Aster Hospital, Bangalore, is a leading healthcare institution providing world-class medical facilities and services to needy patients. The hospital has a dedicated pediatric interventional cardiology team specializing in using minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart diseases in children.
For children with congenital heart defects, Aster Hospital's interventional cardiology team offers minimally invasive treatment options through cardiac catheterization, resulting in shorter recovery times. The team performs these procedures in an advanced cardiac catheterization lab equipped with state-of-the- art imaging technology to guide the catheter through the blood vessels.
During cardiac catheterization, an interventional cardiologist navigates a catheter through the blood vessels, typically through a small cut in the groin area, neck, or wrist, using imaging to guide the catheter. This procedure enables cardiologists to measure blood pressure, assess oxygen saturation levels and blood flow, analyze heart's structure, and treat various congenital heart conditions.
Children preparing for or undergoing a heart or lung transplant may need a cardiac catheterization to examine their hearts, and the highly skilled interventional cardiology team at Aster Hospital, Bangalore, is equipped to provide the necessary care and treatment for such cases.
Health Conditions Treated
- Aortic Stenosis (AS)
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
- Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and many more
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
What is pediatric interventional cardiology?
Pediatric interventional cardiology involves using catheters and other specialized instruments to access the heart. Experts in the field perform procedures such as closing holes in the heart, widening narrowed blood vessels, and repairing heart defects. This field requires specialized training and expertise in pediatric cardiology and interventional techniques. The goal is to provide children with effective and safe treatments while minimizing pain, discomfort, and recovery time.
What are the devices used in interventional cardiology?
Interventional cardiology involves using various devices and equipment, such as angioplasty balloons, stents, catheters, and plaque modification tools. These devices are used to perform procedures that help treat heart conditions.
What transcatheter techniques are adapted from adult practice in interventional pediatric cardiology?
Transcatheter treatments have evolved by adapting various techniques from adult procedures. These techniques include balloon dilatation, stent implantation, and coil occlusion. These methods have been modified and proven effective in treating many conditions.
What are the two most common cardiac interventional procedures?
One of the most frequently performed interventional cardiology procedures is catheterization. It involves inserting a sheath into either the groin or wrist artery and then passing a catheter to the heart. The catheter is used to open blocked arteries using either a balloon (angioplasty) or a stent (a metal sleeve that propels the artery from within).
Are interventional cardiologists surgeons?
A cardiac surgeon is responsible for surgeries involving cutting into a patient's tissues. In contrast, an interventional cardiologist completes procedures that do not include surgery because they insert a catheter without making any incisions into the patient. Similarly, a general cardiologist does not perform surgeries.
What does a pediatric interventional cardiologist do?
A pediatric interventional cardiologist is a specialized physician who focuses on diagnosis and management of heart conditions in children using minimally invasive procedures. They use catheters and other small instruments to access the heart through blood vessels rather than making large incisions. It allows for quicker recovery times, less pain, and fewer complications. Their procedures include:
- Repairing holes in the heart
- Opening blocked blood vessels
- Placing stents to keep blood vessels open
They work closely with other medical professionals to provide comprehensive care for their young patients.
What is the most common procedure performed by interventional cardiologists?
One of the most frequently performed interventional cardiology procedures is catheterization. It entails inserting a sheath into either the groin or wrist artery. A catheter is then passed through to the heart, which can be used to inflate a balloon (angioplasty) or insert a metal sleeve (stent) to open up a blocked artery from the inside.
How are interventional procedures operated?
During these procedures, live X-rays and, occasionally, ultrasound are employed to ensure precision and accuracy. In most instances, local anesthetic is administered, although rare cases necessitate general anesthesia.
Who is in the interventional team?
The team responsible for interventions consists of:
- Advanced care providers
- Anesthesiologists
- Doctors
- Nurse practitioners
- Nurses with expertise in caring for children with heart defects
- Registered specialists in cardiovascular invasiveness
Differentiate between a cardiologist and an interventional cardiologist.
An interventional cardiologist is a specialized medical professional with deep knowledge and training for one to two years beyond the standard medical degree. Their focus is on accurately identifying and effectively treating various cardiovascular conditions, including those present from birth or related to structural abnormalities of the heart. They accomplish this through advanced catheter-based procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
When it comes to children, their smaller hearts and blood vessels mean that they need specialized sedation and monitoring during medical procedures. It is due to their size, age, and ability to cooperate. Aster's interventional cardiology team consists of specifically trained cardiologists, nurses, and anesthesiologists to cater to the unique needs of children, including those born prematurely or with low birth weights.
Aster's interventional cardiology team provides a range of treatments for diverse heart conditions, which include but are not limited to:
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Atrial septal defect
- Narrowed or leaky conduits
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Pulmonary artery and valve stenosis
- Surgical baffle leaks
- Systemic and pulmonary vein stenosis
- Ventricular septal defect
At Aster, our skilled interventional cardiologists have expertise in conducting cardiac
catheterization procedures for children. These include the following:
- Atrial septoplasty is a surgical procedure that may be considered for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension and receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment.
- Balloon dilation or stent implantation is used to treat coarctation of the aorta.
- Balloon valvuloplasty of all cardiac valves.
- Percutaneous patent arterial duct closure.
- Reopening entirely blocked blood vessels or valves that are closed off using radiofrequency perforation.
- Some examples of hybrid therapies for small infants include perventricular closure of muscular VSDs, hybrid palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), and intraoperative stent placement.
- A balloon atrial septostomy procedure is performed to enhance the mixing of oxygen within the heart.
- The Impella procedure involves the placement of Impella ventricular support systems to aid in cases of left and right ventricular dysfunction.
- Transcatheter valve implantation.
- Treatment of narrowed arteries and veins with stent implantation or balloon angioplasty. This procedure is also effective for opening the pulmonary arteries, aorta, and other vascular structures.
- We perform device closures for atrial and ventricular septal defects, patent foramen ovale (PFO), and Fontan fenestrations.
Your child can benefit from the most advanced cardiac techniques and technologies at Aster Hospitals. We offer various support services to help you effectively manage your care. Our team has played a vital role in developing groundbreaking interventional heart therapies for individuals with congenital heart disease. Furthermore, we are currently evaluating favourable new treatments through clinical trials.
