Track 4: Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardiology is a specialized branch of cardiology that focuses on using minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart conditions. This field involves the use of catheter-based techniques to treat issues related to the heart and blood vessels, typically without the need for open surgery.

Some key procedures performed in interventional cardiology include:

• Angioplasty: A procedure to open blocked or narrowed arteries, often using a balloon catheter.
• Stent Placement: Inserting a small mesh tube (stent) into a narrowed artery to keep it open.
• Coronary Angiography: A diagnostic procedure to visualize the inside of coronary arteries and detect blockages.
• Atherectomy: Removing plaque from arteries that may be causing blockages.
• Heart Valve Interventions: Repairing or replacing heart valves using minimally invasive techniques.
• Peripheral Artery Interventions: Treating blockages in arteries outside of the heart, often in the legs or other peripheral vessels.

Interventional cardiologists use these techniques to treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and certain types of arrhythmias, with the goal of improving blood flow and reducing the need for more invasive surgeries.