood flow to the heart. The cardiologist selects the most suitable tool to repair the cardiac vessels based on the specific anatomy of the patient.


Balloon angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty improves blood flow to the heart. The balloon-tipped catheter is guided into the blocked artery. The balloon inflates the blocked area and opens the arterial walls.


Atherectomy

This procedure uses a special spray device to open hardened blockages in the coronary arteries. Atherectomy is often performed during balloon angioplasty. In many cases, a stent is then inserted into the blockage.


Stent implantation

After balloon angioplasty or atherectomy, a small metal coil or mesh tube called a stent may be placed in the artery. The stent is placed at the end of a catheter, inserted through a blood vessel in the leg or wrist, and guided to the heart, where the newly opened arteries do not collapse.


What is the difference between an interventional cardiologist and a cardiologist?

Cardiologists

Cardiologists must complete a residency in internal medicine after obtaining a medical degree. After residency, it will take two years to complete a fellowship in cardiology. The standard role of cardiologists is to act as non-invasive cardiologists and recommend lifestyle changes, such as performing diagnostic tests and treating patients by prescribing medication or improving their condition. Those who train to become invasive, non-interventional cardiologists can do similar work with patients but are also eligible to undergo medical tests for arterial blockages. However, non-interventional invasive cardiologists do not perform the procedures performed by interventional cardiologists.


Job responsibilities of a cardiologist:


  • Evaluation of the cardiovascular and cardiac health of patients

  • Explain the results of ECGs and other tests.

  • Refer patients to other specialists

  • Cardiac catheterizations (invasive, interventional non-cardiologists only)


Interventional cardiologist

Interventional cardiologists spend three years completing a fellowship in Interventional Cardiology after graduating from medical school, completing a residency in Internal Medicine, and completing a fellowship in Cardiology. Interventional cardiologists often work in hospitals and can work at any time of the day or night on weekends or weekends. They can treat patients with conditions like heart disease or clogged arteries. Interventional cardiologists need to have good communication and leadership skills so that they can work effectively when performing procedures with other medical professionals. They also benefit from being physically fit and capable because they can stand longer and the procedures often require precision.


Job responsibilities of an interventional cardiologist:


  • Check referrals

  • Explain procedures to patients.

  • Perform procedures such as inserting stents into arteries and repairing valves

  • Follow up with patients after treatment.


Is Interventional Cardiology invasive?

Interventional cardiology often appears invasive but does not require surgery. A small flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the body to repair damaged or weakened blood vessels, narrow arteries, or other parts of the structure.

Benefits of Interventional Cardiology

Increase comfort, reduce problems

Before the advent of transradial cardiac catheterizations and interventions, catheterizations were inserted through the groin to access the arterial system, causing many problems for patients. This treatment, which is still practiced by doctors who are not certified to use interventional cardiology, generates a high level of discomfort in patients. 

This often increases recovery time as patients struggle with the painful consequences of the procedure. Also, due to the nature of the treatment, patients often experience bleeding, bruising, and pseudoanuria at the surgical site along the femoral artery. Problems associated with common catheterizations, such as retroperitoneal hemorrhage, have also been shown to be fatal in some patients. Fortunately, this is not the case in interventional cardiology.

Find the best Interventional Cardiologists in Madhapur Book doctor appointment online with top Interventional Cardiologists, view consultation fees, reviews, Op timings, hospital address Skedoc

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Congenital heart disease symptoms in children

If your child has a congenital heart defect, it means that your baby was born with a problem with the structure of his heart. Some congenital heart defects in children are simple and do not require treatment. Other congenital heart defects in children are more complex and require multiple surgeries over many years. Knowing about your child's congenital heart defect can help you understand the situation and what to expect in the months and years to come. Types of congenital heart disease There are many types of congenital heart disease, and sometimes they are combined. Some common mistakes: Septal defects - there is a hole between the two chambers of the heart (commonly called a "hole in the heart") Correction of the aorta: Here the main large artery in the body called the aorta is narrower than usual. Pulmonary valve stenosis: where the pulmonary valve that controls blood flow from the lower right chamber of the heart to the lungs is narrower than normal. Great Artery Tra...

What is Acute coronary syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome is a term used to describe a variety of conditions associated with a sudden decrease in blood flow to the heart. One of those conditions is heart attack (myocardial infarction), when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue. Although severe coronary syndrome does not cause cell death, decreased blood flow changes the way your heart works and is a sign of an increased risk of heart attack. Acute coronary syndrome often causes severe pain or discomfort in the chest. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and care. The goals of treatment are to improve blood flow, treat problems, and prevent future problems. Acute coronary syndrome is the name given to three types of coronary artery disease associated with a sudden rupture of plaque within the coronary artery: Unstable angina Myocardial infarction or non-EST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) ST-segment elevation Myocardial infarction or heart attack (STEMI). The l...

What is a Heart Attack?

Heart attack means the death of a part of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Blood is usually cut off when a blood clot blocks the artery that supplies the heart muscle. When part of the heart muscle dies, a person experiences chest pain and electrical instability of the heart muscle tissue. Other names Myocardial infarction (MI) Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) Acute coronary syndrome Coronary thrombosis Coronary occlusion Causes When one or more of your coronary arteries become blocked it leads to heart attack. Over time, fatty deposits, including cholesterol, form substances called plaques, which can narrow the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition, called coronary artery disease, causes many heart attacks. During a heart attack, a plaque breaks down and leaks cholesterol and other substances into the bloodstream. Blood clots at the site of the break. If the clot is large, it can block blood flow through the coronary artery, depriving the heart of oxygen and nutrien...