Life-saving Cardiology Procedures

Cardiac emergencies are life threatening. Early medical assistance, CPR, defibrillation and comprehensive care in a hospital are necessary for survival. Modern medicine offers various advanced procedures to correct a number of serious heart problems. Here are a few of the procedures that can save life in 90% cases if done within the critical time frame.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Maintaining the rhythm of the heart is vital and pacemakers are used to induce and maintain the right rhythm. While all arrhythmias are serious, certain rhythms can be life threatening. An ICD is an implantable device. A defibrillator wire is inserted into the heart. It is connected to a device implanted in the chest. Whenever dangerous rhythms are sensed, it sends out a small electrical impulse to jolt the heart back to normal rhythm preventing collapse.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

Angioplasty done within a few hours of a heart attack can prevent permanent damage to the heart and reduce the risk of future heart attacks. Coronary angioplasty is a procedure in which a thin catheter or tube is threaded through a blood vessel in the arm or leg to reach the heart. PTCA is performed to correct the blood flow in the heart muscle. A blocked artery is opened up and a stent is placed inside to maintain blood flow. If the block has to be removed, the deposits on the artery wall are shaved off to restore blood flow. In laser angioplasty, a laser is used to help remover the block.

Coronary artery bypass

Commonly called bypass surgery, this surgery is done to bypass a blocked artery. Healthy vein is removed usually from the leg, sometimes from the chest or arm and is used to create a new route for blood to flow around the blocked artery. In severe cases several bypass surgeries may be required to restore blood flow and save the heart.

Many cardiac conditions develop over time or may be congenital. Emergencies occur when chronic issues lead to heart failure, heart attack or cardiac arrest. There are numerous procedures to manage cardiovascular diseases. Timely treatment and preventive care can reduce the risk of a cardiac emergency. In spite of every available treatment if the heart fails, then a heart transplant is the only option.

Some of the common cardiac procedures:

• Rotational Atherectemy (Rotablation)
• ASD/VSD/PDA Device Closure
• Percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy /Balloon aortic valvotomy/ Balloon pulmonary valvotomy
• Pacemaker Implantation
• Complex Arrhythmia management
• CRT/D Implantation – Device therapy for heart failure
• Minimally invasive bypass surgeries
• Valve replacement/repair surgery
• Corrective congenital heart disease surgery

For all heart problems consult our cardiologist for comprehensive treatment and management.