Atherectomy:

The blocked area inside the artery is shaved away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter.

Balloon Angioplasty:

A small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area.

Cardiac MRI:

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an advanced, non-invasive imaging tool that can be used to assess many different aspects of the cardiovascular system.  It excels at evaluation of ventricular function (how well the heart pumps) and cardiac anatomy (what the heart looks like).  It is the most accurate imaging technique for evaluation of prior myocardial infarction (heart damage or injury).  It can also be used to assess blood flow to the heart, valve function, and coronary artery anatomy.  There is no ionizing radiation used during an MRI, and if contrast is needed there is little, if any, potential for kidney damage. Patients with prior pacemakers or defibrillators (ICD’s) cannot undergo MRI.  Patients with very irregular heart rhythms are also not good candidates for cardiac MRI.  Patients who are claustrophobic may need a mild sedative before undergoing MRI.  The study will take approximately one hour and patients will be asked to hold their breath at times for about 15 to 20 seconds.

Coronary Angioplasty:

A catheter (a long, thin plastic tube) is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow.

Coronary Artery Stent:

A wire mesh tube is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area and is left in place to keep the artery open.

Coronary Artery Bypass:

A surgical procedure in which small portions of veins or arteries are taken from one part of the body and transplanted into the heart to bypass clogged coronary arteries.

Catheter Ablation:

This procedure uses radio waves or freezing to silence an abnormal area in the heart's electrical system, which is usually found during an electrophysiology study.  An EP study is a test that records and measures the electrical pathways of your heart.

Echocardiogram:

An echocardiogram is an image of the heart created by bouncing ultrasound waves off the heart and into a machine that translates the echoes into a computer-generated picture.

Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator:

A defibrillator is inserted into the patient's heart and chest to send out a small amount of electricity when needed to jolt heart rhythm back to normal.

Laser Angioplasty:

A laser is used to vaporize the blockage in the artery.

Permanent Pacemaker:

A pacemaker (a small battery-powered device) is inserted in the patient's heart and upper chest to provide a reliable heartbeat when the heart's own rhythm is abnormal.