Interventional Cardiology

Types of Cardiac Conditions

There are six different types of cardiac conditions which go as follows:

1. Coronary Heart Disease: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a gradual build-up of fatty substances (atheroma) clogging in Coronary arteries (the arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood) and reducing the flow of blood to the heart which is conditioned as atherosclerosis.

2. Heart Valve Disease: Heart Valve Disease (HVD) is involving one or more of the four valves (the aortic and mitral valves on the left and the pulmonary and tricuspid valves on the right) not working properly along with improper blood flow of the heart.

3. Congenital Heart Disease: Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a problem in the structure of the heart from birth. Signs and Symptoms vary from none to life-threatening.

4. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disease in which the heart muscle (Myocardium) becomes abnormally thick (Hypertrophied) and makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.

5. Heart Arrhythmias: Heart Arrhythmias is specifically an Irregular Heartbeat, during an arrhythmia the heartbeat can be too fast (Tachycardia) and too slow (bradycardia).

6. Peripheral Vascular Disease: Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is the reduced circulation of blood mainly caused by (atherosclerosis) build-up of fatty deposits that narrow a blood vessel.

If you are suffering from any of the above types of cardiac conditions, kindly send us your medical report for a FREE Custom Treatment Plan.

Interventional Cardiology Procedure:

The purpose of the interventional cardiology procedure is to diagnose a cardiac condition that avoids the need for open surgery. Interventional cardiology can be performed during or after a diagnostic cardiac catheterization has confirmed the presence of coronary artery disease. The procedures are initially performed by placing a catheter through blood vessels into the heart or the area being diagnosed. The Various Procedures of Interventional Cardiology are as follows:

I – Angiogram/Angiography

The first procedure is the angiogram (also known as ‘angiography’). This is an imaging test through an x-ray where dye is released from a catheter tip into blood vessels to diagnose the coronary artery.

Outcome of Procedure

• Reduces the risk of Stroke.
• Improves the functioning of the kidney.
• Eliminates the need for amputation.
• Restores blood flow to the legs to prevent gangrene.
• Immediate relief and reduces symptoms.

Recovery Time

• Depending on the complexity of the investigation, it takes about 2.5 hours.
• Following angiogram/angiography, you’ll be taken to a recovery ward and asked to lie still for a few hours, to prevent bleeding at the site of the incision.
• 8 to 12 hours are needed before resuming normal activities.
• An overnight stay for observation may be necessary.
• Avoid taking a bath in a day or two to keep the wound dry as possible.
• Do not drive for a minimum of 3 days.
• Avoid playing sports, or lifting anything heavy for about 2 Days.

Cost of Procedure

The price for an angiogram or angiography is around USD 250 to 400

II – Valvuloplasty

Valvuloplasty is the dilation/widening of a narrow cardiac valve usually performed on mitral, aortic, or pulmonary.

Outcome of Procedure

• Valvuloplasty bridges the time gap between before the heart valve replacement surgery.
• The mortality rate of the valvuloplasty procedure is extremely Low.

Recovery Time 

• Following valvuloplasty, you will be sent to the recovery room where your vital signs will be monitored.
• ECG will be performed to monitor your heart’s activity.
• If experienced pain, pain medication will be given.
• Hospital stay depending on your general condition may last from 1 – 3 days.

Cost of Procedure

Price is around – USD 3500 for a single valve and USD 4500 for a double valve.

III – Atherectomy

Atherectomy involves inserting a catheter with a small rotary shaver at its tip into the artery which is performed under local anaesthesia to remove plaque from the blood vessels.

Outcome of Procedure

• Atherectomy usually provides good relief of symptoms of atherosclerosis.
• Eliminates the build-up of plaque in your arteries.
• The advantage of preventing the artery from narrowing again.

Recovery Time

• The atherectomy procedure takes 2 Hours wherein the patient can start walking within 12 to 24 Hours.
• After several days, you can usually begin with normal non-straining activities like driving.
• In case of a complicated procedure, the hospital stay will last between 1 to 2 days.

