Interventional cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology that involves the use of minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases. Interventional cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in using these procedures to diagnose and treat heart conditions.
The primary job of an interventional cardiologist is to perform procedures to diagnose and treat heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, and structural abnormalities of the heart. These procedures may be performed using a catheter, a thin tube that is inserted into the body through a small incision, or through a small opening in the skin.
Interventional cardiologists use a variety of equipment during their procedures, including:
- Catheters: As mentioned above, catheters are thin tubes that are inserted into the body through a small incision or opening in the skin. They are used to access the blood vessels and other structures in the body for diagnosis and treatment.
- Guiding wires: These are thin, flexible wires that are used to guide catheters through the body to the treatment site.
- Balloons: Interventional cardiologists may use balloons to widen narrowed blood vessels or to repair heart valves.
- Stents: Stents are small, metal mesh tubes that are inserted into the blood vessels to keep them open and improve blood flow.
- Angiography equipment: This includes X-ray machines and special contrast dyes that are used to create images of the blood vessels and heart.
- Electrophysiology equipment: This includes specialized equipment used to study and treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Overall, interventional cardiology is a specialized field that requires extensive training and expertise. Interventional cardiologists use a variety of equipment and techniques to diagnose and treat heart conditions in a minimally invasive manner, helping to improve the quality of life for their patients.