Interventional cardiology is a branch of cardiology that uses a variety of diagnostic methods and imaging techniques to assess cardiovascular functions including blood pressure and blood flow in major arteries in the body and throughout the heart’s multiple chambers.
Interventional cardiology, in particular, is the branch of medicine that detects and treats coronary artery disease, vascular disease, structural heart disease, and congenital heart defects, which general cardiologists are not qualified to do.
If you were to sit and make a list of the best cardiology hospitals in your city, say if you were looking for the best cardiology hospital in Bangalore you will be sure to find at least one interventional cardiologist there. The primary distinction between interventional cardiology and general cardiology is that interventional cardiologists are qualified to conduct specialized catheter-based heart disease treatments, whereas general cardiologists are not.
Interventional cardiologists are qualified to insert stents in clogged arteries to enable blood to circulate freely and minimize the risk of stroke or heart attack, as well as to patch holes in the heart or implant special devices to aid in its work.
Using cutting-edge technology, as well as the most up-to-date procedures and nuanced developments in this area of medicine, such as carotid artery bypass surgery, interventional cardiologists perform delicate, life-saving, and life-enhancing procedures to treat patients with heart failure, valve defects, or structural anomalies, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement and repairs.
Although a cardiologist will track a patient’s general health and follow up on any cardiovascular issues, an interventional cardiologist, as a surgeon and a specialist, is most often a one-time or occasional care provider when their specialized expertise is needed for a procedure.
Types of Processes and Tests Performed by Interventional Cardiologist
Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and interventional cardiologists may perform the following tests, procedures, and surgeries:
- Cardiac Computed Tomography: According to the European Cardiology Society, this examination uses X-ray technology, imaging, and computers to present cross-sectional images of the heart’s anatomy, breathing, and the greater vessels of the cardiovascular system.
- Exercise Stress Examination: A special monitor with electrodes is connected to the patient’s chest skin for this test, which monitors the patient’s heart function when walking on a treadmill. “This test aids in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, as well as the potential causes of symptoms (such as chest pain) and the prediction of any serious heart-related conditions.”
- Echocardiogram: This procedure takes pictures of the heart’s chambers, valves, walls, and blood vessels using high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound). The advanced imaging technique “reveals the size and shape of a patient’s heart, as well as the thickness and movement of the heart walls as it beats.”
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) Test: “When a patient is at a high intensity of exercise, a radioactive agent called thallium is inserted into the bloodstream to capture pictures of the heart’s muscle cells.” This can be used to assess the extent of a coronary artery blockage, the extent of damage caused by a heart attack, and the cause of a heart attack.
Who Should See an Interventional Cardiologist?
Many symptoms and risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, can be treated and managed by your primary care physician. Besides you can also see the best cardiology hospital in Bangalore (or your city) for more clarity. If your primary care doctor discovers or suspects a severe heart or blood vessel problem, such as blockade, you might be referred to an interventional cardiologist.