Cardiac Catheterization Procedures

Fletcher Allen provides care in three state-of-the-art cardiovascular catheterization laboratories that are fully digital and integrated into a state-of-the-art cardiovascular suite.

Diagnostic Coronary Angiography Procedures and Hemodynamic Assessment

The University invasive cardiology clinical faculty perform a high volume of diagnostic cardiovascular angiography procedures and hemodynamic studies for evaluation of coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy. In addition, diagnostic angiographic procedures are performed for the assessment of co-existent disease in the aortoiliac, femoral, renal or subclavian arteries. Angiograms are performed either via small catheters placed in the femoral artery (groin approach) or via similar catheters placed in the brachial artery (arm approach). After diagnostic catheterization alone most patients are able to ambulate one hour after the procedure.

Intravascular Ultrasound

In areas where angiographic assessment is not diagnostic, our interventional cardiology faculty use state-of-the-art intravascular ultrasound assessment to define anatomy and risk. We are currently utilizing a highly advanced digital intravascular ultrasound system to implement non-angiographic assessment of lesions.

Groin Closure Devices

In over 80% of our patients, groin closure devices are utilized to avoid the use of a sand bag and prolonged bed rest required in the absence of these suture mediated devices. Ambulation is common one hour after the procedure in patients undergoing diagnostic procedures and 6 hours after coronary interventions.

Percutaneous Treatment Options

Percutaneous treatment options are offered for a wide range of cardiovascular disorders:

For acutely ill patients, we offer emergency coronary interventions and intraaortic balloon pump support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  All patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction will be considered for coronary intervention urgently regardless of previous treatment (e.g. thrombolysis) or symptoms after discussion with the referring physician.

Single vessel and multivessel coronary intervention are performed primarily with stent technology (over 90% of our interventions involve stents). Adjunctive lesion modification is available with atherectomy, cutting balloon angioplasty, thrombectomy or distal protection as indicated.  Stents are metal mesh tubes that scaffold the coronary artery and limit the recurrence of recurrent blockage (“restenosis”).  Our faculty have taken a leading role in clinical trials of drug eluting stents (stents that release small amounts of chemotherapeutic or antibiotic agents that reduce restenosis).

Drug Eluting Stents, Renal Artery Stenting, Iliac and Subclavian Stenting

It is anticipated that the University invasive cardiology clinical faculty will continue their leadership in the use of drug-eluting stents after FDA approval. The University invasive cardiology clinical faculty offer expertise in the treatment of severe hypertension by treating renal artery sterosis and can alleviate claudication of upper and lower extremities by treating iliac and subclavian sterosis.  Treatment of diseased renal, iliac, and subclavian arteries is performed in a manner similar to coronary intervention.  A metallic stent is placed in the affected artery to perform these procedures via a small catheter placed in either the femoral (groin) or brachial (arm) artery.

Closure of Atrial Defects

The University Cardiology clinical faculty invasive group anticipates offering  percutaneous closure of defects in the atrial wall (atrial septal defects or patent foramen ovale) in accordance with updated clinical indications. This percutaneous procedure allows placement of a sealing device via the femoral vein to the atrium to close a hole in the atrium without the need for open heart surgery.

Links

For further on state-of-the-art technology and clinical trials involving our interventional cardiology faculty: www.TCTMD.com