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Interventional Testing

Diagnostic Catheterization

Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is the process of introducing catheters, hollow plastic tubes 2 to 3 mm in diameter, into veins and/or arteries in the leg, or arm, from where they are advanced to the right and/or left sides of the heart. Once the catheters are positioned in the various heart chambers or blood vessels, the pressure of the blood in various chambers of the heart can be measured, blood samples can be taken, and dye (radiographic contrast material) can be injected to allow x-ray visualization, a process called angiography. Unlike bones, which are easily seen on an x-ray, the heart and blood vessels cannot be visualized by x-ray unless they are filled with contrast dye.

Angioplasty
Heart attacks. also known as myocardial infarctions, occur when a coronary artery suddenly becomes partially or completely blocked by a blood clot, restricting the flow of blood to the heart.

Angioplasty is a procedure performed to unblock arteries that carry blood to the heart in which a catheter with a deflated balloon on it is passed through the narrowed artery segment. The balloon is then inflated and the narrowed segment widened. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed. This may be done with the addition of a stent, which will stay in place in the artery once the balloon is deflated and the catheter is removed.

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  This photo shows total blockage of the Right Coronary Artery, very close to the top. The lack of blood flow which carries oxygen to the heart muscle is causing chest discomfort and is clear this patient is having a heart attack.

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  This is showing the inflation of a balloon at the area of the blockage also referred to as Angioplasty. The balloon will inflate to open the blocked artery and allow blood to flow freely to the heart again.

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  The angioplasty has been completed. This is the complete re-establishment of blood and oxygen flowing through the artery to the heart.

Permanent Pacemaker Insertion
A permanent pacemaker is a self-contained device that is surgically implanted in a pocket under the patient's skin at the chest. One or two wires are placed in the vein at the top of the chest. Pacemakers allow the patient's heart to beat on its own but keep the heartbeat from falling below a preset rate. After the procedure, the patient is to stay in the hospital overnight. When going home, it's best to wear a button up shirt because the patient will have limited movement of the arm on the side the pacemaker was planted until the staples are removed. Your physician will discuss with you further about the amount of movement that is allowed.

Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) Insertion
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator is used in patients at risk for sustained elevated heart rate.
The device is connected to leads positioned inside the heart or on its surface. These leads are used to deliver electrical shocks, sense the cardiac rhythm and sometimes pace the heart, as needed. The leads are connected to a generator, typically a little larger than a wallet and have electronics that automatically monitor and treat heart rhythms recognized as abnormal. Newer devices are smaller and have simpler lead systems. They can be installed through blood vessels, eliminating the need for open chest surgery. After the procedure the patient is to stay in the hospital overnight.

ICD Testing
ICD testing is when your heart is put into an abnormal rhythm and the device shocks the heart to put it back into a normal rhythm.