Interventional cardiologists are cardiologists who have completed additional training to diagnose and treat a number of cardiovascular and congenital diseases. They are experts in performing minimally invasive procedures with catheter-based technology to treat various heart diseases such as arterial disease, vascular disease, structural heart disease and congenital diseases. They perform non-surgical procedures that take place in a Cath lab rather than in an operating room.

Interventional cardiologists also specialize in a variety of imaging procedures to measure heart functions, such as blood flow in major arteries. Unlike general cardiologists, interventional cardiologists use advanced technology to perform life saving procedures to treat patients with heart diseases. There are many hospitals with a team of best Interventional Cardiologists in Amritsar who can treat any type of heart disorder without surgery.

What conditions do they treat?

Interventional cardiologists treat a wide range of heart, congenital and structural heart diseases. Traditional cardiology expertise covers a wide range of cardiovascular disorders, treatments, and diagnostic procedures. Some of the most common of them are,

• Angina. Angina or chest pain is a common side effect of cardiac problems. This usually occurs when there is reduced blood flow to the heart due to any blockage of coronary artery diseases. Sometimes it may feel like there is some kind of heavy weight on your chest.
• Arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a heartbeat problem that causes abnormal heartbeats that are either too fast or too slow or not in the proper rhythm. Arrhythmias can also lead to cardiac arrest or a heart attack that can put your life at risk.
• Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a muscle disorder that causes weakness of the heart muscle making it difficult for the heart to pump blood and causing chest pain. Cardiomyopathy can also lead to heart failure which can be life-threatening.
• Heart valve disorder. Our heart has four chambers and each chamber has a valve which allows the flow to flow in the right direction. However, when one or more valves don’t work properly, it can obstruct blood flow and put your life at risk. It is usually a congenital problem but can also occur in older people. Sometimes, surgery is the only option to treat valve disorders.
• Myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease that causes inflammation of the heart making it very difficult for the heart to pump blood to other parts of the body. It is a congenital disease but it can affect older people as well. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and even a heart attack.
• Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO).It is a hole in the heart that has not yet closed the way it should have closed after birth. As the baby grows in the womb, the foramen ovale exists between the right and left top chambers of the heart. The small flap-like opening is between the right and left upper chambers of the heart. This can obstruct blood flow and lead to life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest.

What treatment procedures do they use?

 Interventional cardiologists use a variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures to treat a variety of heart problems. They do not perform traditional open heart surgery, they use advanced technology non-surgical procedures to diagnose and treat their patients. Some common traditional treatment procedures include,

 

• Angioplasty. Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure in which balloon-like instruments or stents are used to open blocked blood vessels and restore normal blood flow. This procedure is most commonly used for coronary artery diseases.
• Cardiac catheterization. This is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates the presence, size, and location of plaque in the arteries. In this procedure, interventional cardiologists insert a catheter directed toward the heart in the wrist or leg to locate a blockage caused by a plaque.
• Patent Foramen Ovale Closure. It is a catheter based procedure used to close the hole in the heart which is a congenital disorder. In this procedure a catheter is inserted into a large vein in the part of the heart where the hole is detected. Then a PFO closure device is placed through the vein near the hole which stays there permanently and stops the abnormal blood flow. Several imaging procedures are also used to locate the position of the catheter and PFO closure device.
• Endovascular Thrombectomy. This is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove a blood clot that is blocking an artery. Endovascular thrombectomy may also be used to treat certain strokes and other conditions.

There are many other traditional procedures that are used to treat a wide variety of conditions. Interventional Cardiology has many sub-specialties, but some of the best Interventional Cardiologists in Amritsar specialize in almost every type of cardiac problem.