Interventional Cardiology

TAVR replaces a diseased aortic valve through a catheter rather than open-heart surgery, offering a less invasive treatment option for patients. It is commonly performed for aortic stenosis, helping improve blood flow across the valve and relieve symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

TMVR allows for the replacement of a damaged mitral valve using minimally invasive catheter-based techniques. It is often used in cases of mitral regurgitation or mitral stenosis, restoring efficient blood flow between the heart’s chambers and improving exercise tolerance and overall heart function.

The Valve-in-Valve and Valve-in-Ring procedures are advanced transcatheter mitral valve replacement techniques used to treat failing surgical bioprosthetic or repaired valves. Over time, previously implanted valves may degenerate, narrow, or begin to leak, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, or heart failure. Using a catheter-based approach, a new valve is precisely positioned within the existing one, restoring normal blood flow and valve function. This minimally invasive procedure avoids repeat open-heart surgery and offers a faster, safer recovery for high-risk patients.

Balloon valvuloplasty widens the narrowed mitral valves caused by rheumatic heart disease or mitral stenosis. The procedure improves blood flow and alleviates symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.

These systems are advanced transcatheter devices used to treat mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, where blood leaks backward through the valve each time the heart beats. It also includes the MitraClip. These devices work by grasping and bringing the valve leaflets closer together, improving closure and reducing leakage. The procedure is performed through a small incision in the groin, without open-heart surgery. It offers a safe and effective solution for patients with complex valve anatomy or those who are high-risk surgical candidates.

The TTVR EVOQUE system offers a minimally invasive, catheter-based option for replacing a severely regurgitant tricuspid valve, which can no longer close properly. This condition often leads to fluid buildup, leg swelling, liver congestion, and fatigue. By implanting a new valve through a small incision, TTVR restores proper blood flow between the heart chambers, reduces symptoms, and improves overall circulation and quality of life without the need for open-heart surgery.

ASD closure seals abnormal openings between the upper chambers of the heart to prevent oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood from mixing. The procedure is usually performed using a catheter-based technique, where a small closure device is guided through a vein and placed across the defect. Once in position, it seals the opening and allows heart tissue to grow around it.

PFO closure corrects a small flap-like opening between the heart’s upper chambers that can allow clots to pass through and cause a stroke. The procedure is performed through a minimally invasive catheter, inserting a disc-shaped implant to close the passage permanently.

VSD closure repairs openings between the heart’s lower chambers that can lead to heart enlargement or heart failure if untreated. The repair is typically done using a catheter-delivered closure device or, in select cases, surgical patch repair, depending on the defect’s size and location.

PVL closure treats leaks that can develop around previously implanted prosthetic heart valves, leading to heart failure or hemolytic anemia. The procedure is guided by real-time imaging, such as echocardiography or a CT scan. A specialized occluder device is delivered through a catheter to seal the leak and restore normal valve function, reducing symptoms and the need for repeat surgery.

The left atrial appendage is a small pouch in the upper chamber of the heart where blood clots can form in patients with atrial fibrillation. These clots may travel through the bloodstream and cause a stroke. This includes the Watchman and Amulet techniques. The procedure is particularly beneficial for patients who cannot take long-term blood thinners due to bleeding risks or other medical conditions, providing lasting protection with minimal recovery time.

Rotational atherectomy uses a diamond-tipped rotating burr to gently remove hardened plaque from artery walls. It restores blood flow in patients with calcified coronary artery disease, improving outcomes and making stent deployment easier.

Laser atherectomy employs pulses of ultraviolet light to vaporize plaque and thrombus inside blocked arteries. It is effective for in-stent restenosis or chronic total occlusions, offering precision while minimizing vessel injury.

Intravascular lithotripsy delivers sonic pressure waves within the artery to break up deep calcium deposits, similar to how kidney stones are treated. It improves the flexibility of the artery wall and helps achieve optimal stent expansion and long-term vessel patency.

Intravascular ultrasound provides high-resolution images of the inside of blood vessels to evaluate plaque buildup and arterial wall condition. It is often used in patients with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease during interventional procedures to optimize stent placement and ensure proper vessel expansion.

Optical coherence tomography uses near-infrared light to capture detailed images of coronary arteries, offering greater precision than traditional imaging. It is particularly beneficial in evaluating acute coronary syndrome or atherosclerosis, helping guide safe and accurate stent deployment.

Instantaneous wave-free ratio measures blood pressure differences across coronary arteries to determine the severity of blockages or stenosis without cardiac stress medications such as adenosine.

The Impella is a small mechanical pump inserted through a catheter into the left ventricle. It temporarily assists the heart’s pumping function in patients with cardiogenic shock or during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions, supporting circulation and oxygen delivery throughout the body.

Percutaneous coronary intervention, or angioplasty, uses catheters to open narrowed arteries and restore blood flow. It is commonly performed in patients with coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction, often involving stent placement for long-term vessel patency.

Diagnostic coronary angiography involves injecting contrast dye into the coronary arteries to visualize blockages. It remains the gold standard for evaluating coronary artery disease and helps guide treatment decisions for angina or heart attack management.

The IABP is a thin balloon-tipped catheter placed in the aorta that inflates and deflates with each heartbeat. The balloon inflates during the heart’s relaxation phase, helping direct blood back into the coronary arteries, which may otherwise receive reduced flow. As the heart contracts, the balloon deflates, easing the workload on the heart and improving circulation.