What Is Interventional Cardiology? A Breakdown of Procedures

 

Interventional cardiology is a special area that focuses on treating heart problems using thin tubes called catheters instead of traditional surgery. In this branch of Dubai cardiology, doctors use small tools and imaging techniques to reach the heart through blood vessels, often through the wrist or groin. This method helps treat many heart conditions in a less invasive way, which often means a quicker and easier recovery for patients.

How It Works:

Doctors use imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound, to guide the catheter to the heart. Once it’s in place, they can open up blocked arteries, fix heart defects, or place small devices like stents. The procedures are usually done in a special room called a catheterization lab. Patients are awake during the procedure but may be given medicine to help them relax.

Common Procedures in Interventional Cardiology:

One of the most well-known procedures is angioplasty. This is when a doctor opens a narrowed or blocked artery using a small balloon at the tip of the catheter. Once the artery is open, a stent, which is a small metal mesh tube, may be placed to keep it open. This helps improve blood flow and reduce chest pain or the chance of a heart attack.

Another common procedure is the placement of a stent in the heart or other blood vessels. Stents help keep the vessel open and support its walls. In some cases, stents are coated with medicine that slowly releases to prevent the vessel from narrowing again.

Doctors can also fix holes in the heart or repair heart valves using catheter-based techniques. This can help people who may not be healthy enough for open-heart surgery. These methods offer a safer way to improve heart function and reduce symptoms.

Benefits and Recovery:

Because these procedures don’t involve large cuts or opening the chest, most people feel better quickly. Hospital stays are often shorter, and people can get back to their normal lives sooner. There may still be some soreness or bruising at the site where the catheter was placed, but it’s usually mild and goes away in a few days.

Interventional cardiology offers a way to treat heart conditions with less strain on the body. With the help of small tools and careful guidance, doctors can improve blood flow, fix defects, and help the heart work better without traditional surgery.

By Natasha