Interventional Cardiology

Revascularization Procedures

In interventional cardiology, revascularization procedures restore healthy blood flow to areas affected by obstructions, narrowing or disease. When blood flow is disrupted, the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen and its ability to pump blood throughout the body is diminished. If left untreated, this can lead to serious complications and increase the risk of a heart attack or arrhythmia, as well as decrease your overall quality of life with symptoms that include neck or jaw pain, shortness of breath and fatigue. Interventional cardiology addresses these concerns with revascularization procedures that open up blocked or narrowed arteries to improve blood flow to the heart. The most common revascularization procedures are angioplasty, atherectomy or stenting.

• Angioplasty — Also known as balloon angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), angioplasty opens up blood vessels that are narrowed or have a buildup of plaque. By inserting a catheter fitted with a small balloon into the affected arteries, Dr. Bouknight can widen them to restore blood flow without extensive surgery.
• Atherectomy — Atherectomy also improves blood flow in blocked arteries, but does so by removing plaque from artery walls instead of using an inflatable balloon to widen blood vessels. This is accomplished by inserting a catheter fitted with a small device into the affected arteries, which Dr. Bouknight uses to safely scrape away blockages. Depending on your condition, atherectomy may be combined with angioplasty and stents for an optimal outcome.
• Stenting — A stent is a small mesh tube that is used to keep arteries open and improve blood flow. Often placed during angioplasty, stents integrate into the arteria wall and become a permanent fixture that helps prevent future blockages.

The revascularization technique that is right for you will depend on your particular condition and cause of arterial obstruction. Dr. Bouknight will discuss your treatment options and thoroughly explain each procedure before proceeding, ensuring the best approach for improving blood flow in affected areas.      

Pacemakers

In addition to revascularization procedures, a pacemaker can also be implanted using minimally-invasive techniques. A pacemaker is a small medical device that detects your heart’s activity and sends electrical pulses to maintain a normal heartbeat. These are usually permanent and treat conditions such as arrhythmia or heart failure, but temporary pacemakers are also used after a heart attack or surgery to ensure that your heart is beating properly.

Inserting a pacemaker is a relatively minor procedure that typically doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. First, the wires or leads that will connect to the pacemaker are guided through a vein in the upper chest and into the heart. Once in place, the device itself will be connected and inserted beneath the skin through a small incision. The pacemaker will then be tested and the incision closed. Depending on the type of pacemaker being inserted, the entire procedure may last 60 to 90 minutes.

Your pacemaker will be programmed specifically for you and work in response to your heart’s needs. It won’t interfere with your daily life but will require periodic monitoring to ensure that it is working properly. You will also receive detailed aftercare instructions to ensure the best possible result, along with recommendations that will help you maintain awareness of your pacemaker and continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle. If you have questions or concerns during any point in your treatment, Dr. Bouknight and his team will be available to address them either over the phone or in office. At Carolina Cardiology, your long-term health and wellness is our top priority and we’re committed to providing the high-quality care you need to feel your best.