Cardiac Catheterization & Invasive Cardiology

The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles and help to pump blood to the entire body. These arteries can narrow or become blocked due to the build-up of fatty substances on the walls, which can interfere with the normal functioning of the heart and can cause chest pain and in some cases heart attacks. Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure to evaluate buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Coronary Angiography

Coronary angiography involves placing a small tube into one of your arteries. Through that tube catheters are placed into the arteries of the heart and within the heart itself. Through these tubes contrast is injected, and x-rays are used to take pictures of the arteries of the heart and the heart itself.

Radial approach

Our cardiologists have the ability to perform cardiac catheterizations utilizing the artery in your arm (the radial artery). This allows us to perform a cardiac catheterization and perform cardiac interventions through a small needle stick in your wrist. With this approach you will be able to sit-up right after the procedure and have a shorter recovery time. In addition serious bleeding from the procedure is more rare with this approach.

Coronary Artery Stenting

Coronary artery angioplasty combined with stent placement is one of the most common treatment modalities for treating significant blockages in the arteries to the heart which may cause symptoms of chest pain or shortness of breath. Angioplasty is a medical procedure used to dilate the narrowed arteries supplying blood to the heart. This is accomplished by inflating a small balloon inside the artery to dilate the vessels and increase the blood flow to the heart. Afterwards a stent is placed in the artery to ensure the artery stays open

Complex Coronary Interventions

While coronary artery angioplasty and stent placement has been a common procedure in the last few years, recently many tools have been added to treat the most complicated blockages including arteries that are heavily calcified or have been completely blocked for a long period of time (chronic total occlusions or CTO). Complex coronary interventions involve treatment of these arteries which were previously not possible. We at CCNJ can offer the latest technology to treat complex coronary lesions as well as CTOs.