What is an interventional catheterization?
Because of advances in technology, many heart defects can now be treated without surgery. Instead, they can be treated using a cardiac catheterization procedure. These procedures are performed by a pediatric interventional cardiologist, who has undergone specialized training beyond general pediatric cardiology. Pediatric interventional cardiologists treat both children and adults with congenital heart disease. The type of procedure performed depends on the type of heart defect being treated. For example, special devices can be used to close holes in the heart, balloons can be used to treat valve abnormalities, and stents can be used to open narrowed blood vessels. These procedures do not involve a chest incision and require only an overnight stay in the hospital. For more on interventional catheterization, click here.
Related Questions
- Does the use of new intracoronary interventional devices prolong radiation exposure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory?
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- When Is an Interventional Cardiac Catheterization Procedure Used?
