Minimally Invasive Heart & Vascular Care
Florida Heart & Vascular Institute provides interventional cardiology care for patients with coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, structural heart conditions, and other cardiovascular problems that may benefit from catheter-based treatment.
Our interventional cardiologists use advanced diagnostic information, cardiovascular imaging, and minimally invasive techniques to evaluate circulation, restore blood flow when appropriate, and develop individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s symptoms, anatomy, medical history, and overall health.
What Is Interventional Cardiology?
Interventional cardiology is a specialized area of cardiovascular medicine focused on diagnosing and treating selected heart and blood vessel conditions using minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques.
Rather than requiring a large surgical incision, many interventional procedures are performed through a small vascular access point. A thin catheter can be guided through the blood vessels to evaluate circulation and, when appropriate, treat narrowed arteries, structural heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions.
At Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, interventional cardiology care may include coronary intervention, peripheral vascular intervention, structural heart procedures, and selected catheter-based treatments based on each patient’s clinical needs.
Conditions an Interventional Cardiologist May Evaluate and Treat
Interventional cardiologists commonly care for patients with conditions affecting blood flow through the heart and vascular system.
These may include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Calcified coronary artery disease
- Aortic stenosis
- Mitral valve regurgitation
- Selected structural heart conditions
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
- Atrial fibrillation when left atrial appendage closure is being considered
- Recurrent symptoms after previous coronary intervention
- Cardiovascular conditions requiring advanced catheter-based evaluation
Not every cardiovascular condition requires an interventional procedure. Treatment recommendations depend on symptoms, diagnostic testing, cardiovascular anatomy, medical history, risk factors, and overall health.
When You May Need an Interventional Cardiologist
Interventional cardiology may be recommended when symptoms, diagnostic testing, or a known cardiovascular condition suggest that blood flow to the heart or peripheral arteries may be reduced. An interventional cardiologist can review your symptoms and test results, determine whether additional evaluation, such as cardiac catheterization is appropriate, and discuss catheter-based treatment when needed.
You May Be Referred for Evaluation If You Have:
- Chest discomfort or pressure with activity
- New or worsening shortness of breath
- Known coronary artery disease with changing symptoms
- An abnormal or inconclusive cardiac stress test
- Significant coronary artery narrowing identified on imaging
- Leg pain or circulation problems related to peripheral arterial disease
- Severe aortic stenosis or significant mitral valve disease
- A structural heart condition such as an ASD or PFO
- Atrial fibrillation with concerns related to stroke risk or long-term anticoagulation
- A previous coronary stent or bypass surgery with new cardiovascular symptoms
Emergency Symptoms Require Immediate Care
Call 911 immediately for severe or persistent chest pain, chest pressure with sweating or nausea, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms that may indicate a heart attack. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Interventional Cardiology Services
Interventional cardiology may be recommended when symptoms, diagnostic testing, or a known cardiovascular condition suggest that blood flow to the heart or peripheral arteries may be reduced. An interventional cardiologist can review your symptoms and test results, determine whether additional evaluation, such as cardiac catheterization is appropriate, and discuss catheter-based treatment when needed.
Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting (PCI)
Percutaneous coronary intervention, commonly called PCI, is a catheter-based treatment used for selected narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
During PCI, a small balloon may be used to widen the affected artery. A coronary stent may then be placed to help keep the artery open and improve blood flow to the heart.
PCI may be considered for selected patients with significant coronary artery disease based on symptoms, test results, anatomy, and overall clinical condition.
Coronary Atherectomy
Coronary atherectomy is a specialized catheter-based technique that may be used for selected patients with heavily calcified coronary artery disease.
The procedure can help modify calcified plaque and prepare a narrowed artery for angioplasty or stent placement when appropriate.
The decision to use atherectomy is based on the characteristics of the blockage and the patient’s overall treatment plan.
Peripheral Angioplasty
Peripheral angioplasty is used to treat selected narrowed or blocked arteries outside the heart.
A balloon catheter is positioned within the affected artery and expanded to improve blood flow. Depending on the condition and anatomy, additional treatment may be considered.
Peripheral intervention may be part of the treatment plan for selected patients with peripheral arterial disease and reduced circulation to the limbs.
