Lifesaving Interventional Heart Care
In a heart-related emergency, don’t leave anything to chance. Trust your care to our experienced interventional cardiology team. Our interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons excel at performing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with access to the latest technologies. Also called coronary angioplasty, PCI is a minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). This disease is the leading cause of heart attack and one of the most common reasons for interventional heart care. Rest assured that when you need immediate heart care, our interventional cardiologists will be here to meet your needs.
Always Ready, Always There
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Rapid Response, Wherever You Are
At our Florida locations, the Code STEMI team’s response time is faster than the national average — and the Florida Flight 1 helicopter is also ready to take flight if needed.
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Fewer Complications, Greater Chances
Get treated by a team that’s relentless in reviewing your case in detail, so they can weigh every potential treatment option. It’s why our patients see better outcomes than the national average.
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Acute Cardiogenic Shock Team
Our Acute Cardiogenic Shock Team is comprised of dedicated specialists focused on lifesaving treatments and preventing serious complications associated with acute cardiogenic shock, including liver and kidney damage.
Interventional Cardiology Treatments
Rest assured that your heart is in the hands of a highly trained, multidisciplinary team skilled in a range of interventional cardiology treatments and procedures.
- Code STEMI Program
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An ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI, is a very serious type of heart attack that needs immediate care. That's why we have Code STEMI Teams available across the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network to meet your needs at a moment's notice. As this program's availability varies by region, ask your local facility about the Code STEMI Team in your area.
Our Code STEMI Teams are ready with a dedicated team of interventional cardiologists and an onsite cath lab available 24/7. Treatment begins as soon as emergency medical services (EMS) personnel alert the Code STEMI Team via beepers that a patient is en route. The Code STEMI Team then jumps into action, advising EMS to perform 12-lead electrocardiograms before the patient even arrives in the emergency room.
At our Florida locations, if a patient is located outside the area, the Florida Flight 1 helicopter is ready to take flight and transport them to the closest AdventHealth Code STEMI Team.
- Interventional Cardiology Procedures
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Carotid Angioplasty
If you have a blocked or narrow carotid artery, it’s likely caused by stenosis or a buildup of plaque. An angioplasty is a minimally invasive technique that will increase the blood flow to treat your condition, often with less pain and a faster recovery than traditional procedures.
Your interventional cardiologist will gently insert a catheter and guide it to the blockage. A balloon at the end of the catheter will be inflated and used to either flatten the plaque or widen the opening of the artery. In some cases, your surgeon may decide it’s best to place a stent to keep the artery open.
Percutaneous Valve Replacement
This advanced treatment is a less-invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. Your surgeon will replace your damaged or diseased heart valve through a minimally invasive needle puncture, which typically involves less pain and a faster recovery than traditional procedures.
Because each person's heart condition is different, your team will review every aspect of your medical history and test results to determine the best treatment for you.
- What You Need to Know About Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
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If your coronary artery is blocked or you have coronary artery disease, your surgeon may perform PCI. A PCI procedure may also be done for people who haven’t had a heart attack, but who have severe coronary artery disease. Angioplasty and stenting can help prevent a cardiac emergency, and our specialists excel at delivering urgent, lifesaving care.
During this heart attack treatment procedure, your cardiologist inserts a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin or wrist. The catheter is threaded up to the coronary artery that is blocked by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup). Once your cardiologist identifies the exact location of the blockage, they can inflate a tiny balloon in the artery to allow blood flow. This procedure is called balloon angioplasty. In some cases, cardiologists implant a stent (a small metal or plastic tube) in an artery to keep it open.
By quickly restoring blood flow to the blocked artery, we can ease chest pain, limit heart muscle damage from oxygen deprivation and save lives, making PCI the gold standard of heart attack treatment. If you have a myocardial infarction or unstable angina, PCI may reduce your risk of future incidents.
- Advanced Cardiac Catheterization Labs for Your Peace of Mind
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As leaders in clinical research, AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute locations offer you some of the latest techniques and therapies for your heart.
With access to cardiac catheterization (cath) labs designed for interventional procedures, our highly trained interventional cardiologists and heart surgeons work together to treat life-threatening conditions. Here, you’ll be supported by a community that’s committed to results at every step of your care.
Cardiologists Who Put Your Heart First
Your heart supports your whole health — and so do our physicians. Count on our experienced cardiologists near you to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, so your heart can beat stronger for longer.
Advanced Technology for Your Heart
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
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For people who have severe aortic stenosis (a narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve) and may not be candidates for open-heart surgery, groundbreaking procedures like TAVR offer a safer alternative.
AdventHealth surgeons and interventional cardiologists were among the first in Florida to offer this less-invasive option, performed through a small incision in the leg.
