• Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
(also called Coronary Angiogram)
A test in which a small catheter (hollow tube) is
guided through a vein or artery into the heart. Dye
is given through the catheter, and moving x-ray pictures
are made as the dye travels through the heart. This
comprehensive test shows: narrowings in the arteries,
outside heart size, inside chamber size, pumping ability
of the heart, ability of the valves to open and close,
as well as a measurement of the pressures within the
heart chambers and arteries.
• Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
(emergency stents)
During the cardiac catheterization procedure as described
above, a tiny coil is expanded inside the blocked
artery to open the blocked area. It is left in place
to keep the artery open.
When a patient is experiencing a myocardial infarction
(heart attack), it is vitally important that he or
she be treated immediately. Every moment counts. Because
the Cardiology Center’s team of dedicated professionals
understands the importance of immediate response,
patients experiencing a heart attack are treated within
minutes of their arrival to the Emergency Department.
Due to this diligence, Huntington Hospital’s
mortality rate for primary angioplasty (cardiac catheterization)
on patients who have experienced a heart attack is
1.25%, well below the nationwide acceptable level
of 4%.
• IVC (inferior vena cava) filter to
prevent pulmonary embolisms
Pulmonary embolism, a severe and life-threatening
condition, is the blockage of the pulmonary artery
by foreign matter such as: a blood clot (thrombus)
or pieces of it, fat, air, or tumor tissue. Conditions
that may contribute to pulmonary embolism include:
heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
(COPD), extended bed rest, surgery, cancer, paralysis,
aging, and sickle cell disease.
The inferior vena cava or IVC is a major blood vessel
which carries blood from the lower body back to the
heart. An IVC filter is a small piece of metal which
is put into the inferior vena cava to prevent blood
clots in the lower body, such as the legs, from going
up to the lungs. IVC filters may be temporary or permanent.
Similar to cardiac catheterization, the cardiologist
punctures a vein in the neck or groin area with a
needle and places a catheter into the blood vessel.
The catheter is then carefully positioned so the IVC
filter can be inserted. X-rays are used to place the
filter in the appropriate location.
• Intra Aortic Balloon Pump counterpulsation
therapy for cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock is a condition in which the heart
muscle is damaged to the extent that it is unable
to supply an adequate amount of blood to the body’s
organs. A myocardial infarction (heart attack) which
results in heart failure, is the most common cause
of cardiogenic shock. Disorders of the heart muscle,
electrical system, and/or heart valves may also result
in cardiogenic shock.
The intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a polyethylene
balloon mounted on a catheter which is inserted into
the aorta through an artery in the leg. As the balloon
inflates and deflates, the work required of the heart
muscle is decreased at the same time that cardiac
output is increased.
• Temporary transvenous pacemaker insertion
A temporary pacemaker, similar to a permanent pacemaker,
is used for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms.
An electrical signal from the pacemaker stimulates
the heart to beat according to the specific needs
of each patient. The temporary pacemaker is external
and is not implanted into the body. A permanent pacemaker
is inserted while the patient is in the electrophysiology
lab.
After the patient is anesthetized, a wire lead is
inserted through a vein in the neck or groin, and
positioned into the right side of the heart. The cardiologist
uses sutures to secure the wire lead into position.
The wire is then attached to an external pacemaker
unit which provides the electrical impulses needed
for the heart to beat at a regular rhythm.
• Percutaneous diagnostic peripheral
vascular catheterization studies of lower extremities
(legs) and kidneys
Also referred to as peripheral vascular angiography,
this test is performed in order to evaluate the build-up
of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the peripheral arteries,
those leading to the lower abdomen, kidneys, legs,
and feet. The cardiologist threads a catheter through
the femoral artery in the groin area to access the
affected site. A contrast dye is then injected into
the peripheral arteries and x-rays are taken. These
x-rays enable the cardiologist to see where any blockages
of blood flow are located.
• Peripheral vascular angioplasty and
stent placement for kidney and limb salvage
When the arteries become narrowed or blocked due to
a build up of plaque, the flow of blood may be severely
reduced or even stopped completely. Left untreated,
this condition may result in the amputation of an
appendage or the loss of function of a kidney(s).
During the catheterization process, cardiologists
at Huntington Hospital are able to open these narrowed
or blocked blood vessels using a balloon catheter.
When inflated, the balloon opens the blocked artery
and restores proper blood flow. A wire mesh tube called
a stent may also be placed into the artery at the
blockage site. The stent is then left in place to
keep the artery open.
