Interventional Procedures
Many heart treatments today may be performed through cardiac catheterization. This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible wand (catheter) into a large vein or artery in your arm or leg. Your doctor advances the catheter to the treatment site (commonly the coronary arteries, carotid arteries, or the heart itself) and uses small instruments to treat the problem. These procedures are performed by specially trained doctors called interventional cardiologists.
Why interventional procedures are performed
If you have a heart condition that requires surgical treatment, you may be a candidate for an interventional procedure instead of open heart surgery.
The most common interventional cardiology procedures include:
- Angiography, injecting dye into an artery to assess narrowing or blockage from cardiovascular disease
- Angioplasty, using a balloon instrument to open a narrowed or blocked artery
- Atherectomy, using a tiny blade to shave plaques from the inside of an artery
- Biopsy, removing a small piece of heart tissue to examine it under a microscope
- Intravascular ultrasound, harmless sound waves to create detailed images of the blood vessels and blood flow
- Radiofrequency ablation, painless radio waves, similar to microwave energy, to destroy cell clusters causing an abnormal heart rhythm
- Stenting, a medical device placed inside an artery to hold it open and promote blood flow, or to support an aneurysm
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an artificial valve inside a defective heart valve
- Valvuloplasty, using a balloon instrument to open a stiffened, narrowed heart valve
What to expect
Interventional procedures typically are performed in a cardiac catheterization lab, either in a hospital or in an outpatient clinic. Instead of general anesthesia, most of these procedures only require a sedative medicine to keep you comfortable. Local anesthetic numbs the catheter insertion site.
You may feel slight stinging or burning in your chest during certain treatments; this is normal. After the procedure, you will need to remain in a recovery area for one or more hours before someone drives you home. If you have an interventional valve procedure, you may need to stay overnight in the hospital.
In most cases, the benefits of having an interventional cardiology procedure outweigh the risks, which include bleeding, heart attack, blood clots, and heart rhythm abnormalities. It’s helpful to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with your doctor.
Recovery after interventional procedures
The significant benefit of interventional procedures involving the heart is their minimally invasive nature. This means you will recover more quickly and with less pain than if you had open heart surgery.
You’ll need to take it easy for a few days after the procedure. Your care team will give you specific instructions on activity restrictions, incision care, and follow-up appointments. Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehabilitation to help you recover and return to an active lifestyle.
