Interventional cardiology treats heart and vessel disease through catheters, thin, flexible tubes passed through an artery in the wrist or groin, so that open surgery is not needed in many cases. It is best known for opening blocked coronary arteries, but it also treats valves and certain holes in the heart.

Patients looking for an interventional cardiologist in Mumbai at Apex are first assessed with an ECG, echocardiogram and, where required, an angiogram. The cardiologist then explains whether stenting, a bypass operation or medicines alone will serve the patient best. Emergency cases such as a heart attack are treated without delay.

After a procedure, patients are monitored in the unit, and most return to light activity within days. Medicines such as blood thinners are essential after stenting and must not be stopped without advice.

Interventional cardiology services include:

• Coronary PCI and Angioplasty: Balloon opening of blocked heart arteries with stent placement, performed electively for angina or urgently for heart attack, with the aim of restoring blood flow quickly.
• Atherectomy and Thrombectomy: Removal or modification of dense calcified plaque and extraction of fresh clots from arteries so that stents can be placed more safely in difficult blockages.
• Valve Interventions: Balloon valvuloplasty to widen stiff valves and catheter-based replacement or repair of the aortic and mitral valves in carefully selected patients after team review.
• Left Atrial Appendage and Defect Closure: Device closure of the left atrial appendage to lower stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and of PFO and ASD holes through a catheter.