Interventional cardiology is a specialised field within cardiology focused on diagnosing and treating various heart conditions using minimally invasive techniques. These procedures often involve catheters and specialised tools guided by imaging technologies. The utilisation of these advanced tools allows for quicker recovery times, reduced pain, and improved outcomes for patients with heart problems, making it a crucial component of modern cardiac care.
Diagnostic tests play a critical role in planning interventional cardiology procedures, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatments. The two main types of diagnostic tests for interventional cardiology include:
These tests provide detailed images of the heart and blood vessels, aiding in the visualisation of blockages, abnormalities, and structural issues.
These tests assess how the heart functions under different conditions, helping determine its efficiency, stress tolerance, and overall performance.
Interventional cardiology involves procedures that are less invasive than traditional surgery. For example, doctors can replace heart valves, treat certain heart defects, and fix problems with the aorta (the main artery connected to the heart) using small incisions instead of taking the traditional open-heart surgery route. These methods often mean shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries for patients.
Interventional cardiology can treat various heart-related conditions, including:
Addressed through procedures like angioplasty and stent placement.
Treated with techniques like TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) and MitraClip.
Procedures like ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) closure and PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) closure.
Repair using endovascular stent grafts.
Corrected through various interventions.
These procedures aim to improve blood flow, repair or replace heart structures, and treat other heart conditions, ultimately enhancing overall heart health.