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Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Elective and Emergency Angioplasty)

Quick Info

Elective angioplasty:

Monday – Friday
6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Most insurance plans are accepted.

Emergency angioplasty:

Available on an as-needed basis
Scheduling is made through your cardiologist
most insurance plans accepted

Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

At the Active International Cardiovascular Institute, we offer angioplasty and cardiac catheterization in a highly advanced cardiac catheterization lab. We’ve saved thousands of lives in our region.
Cardiac catheterization
is used to examine the heart and its arteries and valves, take sample tissue, perform measurements and tests, or help determine if the patient needs heart surgery.

Angioplasties are used to treat blockages caused by heart disease.

During an angioplasty, a physician (called an interventionalist) inserts a balloon-tipped catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into an incision in the patient’s groin or arm. Using X-rays to guide it, the interventionalist carefully moves the catheter up into the heart. He can also locate and treat blockages caused by heart disease.

To treat a blockage, the interventionalist inflates a tiny balloon at the top of the catheter and stretches the artery open. The physician may also insert a stent—a wire mesh tube that expands, locks in position, and stays in the patient’s artery permanently to help keep blood, oxygen and nutrients flowing. Once the catheter is removed, the procedure is over.

Ready to Help— With Both Elective and Emergency Procedures

Emergency angioplasty is performed on heart attack victims, brought to the hospital, who need immediate care. The procedure helps open clogged arteries and keeps blood, oxygen and nutrients flowing to the heart muscle, often saving the patient’s life. In some cases, emergency angioplasty helps determine if the patient needs open heart surgery.

Elective angioplasty is similar to emergency angioplasty, except that it is performed as a preventive measure against heart attacks. It is performed on an elective basis, based on a patient’s symptoms (chest pains, EKG readings and more).

An Exceptional Program, Under Exceptional Leadership

Our Cardiac Catheterization Lab is under the direction of Cary Hirsch, MD, a noted expert in these procedures. Dr. Hirsch and his team bring decades of live-saving experience to their patients.