Interventional Cardiology Services

Interventional cardiology is a cardiac specialty that provides catheter-based, less-invasive diagnosis and treatment of various heart diseases.

Each year, UPMC cardiologists perform thousands of catheter-based coronary interventional procedures.

UPMC serves as a regional referral center, offering immediate, 24/7 access to experienced interventional cardiologists. And for patients who need additional care, UPMC offers the full spectrum of cardiovascular surgical services.

What Is Interventional Cardiology?

Interventional cardiology is a cardiac specialty that uses catheter-based, less-invasive techniques to diagnose and treat heart disease.

What conditions do you treat?

Interventional cardiologists treat a range of cardiac conditions, including:

• Heart valve disease.
• Chest pain (angina).
• Coronary artery disease.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Heart failure.
• Heart attack.
• Cardiomyopathy.
• Congenital heart conditions.
• Abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (A-Fib).

Who can benefit from interventional cardiology care?

People with emergency and non-emergency cardiac conditions can benefit from interventional cardiology care. In addition to delivering high success rates, interventional cardiology offers benefits including:

• Less pain and scarring. Interventional cardiology is less invasive compared to traditional surgery. Normally, the procedure requires a single, tiny incision to insert the catheter. It only takes about 30 minutes to complete most procedures.
• Faster recovery. Recovery time is shorter when compared to other surgical procedures. Some people can go home on the same day as their procedure. Others have a shorter hospital stay when compared to traditional open procedures.
• Decreases the risk of heart attack. Interventional cardiology relieves symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath. It also opens the arteries and restores blood flow, reducing the risk of heart attack.
• Ideal for infants and children. Cardiologists recommend interventional cardiology, particularly balloon valvuloplasty, for infants and children. The procedure is minimally invasive, less painful, and highly effective.
• Less expensive. Interventional cardiology is affordable compared to traditional heart surgery procedures.

What is the difference between cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology?

Interventional cardiology procedures use catheters, which are threaded through a small incision into your blood vessel and guided to your heart. Cardiac surgery is an open procedure performed through a larger incision in your chest to allow direct access to your heart.

What Interventional Cardiology Services Do You Offer?

UPMC offers 24/7 access to interventional cardiologists who provide advanced services including:

Emergency cardiac catheterization

Emergency cardiac catheterization saves lives. When a patient is admitted with signs of a heart attack, the Emergency Department immediately activates a special process called Code STEMI. This notifies the cardiac catheterization team, the on-call cardiologist, and the Cardiac Care Unit to expect a patient and prepare to begin treatment.

Patients are then taken to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, where the team can perform an angioplasty. Angioplasty is a procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin. It is then guided through the artery to the site of the blockage. After the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated to remove the blockage causing the heart attack and restore normal blood flow. A stent may also be placed at this time if the physician feels that it is necessary to keep the artery from closing again.

Non-emergency cardiac catheterization

The most common interventional cardiology procedure is called catheterization. It involves inserting a sheath into your groin or wrist artery. Your doctor will then pass a catheter to your heart to open your blocked artery with balloon (angioplasty). Your doctor may also place a metal sleeve called a stent to prop open the artery.

Our doctors can also open artery blockages other than in the heart, including in the neck, kidney, and legs, without the need for surgery.

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is also a commonly used diagnostic procedure. This procedure involves threading a small catheter—a long, thin, flexible, hollow tube—through a vein or artery in the groin. A technician injects dye into the catheter and takes moving x-ray pictures, or angiograms, of the dye as it travels to the heart.

Advanced interventional procedures

UPMC offers the full spectrum of advanced interventional therapies:

• Transradial (through the wrist area) cardiac catheterization program. Our transradial cardiac catheterization program provides qualified patients with the option of having their cardiac catheterization incision in their wrist instead of their groin. Transradial incisions offer a lower risk of complications, faster recovery, and increased comfort.
• Vascular services. Our vascular surgeons provide expert care for people who need arterial and venous disease management.
• Closure of heart wall defects. Our doctors treat atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and patent foramen ovale (PFO).
• Left atrial appendage closure. We perform minimally invasive left atrial appendage closure procedures using the Watchman device to reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib).
• Heart valve repair and replacement. We perform a high volume of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitraClip, and balloon valvuloplasty procedures. These treatments provide a minimally invasive option for people who can’t have open surgery.

What is the most common procedure performed by interventional cardiologists?

Cardiac catheterization is the most common procedure performed by interventional cardiologists.

What Can I Expect From Interventional Cardiology?

Our team of interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other experts will create a comprehensive plan to manage your condition and reduce your risk of complications.

Before your visit

To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:

• Name, address, and contact phone number.
• Insurance information.
• Relevant medical records and test results.
• A referral, if required by your health insurance company.

If you get a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.

During your visit

When you arrive for your first appointment, you'll meet with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. He or she will ask about your medical history and perform an exam.

We'll give you a:

• A complete explanation of your condition and treatment.
• A tailored patient education packet for you to take home.

Your health care provider will explain your treatment options based on how long you've had symptoms, your condition, and your health history.

Together, you will design and agree on a care plan.

Your care team may also:

• Order tests to learn more about your condition.
• Schedule a procedure in the hospital.

After your interventional procedure

Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to check if your treatment has been effective. You should contact our office if:

• You have questions about your treatment plan or medications.
• Your symptoms get worse or do not improve as expected.
• You have any other concerns about your condition.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.