Procedures
Coronary Angioplasty
Once the blockage is viewed and located. A catheter can be threaded up to the exact postition.When the blockage is reached the catheter is inflated and blockages are widened. This allows for improved blood flow.
Coronary Stents
This procedure which uses a small tubular mesh device to prop open the artery. The stent is mounted on a balloon catheter. It is then treaded up into the coronary artery blockage. When it reaches the blocked area, the balloon catheter is inflated and the stent is expanded. This expansion acts as a tiny scaffold to hold open any blockages that might impede blood flow.
Coronary Atherectomy
A procedure which cuts, shaves, or pulverizes plaque which blocks coronary arteries. Those procedures use directional, rotational or transluminal extraction catheters. This type employs the use of a small cutting device that shaves and stores the plaque in a storage chamber. This plaque can be removed once the device is taken out.
Coronary Rotational Atherectomy
This employs a "football" looking device with microscopic diamond shavings coating the tip. This device rotates about 190,000 rpms and pulverizes hardened plaque into small particles. The particles are pulverized into minute particles. These particles are small than a red blood cell. They are then safely removed through our waste system.
Transluminal Extraction Catheter
This device removes blockages by cutting and simultaneously extracting blockages (plaque) by vaccuming the particles out of the body. The head of this catheter consist of a tapered cutting head with two stainless steel blades which are attached to the end of a hollow catheter. The head cuts the plaque by rotating the blades, then aspirates the debris through the catheter.
Pacemaker Implantation
Your heart has a natural pacemaker, called the sinoatrial or SA node, which produces electrical signals. It is located in the right atrium, the upper right section of your heart. The SA node's signals travel through the atrioventricular or AV node to the ventricles, where it will stimulate the heart muscle to contract. The heart's regular rhythmic contractions can be felt as your pulse. When it is working properly, your heart's electrical system automatically responds to the body's varying need for oxygen, it speeds up the heart rate when you are climbing stairs, for example, and slows it down when you sleep. Your heart's electrical system works somethin like a car's accelerator. When the accelerator is borken, the engine can't get enough gas to move the car as fast as you want. Similarly, if your heart's electrical system is not working normally, yor body may not be receiving the extra fuel it needs so you can clean the house or take a brisk walk. This is when a pacemaker can often be of help.
Carotid Artery Stenting
New techniques are now being developed in order to clear blockages in the carotid arteries (neck artery). Traditionally, an invasive surgical procedure called carotid endarterectomy was the only option available to clear those blockages. Procedures used to clear coronary arteries are now being employed to help clear carotid arteries. One problem that comes with using these procedures is flakes may break loose and block small arteries that supply the brain with oxygen thus causing a stroke. To help eliminate this problem cardiologist have developed a "safety net". A device that filters the blood and snags the debris. As the balloon is properly positioned a tiny umbrella - looking device is opened. The balloon is then inflated which pushes the plaque against the artery wall. If any small piece should break loose it is captured in the filter device. A stent is then placed and expanded to help keep the artery open. The filter is removed once a satifactory expansion is reached. Thus minimizing any risks of stroke.
SilverHawk Plaque Excision
This procedure was approved for use in the treatment of peripheral arteries. It works on both calcified and noncalcified lesions. This device uses tiny rotating blade the size of a grain of rice to shave blockages. The plaque is then collected in a chamber on the device. The cutting blades rotate about 8,000 rpm.
This device provides alternative treatment to major blockages below the knee.