Cost of Procedure

The price of atherectomy ranges from USD 3500 to 6000/-

IV – Angioplasty

Not to be confused with angiography, the angioplasty procedure is used to open blockages in the coronary arteries and restore blood flow by inflating a tiny balloon.

Outcome of Procedure

• Widened narrow blood vessels.
• Increase the flow of blood to the heart.
• Decreases the risk of a heart attack.
• Reduces the symptoms of angina.
• Slows the process of coronary artery disease.

Recovery Time

• Overnight stay for observation.
• You will be able to walk with the help of assistance within 4 – 6 hours.
• Careful intake of prescribed medication by your doctor.
• For 2-week non-straining exercises.
• Be sure to drink 8 – 10 glasses of clear fluids (water is preferred).
• While taking a shower, keep the surgical area clean and dry.
• Do not use creams, lotions, or ointment on the wound site.
• Wear loose clothes.
• For 3 to 4 days to prevent bleeding from the catheter insertion site do not strain during bowel movements.

Cost of Procedure

The cost of angioplasty may vary according to Hospital Standards and different stent choices. A USA FDA-approved stent along with an angioplasty procedure will cost around USD 3500 to 5000 depending on the patient’s cardiac condition and vitals.

V – Intravascular Ultrasound

Intravascular Ultrasound imaging (IVUS) is the detail of the spread of plaque inside the artery wall that is identified by a small ultrasound probe inserted through the catheter in blood vessels. IVUS shows the cross-section of both the interior and the layers of the artery wall itself.

Outcome of Procedure

• Provides detailed information inside the blood vessels.
• Determine the need for further treatment (angioplasty or bypass surgery)
• Determine the need for risk factors prior to the onset of symptoms and advanced disease.
• Determine the predictors of transplant coronary artery disease.

Recovery Time

• If IVUS was done during Angioplasty, Hospital stay would be around 12 – 24 hours.
• Hospital stays for 3 – 6 hours.
• Avoid strenuous lifting to prevent bleeding at the catheter insertion site.
• Regular intake of prescribed medication to prevent blood clots.

VI – Right/Left Catheterization

Catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing heart or valve problems by measuring the pressure of blood flow within a heart chamber through the catheter and visual X-ray. Testing the right side of the heart allows the physician to evaluate cardiac output, left ventricle filling pressure, Pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and Pulmonary hypertension while the left side of the heart is performed to test the blood flow and functioning of a left ventricle.

Outcome of Procedure

• The heart’s size, motion, thickness, pressure, and arteries appear to be normal.
• Left heart catheterization is used to access left Ventricular functioning, Outflow tract obstruction. Valve disease, Coronary artery disease.
• Right heart catheterization is used to access the measurement of right heart oxygen saturation and cardiac output, and assessment of pulmonary hypertension.

Recovery Time

• Hospital stays for up to 24 Hours.
• For several days avoid vigorous exercises or heavy lifting.

VII – Radical Artery Access

Then comes radical artery access. The transradical artery approach is a minimally invasive procedure of gentler access route by inserting the catheter through the wrist (radical) artery rather than the groin area (femoral artery).

Outcome of Procedure

• Reduced risk of bleeding and damage to blood vessels
• Less risk of nerve injury
• The lower rate of complications
• Faster recovery
• No need for a stay in the hospital, an immediate move around for patients after their procedure.
• In this procedure, patients have less bruising where the needle is inserted.

Recovery Time

• Patients who undergo this procedure can stand up and walk around immediately after the procedure.

VIII – Congenital Heart Defect Correction

Last but certainly not least is congenital heart defect correction. ‘Congenital’ means inborn or existing at birth. Correcting atrial septal, and ventricular septal defects, closure of patent ductus arteries, and angioplasty of greater vessels.

Outcome of Procedure

• Contraction of the heart muscle stronger.
• Allows the heart to pump against less resistance.
• Prevents the heart from developing abnormal, rapid rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias).

Recovery Time

• In the case of open heart surgery, 4 to 6 hours.
• In the case of minimally invasive surgery, faster recovery is expected.
• After the treatment, growth and weight gain often improve.
• Intake of medication as prescribed.

Cost of Procedure

In India, it will cost around USD 3000 depending on the required correction and implant if any required.