Treatments and procedures

Here are some common treatments and procedures. By clicking on the name, you will move directly to its description.

Angiography Aortic Arch Angiography Aortic Stent Grafts Balloon Angioplasty/Stent Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiograms and Aortograms Cardioversion Cartoid Angiography Coronary Atherectomy Coronary Thrombectomy Coronary Thrombolysis Descending Aorta Angiography Electrophysiology (EP)

Enchanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) Femoral Angiography Iliac Angiography Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Intra Vascular Ultrasound (IVUS) Pericardiocentesis Percutaneus Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Renal Angiography Subclavian Angiography Therapeautic or Interventional Vascular Procedures Valvuloplasty Vena Cava Filters

Angiography is a diagnostic procedure where contrast media (X-ray dye) is used in conjunction with X-rays to evaluate blood vessels. Angiography is performed in many different vessels of the periphery.  The vessels studied most often will be listed. This is by no means a complete list.

Aortic Arch Angiography is an examination of the major curve of the aorta which gives rise to blood vessels that serve the head and neck, arms, and upper chest.

Aortic Stent Grafts are used for some patients with an aortic aneurysms (bulging spot) where an aortic stent graft can be placed to help strengthen the artery wall and allow blood to flow through without turbulence. A stent graft is a stent covered with a fabric that does not allow blood to pass through. This procedure is done in surgery with the assistance of a vascular surgeon.

Balloon Angioplasty/Stent is a procedure in which a balloon catheter is inserted through the guiding catheter to fix a blocked artery.  MORE

Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiograms, and Aortograms are three procedures that use x-rays to find the areas where an artery is narrowed or blocked. MORE

Cardioversion is a way of fixing your heart's natural pacemaker, which controls how fast it beats.  MORE

Carotid Angiography is examination of the carotid arteries in the neck. The carotid arteries are the major suppliers of blood to the brain.  When someone is having Transient Ischemic Attacks or TIAs, these vessels are usually involved.

Coronary Atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque from an artery.  MORE

Coronary Thrombectomy is the removal of thrombus (clot) from a coronary artery by mechanical means.  MORE

Coronary Thrombolysis is the removal and/or inhibition of thrombus (clot) using drugs. Various drugs can be given through the IV that can break up and remove thrombus or inhibit it from forming in the first place.

Descending Aorta Angiography looks at the straight portion of the aorta from high in the chest to its bifurcation (split into two parts) in the pelvis. This aortography is used to look for aneurysm or blockage in the aorta or to study the take off of the many vessels arising from the aorta.

Electrophysiology (EP) specialists provide an array of diagnostic electrophysiology studies and cardiac ablation procedures.  MORE

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a way of helping blood return to your heart.  MORE

Femoral Angiography examines the femoral arteries which start in the hip area and end by the knee. They supply blood to muscle of the upper leg and act as a conduit for blood to the lower leg.

Iliac Angiography examines the Iliac arteries that arise from the aorta and carry blood down to the legs. If a patient has leg pain when they walk (claudication) these vessels will be studied as well as the blood vessels of the leg.

Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) is a large balloon catheter placed in the aorta between the kidneys and the aortic arch.  MORE

Intra Vascular Ultrasound (IVUS) may be used as a diagnostic tool to help determine the severity of a blockage and its composition.  MORE

Pericardiocentesis is a way to drain the tough sac around the heart called the pericardium.  MORE

Percutaneus Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) utilizes an inflatable balloon to push the structure of a blockage, called plaque, into the vessel wall creating a larger space (lumen) for the blood to flow through.

Renal Angiography looks at the renal arteries that supply the kidneys. These arteries are suspect when hypertension (high blood pressure) is difficult to treat with medication.

Subclavian Angiography is examination of the subclavian arteries that start high in the middle of the chest and follow the clavicles out toward the shoulder. Many blood vessels have their origin from the subclavians.

Therapeutic or Interventional Vascular Procedures include Angioplasty, Stenting, Atherectomy, Thrombectomy, and Thrombolysis. These procedures may be performed on most of the vessels above, the biggest exception being some sections of the aorta. See the  Vascular Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery clinics for more information.

Valvuloplasty is the use of an inflatable balloon to help open a narrowed heart valve and allow blood to move more freely.

Vena Cava Filters are used for  patients who have trouble with blood clots forming in the legs. A vena cava filter may be place in the inferior vena cava to prevent the clot from traveling to the lungs. The vena cava is the large vein returning blood to the heart from below the diaphragm.