Interventional Cardiology and Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

One area a cardiologist might choose to focus on is something called interventional cardiology. This is a way of minimizing the risk in heart surgery by minimizing the invasiveness of the surgery itself. This is often done through the use of catheters and can fix a wide range of heart problems after medication has stopped working and before major surgery is needed. An interventional cardiologist is often considered the middle ground between a cardiologist and a heart surgeon.

The First Steps of Treating Heart Disease

Every single person who develops some kind of heart problem will eventually be put on a medication to assist in their heart problem. The doctor will usually recommend some lifestyle changes, along with medications. These medications will include blood thinners, beta blockers, medications to lower blood pressure and medications to lower cholesterol. For many, these medications can be used for years effectively, as long as the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle. In some cases, these medications might stop being effective. Usually, when this happens, the cardiologist will look at minimally invasive procedures in order to fix the problem.

Interventional Cardiology Surgeries

There are several different surgeries that someone who specializes in interventional cardiology might use. These often include the use of a catheter, threaded into the body and towards the heart in order to improve a condition. Some common types of interventional surgeries are angioplasties, valvuloplasties, congenital heart defect corrections and coronary thrombectomies.

Angioplasties - Angioplasties are one of the most common procedures that an interventional cardiologist will perform. In an angioplasty, a cardiologist will treat coronary artery disease by inserting a catheter into a person vein. At the end of this catheter will be a balloon. The cardiologist will thread in the catheter until they reach the vein blockage. Then, they will expand the balloon and remove the blockage.

Valvuloplasty - A valvuloplasty is much like an angioplasty. However, instead of using the balloon to widen arteries, the balloon is used to widen a valve. Aortic and Mitral valvuloplasties are the most common types performed.

Congenital heart defect correction - Some defects are made. Some people are born with congenital heart defects that need to be corrected. In these cases, the same catheter based approach will be used to improve blood flow in the heart, which has been inhibited due to a congenital defect.

Coronary thrombectomies - Coronary thrombectomies are performed when there is a blood clot in the heart somewhere. In these cases, coronary thrombectomies are performed as a last resort, when all other measures have failed. A blood clot in the heart can be extremely serious and can cause death if it is not removed as quickly as possible.

Interventional cardiology requires a special kind of cardiologist to handle. In some cases, these interventional procedures will be performed by a patient's primary cardiologist, while others might need to refer their patients out for interventional treatment. Interventional treatment with a cardiologist is a great alternative to traditional surgery, as it carries significantly less risk and has a faster recovery time.

Precautions one must take after pacemaker implantation

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A pacemaker is an electronic device that is implanted surgically in the body to regulate the heartbeats. For an individual who has undergone such a surgery, it is essential to follow some precautions in order to avoid complications. A pacemaker improves the heart rate and ensures smooth blood circulation. This medical device is powered by a battery and connected to the heart with the help of circuits and wires. It is usually recommended by doctors for individuals whose heart has weakened and is unable to perform its function properly. The pacemaker procedure is minimally invasive in nature and is usually done under local anaesthesia. After the surgery, the cardiologist may advice the patient to take necessary precautions, so as not to disrupt the working of the pacemaker. Pacemaker precautions after surgery  The pacemaker generates electric impulses, in the same way sinoatrial node does in a healthy heart, to stabilize the heartbeats. This surgery is mainly undergone by patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis, etc. These disorders can weaken the heart muscles and hamper blood circulation, which can have life-threatening consequences. To address the condition, the pacemaker is fitted near the heart to improve its pumping. Once the surgery is over, you are expected to stay in the hospital, where your condition is monitored round-the-clock, before you are discharged. After the surgery, the cardiologist will advise you to follow a set of instructions, regarding the post surgical care of the wound, diet, lifestyle changes, etc. Routine follow-up sessions with the cardiologist will be helpful, to assess the working of the pacemaker. Here are some of the precautionary measures you are expected to take, following a pacemaker implantation. There are chances of the surgical wound getting infected due to various reasons. Lack of proper wound dressing, unhygienic conditions, pathogens, etc., can trigger infection and may also lead to other complications. To avoid these, periodical dressing of the surgical wound, proper medication and diet restrictions should be followed. Muscle aches or chest pain may be experienced at the site of implantation. This is because the body needs time to get attuned to the device. In case, the pain is unbearable, you can get in touch with your cardiac surgeon who may prescribe pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid activities that involve too much pulling, pushing or straining, at least for 1 to 3 months post surgery. Totally abstain from strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects, vigorous exercise, full-contact sports, and heavy physical work, which can put a strain on your heart. Unnecessary lifting of hands beyond shoulder level should also be restricted, as it may be strenuous for the heart. Practising these tips will help in speeding up the recovery process. Though the pacemaker has a long battery life (approximately 5 to 15 years), it is essential to keep a routine check on its working. A replacement of the battery and generator may be required, every seven years, to ensure its proper functioning. The cardiac surgeon, depending on the situation, may decide to perform a surgery to replace the pacemaker you are carrying. Other precautionary measures related to pacemaker implantation  It is quite unlikely for the pacemaker to cease functioning. However, when exposed to electrical interference, you may have to follow a few guidelines to make sure it is working properly. Apart from the above mentioned safety tips while living with a pacemaker, here are a few more which should not be overlooked. A pacemaker is made of metal, which can trigger alarms in metal detectors and scanners. So, if you are going through security checks, at the airport or any other place, you are sure to trigger the alarms. To avoid any such situation, always carry an ID card (pacemaker card), normally issued by your doctor or the hospital where you've undergone the surgery, stating your condition. Though cell phones are relatively safe to use while having a pacemaker, you have to make sure that you don't carry mobile phone in the pocket directly over the site of the implanted device. This is because the waves emitted by the phone can interfere with the pacemaker. Hence, it is advisable to keep the cell phones (either on or switched off) at least six to seven inches away from the pacemaker. Strong magnetic fields should also be avoided by a person fitted with a pacemaker. Therefore it is essential to notify the medical practitioner before undergoing scans (MRI scan, X-ray, therapeutic radiation), as waves emitted by these medical devices can affect the pacemaker's circuits and lead to its malfunctioning. Extended exposure to electromagnetic fields can hamper the working of the pacemaker. An individual working with heavy electrical equipment, live wires and industrial welders should take proper caution when working with these equipments if he is implanted with a pacemaker. Too much proximity with these devices can disrupt the signals and stall the working of the pacemaker temporarily. These were some of the pacemaker precautions that a patient is expected to follow. There are times when the pacemaker may malfunction, a situation which may produce symptoms like unexplained fatigue, excess sweating, episodes of dizziness, arrhythmia, feeling light-headed, etc. In such an instance get in touch with your cardiologist for prompt medical intervention and get the pacemaker tested.