Surgery for coronary heart disease
Surgical procedures involving the coronary arteries become necessary when deposits on the artery walls lead to a narrowing of the arteries, resulting in a reduced flow of blood.
Cardiac catheterization for stenotic (narrowed) blood vessels
Today, cardiac catheterization is considered part of the standard surgical treatment of patients with narrowed blood vessels. The procedure is particularly common in the treatment of coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Cardiac catheterization is used to treat narrowed sections inside blood vessels (stenoses), which in most cases develop as a result of the hardening (atherosclerosis) of the coronary arteries. Aside from balloon catheters, other tools used in this procedure may include laser catheters or diamond burrs. One benefit of cardiac catheterization is that it can eliminate the need for open surgery. Another benefit of cardiac catheterization is the fact that it combines both diagnostic and treatment procedures. more
Intra-aortic balloon pump
Cardiogenic shock or a severe decrease in cardiac output (acute heart failure) can represent life-threatening situations that require immediate circulatory support. The intra-aortic balloon pump can save the patient's life by supporting the pumping action of the heart, thus providing temporary circulatory support. more
Thrombectomy for heart attack
Heart attacks usually develop as a result of coronary artery disease. If changes to a blood vessel lead to dissection, i.e. a tear in the inner wall of the vessel, platelet aggregation (clotting) is activated, causing the vessel to become blocked. Thrombectomy is a catheter-based procedure that involves the aspiration of blood clots. more
Recanalization of chronic total occlusion
Up to a third of patients who undergo cardiac catheterization have chronic occlusions (blockages) in the coronary arteries. These occlusions can either be treated using bypass graft surgery performed on an open heart, or they can be opened up using a catheter. more
PTCA using bare metal (uncoated) stents
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to treat stenotic (narrowed) coronary arteries that also involves stent implantation. The use of bare metal stents is mainly reserved for large blood vessels, or when the patient is already receiving anticoagulants for a different condition. more
PTCA using drug-eluting stents
Stent implantation is a procedure used in the treatment of stenotic (narrowed) coronary arteries. When compared to uncoated, bare metal stents, drug-eluting stents reduce the occurrence of restenosis in the affected sections of the blood vessel. more
PTCA using drug-eluting balloons
If the patient remains symptomatic despite drug-based therapy, coronary artery stenosis can be treated in the catheterization laboratory. Drug-eluting balloons can be used to treat areas of restenosis inside a previously treated section. more
Rotablation for stenosis
Rotablation refers to the treatment of coronary artery stenosis using a tiny drill. Rotablation is performed in preparation for balloon angioplasty, a procedure that involves balloon dilation followed by the implantation of a stent to keep the affected vessel permanently open. more
