Invasive Services
• Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization and Peripheral Vascular Arteriography
• Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Intervention
• Angioplasty
• Atherectomy - Directional and Rotational
• Stenting
• Laser Ablation
• Arrhythmia Management
• Comprehensive Electrophysiological Studies
• Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
• Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
• Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
• Defibrillator Implantation
• Loop Recorder Implementation
• Electrical Cardioversion
• Tilt Table Testing
To learn more about conditions, tests, and treatments of heart disease, access the American College of Cardiology's "CardioSmart" at www.cardiosmart.org.
Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or groin (after a local anesthesia is given) and threaded up to the heart, a dye is injected and X-rays are taken of the arteries. If there is a blockage in any artery it is usually easily seen. After the procedure, the catheter is removed and you may be able to go home later in the day.
Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Intervention
Invasive therapies are offered to relieve the symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease and Peripheral Vascular Disease, which include narrowed arteries around the heart, legs or kidneys. The hope is to relieve symptoms such as chest discomfort or pain associated with walking, or assist with blood pressure control and preserve kidney function.
• Carotid and Subclavian Arteriography
• Abdominal Aortography
• Renal Arteriography
• Lower Extremity arteriography
Angioplasty - Narrowing in arteries caused by accumulated fatty deposits are enlarged to increase blood flow through the artery. This is done when a balloon at the end of the catheter is inserted, blown up to compress the clogged area of the artery against the artery wall, and then removed.
Atherectomy - This procedure uses a catheter and special cutting or grinding tools to remove plaque from artery walls.
Rotational Atherectomy - A diamond-tipped burr drill is moved through a blockage disintegrating plaque deposits as it advances. It is often useful in long blockages which contain calcium deposits.
Directional Coronary Atherectomy - Permits us to use a spinning blade to slice cholesterol blockages into pieces and trap them in a "nose cone."
Stenting - A small metal coil or mesh tube is permanently left in the artery to keep the inner wall open.
Laser Ablation - A catheter-based technique in which a high-energy light source is employeed to vaporized plaque in order to remove blockages in coronary and peripheral arteries.
Arrhythmias are abnormal rhythms of the heartbeat that may or may not be dangerous. They interrupt the regular heart rhythm.
Comprehensive Electrophysiological Studies
The Electrophysiological Study takes from one to four hours. Medication is given to relax you during the procedure (you may fall asleep). A catheter is inserted through the veins and/or arteries of the extremities and is positioned in the heart to receive electrical activities of the heart. Electrical signals can also be sent through these catheters to try to induce an abnormal heart rhythm.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
The catheter ablation procedure can take approximately two to six hours. A catheter is inserted into the heart. Heart cells which cause rhythm problems are localized, then energy is sent through the wires to destroy these cells.
Atrial fibrillation ablation is a catheter-based procedure used to restore the heart to a normal rhythm when medications and nonsurgical procedures do not produce the desired results.
Permanent Pacemaker Implantation
Pacemaker - A small, battery-operated device that helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm. Some are permanent (internal) and some are temporary.
ICD - An implantable cardioverter / defibrillator (ICD) is a device designed to administer an electric shock to control tachyarrhythmias - the rapid, uncoordinated activation of individual heart fibers - and restore a normal heartbeat. The power source is implanted in a pouch beneath the skin of the chest or abdomen and is connected to wires within the heart.
A monitor, which contains electrodes, is placed under the skin. The heart rhythm can be recorded by an external or internal trigger. The loop recorder can be kept in place for up to two years.
This procedure uses electrical current to change an irregular heart rhythm to a normal heart rhythm.
This test permits evaluation of syncope (loss of consciousness) for unknown reasons. It is performed by placing a patient on a padded table, which undergoes positional changes from horizontal to upright, while blood pressur and heart rate are monitored.
Back to What We Offer
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This site provides materials for information and education only. It is not to be considered medical advice. LVCA encourages you to see your physician for any of the health issues discussed here. The field of medicine changes on a regular basis, therefore we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided on this site, nor do we guarantee that the information represents the most currently accepted standards.
Suite 301 • 2649 Schoenersville Road • Bethlehem, PA 18017
Tel: 610-866-2233 • Fax: 610-866-7738
http://www.lvcardiology.com
Notice of Privacy Practices of Lehigh Valley Cardiology Associates, P.C.