Interventional cardiology deals specifically with the catheter-based treatment of heart diseases. Interventional cardiologists are board-certified cardiologists who perform interventional cardiology procedures, most often in a cardiac catheterization lab at a hospital.
The majority of interventional cardiology procedures are performed in the cardiovascular (heart, veins and arteries) system. Most interventional cardiology procedures are considered to be minimally invasive because they do not require an instrument to enter the body or large incisions -- most incisions are approximately 1 inch. These procedures usually involve the insertion of a catheter (hollow tube) into the femoral artery in the upper leg. The catheter is guided toward the heart or vascular area through the use of real-time X-ray.
Some of the advantages of minimally invasive interventional cardiology are decreased pain, less risk of infection, avoidance of large scars and shorter postoperative recovery times. In many instances, patients are awake during the procedure, requiring only a local anesthetic. Additionally, many procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to go home within hours of the procedure.
Invasive Cardiovascular Services
Artificial Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Placement (AICD or ICD) - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator can control abnormal, life-threatening heart rhythms and prevent cardiac arrest.
Balloon Angioplasty - A procedure in which a catheter equipped with a tiny balloon at the tip is inserted into an artery that has been narrowed by the accumulation of fatty deposits. The balloon is then inflated to clear the blockage and widen the artery.
Cardiac Catheterization - Pressure monitoring and imaging with contrast through a special catheter inserted through a blood vessel in the arm or leg to determine heart anatomy, function, and to diagnose & treat cardiovascular disease.Radiocontrast dye using x-ray and fluoroscopy visualize the position and condition of the heart chambers and arteries.
Cardiac and Peripheral Angioplasty - Mechanical procedures that open narrowed or clogged coronary arteries of the heart and other blood vessels.
Cardiac and Peripheral Stent Placement - Implantation of a small metal coil (stent) in the clogged heart or peripheral artery to help prop it open and decrease the chance of it narrowing again. The stent used may be bare metal or drug-eluting stent.
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) - A guide wire-based procedure that can accurately measure blood pressure and flow through a specific part of the coronary artery. FFR is done through a standard diagnostic catheter at the time of a coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterization). The measurement of Fractional Flow Reserve has been shown useful in assessing whether or not to perform angioplasty or stenting on "intermediate" blockages.Interventional Cardiology - Medical specialty that deals with the treatment of structural heart diseases identified during angiography using modalities such as balloon, bare metal or drug-eluting stent placement
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) Examination - Imaging visualization of the inside of blood vessels using special catheters attached to computerized ultrasound equipment.
Pacemaker Placement and Management - A pacemaker is a small electrical device inserted under the skin to help regulate heat beats and managed through periodic check ups.
Non-invasive cardiologists provide expertise in the detection and treatment of heart disease. Non-invasive cardiology involves tests to evaluate and diagnose disorders of the heart. A person with a history of heart disease, chest pain with unknown cause or valvular heart disease may be referred for non-invasive evaluation, including:
Cardiac Stress Testing - Electrocardiographic (EKG) examination of the heart at rest and at various levels of exercise. May reveal abnormalities of the blood supply to the heart muscle and/or abnormalities of the heart rhythm not seen at rest. May be performed on a treadmill or an IV drug may be administered to simulate the heart at exercise. Often performed in conjunction with Nuclear Cardiology or the Stress Echo.
Cardioversion - A procedure used to convert an irregular heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm by applying electric shock or using certain medications.
Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography - (64 slice CCTA) is a new, state-of-the-art, non-invasive, diagnostic tool that visualizes the myocardium (heart), aorta, lungs and coronary circulation and may dramatically alter the way cardiac and vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), dissections and aneurysms of the aorta, and atrial fibrillation are diagnosed, evaluated and treated.
Doppler Study - A diagnostic study using special tool that detects the presence or absence of flow in blood vessels through the skin.
ECG or EKG - Electrocardiogram - A test that records the electrical activity of the heart muscle and rhythm, usually done while the patient is lying down at rest.
Echocardiogram - Use of high frequency sound waves to visualize continuous blood and heart movements.
Event Monitoring - A small recording device, worn for up to 30 days while the patient performs their normal daily activities. When the patient experiences a symptom (or "event") that might be heart related, the patient activates a memory record button on the device. Then the device will typically store the heart rhythm that occurred 45 seconds before and 15 seconds after the record button press. The device's memory is then downloaded for the physician to examine.
Head Up Tilt Table (HUTT) Test - Test performed on a table that "tilts" the patient from a supine to standing position for various periods of time. Ordered by the physician to determine if near syncopal/syncopal (fainting) episodes might be related to cardiovascular causes.
Holter Monitoring - A small device, worn by the patient while the patient performs their normal daily activities. The device provides continuous recording of the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours or more to determine abnormalities.
Nuclear Cardiology/Nuclear Stress Testing - Imaging of the heart at work (exercise) and at rest using injection of a harmless radioactive tracer(dye) and a gamma camera that produces comparative pictures of the blood supply to the heart muscle at work and at rest. May be performed on a treadmill or an IV drug may be administered to simulate the heart at exercise.
Stress Echocardiography - High frequency sound wave image of the moving heart, done at rest, followed by imaging after exercise on a treadmill or after an IV drug has been administered to simulate the heart at exercise.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) - A diagnostic test, using a special probe placed within the esophagus, that employs ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures.
Cardiology services of Hannibal Regional Medical Group are located on the first floor of the Hannibal Regional Medical Building.
In addition, Dr. Pervez Alvi sees patients at the Monroe City Family Practice on the first and third Thursdays of each month and Canton/LaGrange Family Practice on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
Dr. Mark Shima sees patients at the Shelbina Family Practice.
To make an appointment, please call 573-629-3300.
The Simple 7
The Simple 7 was designed by the American Heart Association with the goal of educating the public on how to best live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two today!
Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of all Americans? In fact, someone dies from CVD every 38 seconds! Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.
You can help. When you join Heart Walk, you join more than a million people in 300+ cities across America in taking a stand against heart disease and helping save lives!
The 2012 Heart Walk will be held Saturday, September 22 on the Hannibal Regional Medical Campus. Fill out the form below to register. We look forward to seeing you!