With advanced procedures like TAVR, we’re elevating our heart care and improving clinical outcomes, leading to fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries for our patients.
- WATCHMAN FLX™
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The WATCHMAN FLX is a small device that’s implanted in the left atrial appendage (a small pouch in the top left heart chamber), closing off a part of the heart where blood clots most commonly form.
Implanting the FLX is a minimally invasive, one-time procedure that helps prevent blood clots, lowering your risk for stroke. The procedure is completed within an hour, and patients typically stay overnight in the hospital and leave the next day.
If you’re experiencing an irregular heartbeat and can’t tolerate blood thinners, the FLX could help. To see if this device could be right for you, click below to learn more.
- Micra™ Pacemaker
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About the size of a vitamin capsule, Micra is the world’s smallest pacemaker, designed for patients with a slow heart rate. Unlike most pacemakers, Micra is leadless and implanted directly into the heart — all in a single minimally invasive procedure with no chest incision required.
Because Micra is self-contained within the heart, it eliminates potential medical complications associated with a chest incision and the wires of conventional pacemakers. By using Micra, we’re able to help our patients get back to their regular activities without restrictions.
- Philips Azurion Image-Guided Therapy
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In the operating room, advanced technologies mean smarter, safer and more efficient procedures. The Azurion image-guided therapy platform from Philips is a next-generation technology we use in cardiovascular procedures.
This system provides our cardiologists with superior imaging and surgical precision. It can also put the controls at your bedside, so your doctor doesn't need to step away to review your measurements. With smarter systems like Azurion, our heart experts are better able to treat complex cardiovascular issues to help you heal.
Support and Rehab to Regain Your Rhythm
Adjusting to new medicine and everyday life after interventional treatment can feel overwhelming. But you’ve got this. With support groups and our cardiac rehab program, we'll be with you at every step.
Interventional Cardiology Frequently Asked Questions
Let us help put your mind at ease by answering some of our patients’ most frequently asked questions about interventional cardiology.
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Q:Question: Will I need to take blood thinners after a stent, and for how long?
A:Answer:Yes, you will need to take blood thinners after you receive a stent. The purpose of taking blood-thinning medications is to prevent the stent from clotting and causing a heart attack or stroke.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerPatients who had an emergency stent placed should remain on blood thinners for at least a year, and six months for those who had a nonemergency stent procedure. However, these guidelines may change depending on your specific condition. Be sure to talk with your provider to determine how long you will need to take blood thinners after receiving a stent.
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Q:Question: How do doctors decide whether I need a stent, medication or bypass surgery?
A:Answer:When it comes to deciding whether you need a stent, medication or bypass surgery, your doctor considers several things. The severity and location of your arterial blockages, your overall heart function and the presence of other conditions, like diabetes, are all factored into the decision. Our team of cardiologists will work with you and a multidisciplinary team of specialists to determine which treatment option is right for you.
Continue ReadingCollapse Answer- Bypass Surgery: Suggested if you have blockages in three or more major coronary arteries and if they’re hard, calcified or highly complex blockages
- Medication: Used for mild blockages or when symptoms are stable
- Stent: Ideal for opening one or two blockages
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Q:Question: Can an artery narrow again after angioplasty or stent placement, and what symptoms should I watch for?
A:Answer:Yes, an artery can narrow again after angioplasty or stent placement, known as restenosis. This occurs when scar tissue forms under the stent, narrowing the artery again. For patients who experience restenosis, another angioplasty or heart bypass surgery is required to fix the narrowing.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerWhen it comes to recognizing restenosis, symptoms to watch for include:
- Chest pain
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fatigue and weakness
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Shoulder or arm pain
- Shortness of breath
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Q:Question: When can I drive, return to work, exercise or resume normal activities after my procedure?
A:Answer:Most patients can return home the same day as their procedure or the following day. It typically takes a week for patients to be able to drive, return to work, exercise and resume normal activities. However, if you’re experiencing pain, new or worsening symptoms or feel like you can’t return to everyday activities after a week or two, visit your doctor.
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Q:Question: Will I need cardiac rehab or other follow-up care after angioplasty or stent placement?
A:Answer:It’s highly suggested that patients receive follow-up care after angioplasty or a stent placement, which includes cardiac rehab. This is because a structured and supervised exercise routine helps patients achieve a full recovery, rebuild their heart’s strength and prevent future complications. Other follow-up care you can expect includes taking essential medications, receiving ongoing testing, regular cardiology visits and heart-healthy education and support.
Find Interventional Cardiology Care Near You
When you need lifesaving interventional cardiology care, trust your heart to our experts in the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network. Our teams offer minimally invasive PCI care for STEMI and non-STEMI heart attacks, percutaneous valve replacement procedures and more — all coordinated through a trusted national network. Explore our locations to be ready before you need us, or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.