Hospital Services

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure performed to identify and/or treat problems in the heart. During the procedure, using a long, thin tube called a catheter, your cardiologist can:

  • Identify blockages or narrowing of the blood vessels
  • Determine the amount of oxygen in the heart
  • Identify problems affecting the valves of the heart
  • Identify congenital heart defects
  • Take a biopsy (tissue) from the heart
  • Test the pressure inside the heart

The results of a cardiac catheterization may indicate that surgery or another treatment is necessary.

Coronary Angioplasty

 A coronary angioplasty is a procedure that uses a balloon to clear any blockages in your coronary artery. This procedure is usually followed by the placement of a stent. A stent is a spring-like, circular device used to prevent a blockage from reoccurring in the coronary artery.

 When the heart’s arteries buildup with fatty plaque, composed of cholesterol and other cells, the arteries harden and narrow, which restrict blood flow. This condition is known as atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease. Cardiologists are able to open the clogged arteries by performing a coronary angioplasty.

During a coronary angioplasty, the doctor will insert a catheter (small tube) into either an arm or leg artery and thread it through until it reaches the heart. Once the catheter is in the blocked coronary artery, a tiny balloon inside the catheter will be inflated for 30-60 seconds to widen the artery.

Usually a coronary angioplasty is coupled with the placement of a stent. After the balloon expands the artery, a small metal coil is placed inside the artery to stabilize the walls. This stent will hold the artery open and reduce the chance of it narrowing again.

Two types of stents are used: bare-metal and drug-eluting. The bare-metal stents are just that – tiny metal coils. The drug-eluting stents are tiny metal coils coated with medication that helps the artery lining stay smooth to prevent blockage from the formation of plaque and scar tissue. 

If a coronary angioplasty is performed during a heart attack, unblocking the artery can prevent further heart damage.

Implantable Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small device that is placed in the chest under the skin near your heart to help control abnormal heart rhythms. There are a wide range of causes for heartbeat disruptions and arrhythmias, but, regardless of the underlying cause of the abnormal heart rate, a pacemaker may fix it.

A pacemaker is made up of a battery, a computerized generation system and wires with sensors called electrodes. Electrodes monitor your heart's electrical activity and send the information through the wires to the computer generator. Using low-energy electrical pulses, your pacemaker keeps your heartbeat at a normal rate. If your heart rhythm becomes abnormal, the computer will direct the generator to send electrical pulses through the wires to your heart so that its rhythm returns to normal.

A pacemaker can be placed in your chest with a minor surgery. Most people return to their normal activities within a few days of having their pacemaker installed. Your doctor can determine what level of activity is appropriate for you post-surgery.

Defibrillators and Loop Recorders

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a small device that will assist in treating irregular heartbeats and life-threatening arrhythmias by sending electrical pulses or shocks to the heart. 

An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is an electrocardiographic device  and diagnostic tool  that will monitor and store electrocardiographic data in response to any significant disturbance to the heart's rhythm.