Treating Coronary Artery Disease: Nonsurgical Alternatives
If coronary artery disease is found, there are many types of non-surgical treatments available. We offer four cardiac catheterization labs where more than 6,000 catherizations are performed annually, often on an outpatient basis.
Cardiac catheterization is a safe and precise diagnostic test that is used to view the arteries of the heart. The physician inserts a tubular device called a catheter in key places in the heart and surrounding vessels using x-ray equipment. A computer is used to analyze pressure readings in the four chambers of the heart and the function of the valves and walls of the heart. A special dye is injected in and through the catheter to enable the cardiologist to view the heart on x-ray. Pictures are enhanced by computer to obtain the highest degree of quality. These images are recorded on film for future reference. The cardiologist then reviews the findings along with other pertinent patient information and outlines potential treatment options with each patient and her or his family.
A full range of cardiac treatment procedures are handled by our skilled and experienced team members. Some of the most frequently used procedures include the following:
ANGIOPLASTY is used when a physician finds blockage in the coronary arteries and opens it with a small balloon. This balloon presses the collected plaque against the walls of the artery, thus widening the artery. This procedure restores normal blood flow to the heart muscle and is the first step in treatment for many patients with coronary artery disease. Click here to learn more about angioplasty.
DRUG-COATED STENTS, unlike conventional bare metal stents, contain Sirolimus, an anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits, or stops cell growth in the artery’s wall. A small amount of the drug is released over time inside the artery at the site of the angioplasty. The reduction in scar tissue produced by the drug reduces the risk for reblockage. Drug-coated (or drug-eluting) stents help prevent an artery from becoming blocked in patients who have had an angioplasty.
ATHERECTOMY is a procedure that removes coronary blockage from the coronary vessel. By removing plaque from the artery, the blood vessel is opened for better blood flow. The procedure is performed by passing a rotoblater, a special rotating blade device, into the coronary blockage. The rotoblater has a tiny football-shaped tip coated with microscopic diamond crystals. The tip travels through the artery over a thin guide where it crosses the blocked or narrowed area. Arteries are widened and blood flow is improved.
STENTING involves permanently implanting a small stainless steel coil in a narrowed artery to keep it open, so blood can flow normally. Stenting is often performed by using an angioplasty balloon to expand and lock the stent in place. In selected situations, this procedure reduces the need for repeat angioplasty or cardiac bypass surgery. Click here to learn more about stenting.