Interventional Cardiology

It is one of the sub-specialities of cardiology which makes use of specialised catheter-driven techniques to diagnose as well as treat diseases related to coronary artery, vascular, structural heart as well as congenital heart defects. Notably, interventional cardiologists make use of various imaging techniques and diagnostic tests to calculate and gauge cardiovascular functions related to blood flow and blood pressure across major arteries that are present throughout the body and also within the varied chambers of the heart.

So if we make a quick comparison between Interventional Cardiology, General Cardiology, and Cardiac Surgery, the interventional cardiologists are trained to do specialised and specific catheter-related treatments for heart disease, and on the other hand, general cardiologists are not trained in these procedures. They are more involved in the diagnosis and patient care, with possibilities such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart stroke.

Interventional cardiologists can be called subspecialists who place stents in the clogged arteries so that the flow of blood remains proper, thereby reducing the risk of a heart attack. They are also known to repair holes in the heart or even place specialised devices so that its functioning remains up to the mark.

So, when we talk about interventional cardiology, we are talking about the treatment of the cardiovascular system that essentially includes four heart chambers, heart valves, and arteries, including coronary arteries. As expected, the tests and treatments that the interventional cardiologist performs depend on the patient-specific issue, the patient's wellness goals, and overall health.

In order to evaluate, diagnose, track, and manage heart and vascular concerns, these specialised cardiologists often look into imaging studies to get a detailed understanding of not only the heart but the entire cardiovascular system.