LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEMWhat is interventional cardiology?
Interventional cardiology uses nonsurgical catheter-based treatment techniques to remove coronary artery blockages, stop heart attacks, correct valvular heart disease, and treat peripheral vascular and aortic vascular problems. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel near the groin; X-ray technology is then used to guide the catheter to the area of blockages. Angioplasty and/or stenting may be performed to increase blood flow to the heart..
The advantages of catheter-based treatments include avoidance of scars, minimal discomfort, shorter recovery time after the procedure and overall lower risk due to a minimally invasive approach but with the same benefits as surgical treatment.
Interventional cardiology procedures can be performed under local anesthesia in a cardiac catheterization lab or in a hybrid operating room, which combines the advanced X-ray (angiography) technology of the cardiac catheterization lab with the operating room environment into one functional unit. Most interventional cardiac procedures are done on an outpatient basis.
Loyola interventional cardiologists are able to draw on a range of diagnostic tools, including catheter-based testing, comprehensive hemodynamic evaluation, minimally invasive cardiovascular imaging and some more complicated testing procedures, like a transseptal cardiac catheterization.
The Loyola difference
Loyola is a nationally recognized leader in cardiac care. U.S. News & World Report ranked us 18th in the nation for cardiology and heart surgery in 2012, making this our 10th year in the top 50.
Learn more about our performance outcomes.
For more information
Call (708) 216-4720 to speak with an interventional cardiology representative.
