Interventional Cardiology

Interventional Cardiology Overview

The cardiology team at Hattiesburg Clinic offers patients across Mississippi access to the most advanced minimally invasive heart treatments through our interventional cardiology program. Interventional cardiologists are trained to diagnose and treat heart and vascular diseases by threading a tiny catheter—a tiny tube—into a vein or artery.

These non-surgical treatments treat complex heart and vascular conditions, often in an outpatient setting with limited recovery time and pain because they are non-surgical. We perform many of these procedures at the Ambulatory Cardiovascular Center of Mississippi, which is the state’s first outpatient surgery center for heart patients.

Conditions We Treat
Hardened, Narrowed or Blocked Arteries
Arrhythmia and Atrial Fibrillation (aFib)
Heart Failure, Heart Attacks and Critical Blockages
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Conditions We Treat

Our interventional cardiology team specializes in minimally invasive treatments for the following heart and vascular conditions:

Hardened and narrowed arteries
Arrhythmia and Atrial Fibrillation (aFib)
Heart failure, heart attacks and critical blockages
Structural heart diseases, including aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve disease, atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO)
Venous disease
Peripheral arterial disease
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism

Hardened, Narrowed or Blocked Arteries

Atherosclerosis is a condition that describes the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which can cause plaque to build up and eventually block the flow of blood to the heart or other areas of the body. When this happens, it can cause long-term and even serious complications, which is why early intervention is important.

Cardiac Catheterization

A catheterization test may be used to see how a patient’s heart functions or if there are any issues. A catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel and positioned properly. Dye is then inserted to give a better visual on X-rays. The doctor is then able to better diagnose issues with the patient’s heart. This procedure is minimally invasive, and patients rarely feel pain.

Angioplasty & Stenting

Angioplasty is a catheter-based procedure that opens the blocked arteries to restore normal blood flow to the patient’s heart. Typically, the patient does not feel any pain, as the arteries do not have any nerves. Once the catheter is positioned and the blockage is found, a tiny balloon is positioned and then inflated. When the balloon is inflated, it flattens the plaque, and when complete, the catheter is removed.

Sometimes a stent may be placed during an angioplasty procedure. Stents often open narrow arteries, help avoid a heart attack and reduce heart disease-related symptoms such as chest pain. Stenting is a mildly invasive procedure compared to other procedures, such as bypass surgery.

During the procedure, a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the artery and delivered to the blockage or narrow artery. Once there, a wire mesh tub is inserted to hold the artery open and encourage blood flow. The stent stays in the artery permanently.

Atherectomy

Atherectomy is very similar to angioplasty, but it varies in that it uses additional tools to remove the plaque from the walls. Hattiesburg Clinic utilizes orbital, laser, rotational and lithotripsy atherectomy.

Coronary Thrombectomy

Thrombectomy is utilized to remove a blood clot by inserting a catheter through the arteries to the location of the clot. If the clot is large, it is broken up and smaller pieces are removed. If the clot is smaller, the clot will be aspirated into a tube.

Arrhythmia and Atrial Fibrillation (aFib)

Irregular heartbeat is a common condition that can have serious complications if left untreated. If you have an irregular heartbeat, it is important to see an electrophysiologist regularly to determine whether medication management, a minimally invasive interventional procedure or heart surgery may be the best treatment plan. Learn more about arrhythmia treatment at Hattiesburg Clinic.

Cardioversion

During a cardioversion procedure, a patient will be sedated, then paddles will be placed on the chest to deliver a mild electrical shock to help the heart return to a normal rhythm. Cardioversion does not always completely resolve arrhythmia, and medication or a pacemaker may also be suggested to manage the heart’s rhythm.

Pacemaker/Defibrillator Implantation

A pacemaker uses electrical pulses to control abnormal heartbeats, telling the heart to slow down or speed up. A defibrillator monitors the heartbeat and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm only when it detects an irregularity. The procedure to have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted is a minor procedure and most patients can return to normal activities within a week.

Heart Failure, Heart Attacks and Critical Blockages

Interventional cardiologists also support patients through serious cardiac events, like heart attacks and critical artery blockages.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) and the Impella Pump

Typically performed as an emergency procedure, PCI involves an interventional cardiologist threading a tiny catheter into an artery or vein to restore blood flow through a blocked artery. Our cardiologists at Hattiesburg Clinic may also utilize the Impella heart pump to help support a patient who is experiencing cardiogenic shock following a heart attack or an open-heart surgery.

Intra-Aortic Balloon (IABP)

When a patient has a serious cardiac event, they may experience a condition called cardiogenic shock, which happens when your heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. If this happens, our interventional cardiologists may utilize an intra-aortic balloon to help increase and stabilize the blood flow from your aorta through your body.

A balloon attached to the end of a catheter is inserted into the aorta, which is the large artery leaving the heart. The balloon will inflate with helium when the heart relaxes. IABP is a short-term treatment, and the patient will need to be evaluated for a more permanent treatment once they have stabilized.

Choose Hattiesburg Clinic

Hattiesburg Clinic cardiologists offer advanced treatment options and outstanding expertise to patients across Mississippi who need anything from routine or preventive cardiology care to more advanced interventions. Our comprehensive program gives patients access to leading therapies and the latest advancements in care.