Peripheral Vascular Intervention
Interventional cardiovascular care may also include catheter-based treatment for selected peripheral vascular conditions.
Treatment decisions are based on symptoms, circulation studies, imaging findings, location of the blockage, anatomy, and the patient’s overall health.
Patients with complex peripheral vascular disease may also be evaluated by an FHVI vascular specialist as part of coordinated cardiovascular care.
Structural Heart Procedures
Some heart conditions involve the valves, chambers, or structural components of the heart rather than the coronary arteries.
For selected patients, structural heart disease may be treated using catheter-based approaches that can reduce the need for traditional open-heart surgery.
Eligibility for structural heart treatment requires careful cardiovascular evaluation and imaging.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
TAVR is a catheter-based procedure used to replace a diseased aortic valve in selected patients with severe aortic stenosis.
A comprehensive evaluation is required before treatment. This may include cardiovascular imaging, assessment of valve anatomy, symptom review, medical history, and evaluation of overall health.
The heart team determines whether TAVR or another treatment approach is appropriate for the individual patient.
MitraClip / Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER)
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, which may be performed using the MitraClip device, is a minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with significant mitral valve regurgitation.
The procedure uses a catheter-delivered device to help the mitral valve close more effectively and reduce abnormal backward blood flow.
Patient selection depends on the type and severity of mitral regurgitation, heart anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, and overall clinical condition.
Watchman / Left Atrial Appendage Closure
Left atrial appendage closure may be considered for selected patients with atrial fibrillation who are at increased risk of stroke and for whom long-term anticoagulation presents specific concerns.
The procedure closes the left atrial appendage, an area where blood clots may form in some patients with atrial fibrillation.
Eligibility depends on individual stroke risk, bleeding risk, medical history, heart anatomy, and the recommendations of the cardiovascular care team.
ASD & PFO Closure
Selected atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) may be treated using catheter-based closure devices.
Whether closure is appropriate depends on the type of defect, cardiovascular anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, medical history, and other clinical factors.
Not every ASD or PFO requires treatment, and evaluation by an experienced cardiovascular specialist is necessary before a procedure is recommended.
Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Interventional Cardiology
Benefits
- Direct Evaluation of Blood Flow: Cardiac catheterization can provide detailed information about narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries.
- Targeted Treatment: Selected blockages may be treated with angioplasty, stenting, or other catheter-based techniques when appropriate.
- Minimally Invasive Approach: Many interventional procedures use a small vascular access point rather than a traditional surgical incision.
- Improved Circulation: Treatment may help restore blood flow through narrowed coronary or peripheral arteries.
- Individualized Care Planning: Treatment decisions are based on symptoms, imaging findings, anatomy, medical history, and overall health.
Risks
- Bleeding or Bruising: Bleeding or bruising can occur at the catheter access site.
- Contrast Reaction or Kidney Stress: Contrast material used during some procedures may cause allergic reactions or affect kidney function in susceptible patients.
- Blood Vessel Injury: Rarely, the catheter or procedure may damage a blood vessel.
- Heart Rhythm or Cardiac Complications: Some procedures may cause abnormal heart rhythms or other cardiovascular complications.
- Rare Serious Complications: Heart attack, stroke, significant bleeding, or other serious complications can occur but are uncommon and should be discussed before treatment.
Concerned About a Heart or Artery Blockage?
If you have chest discomfort, an abnormal cardiac test, known coronary artery disease, or circulation concerns, FHVI can help determine whether interventional evaluation or catheter-based treatment may be appropriate.
Experienced Providers for Catheter-Based Cardiovascular Care
Aalok Dilipkumar Patel, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 10+ Years Experience
- Structural Heart Specialist
Asad Qamar, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 30+ Years of Experience
- Founder & CEO
Claudio F. Manubens, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 25+ Years Experience
- Former Chief of Cardiology
David Edmund Ruggieri, MD
Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 30+ Years Experience
- Interventional Cardiology
Jihad A. Mustapha, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 20+ Years Experience
- Vascular & Limb Salvage Expert
Oji Joseph, MD
Invasive Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 20+ Years Experience
- Interventional Cardiology
Syed Imran Ali, MD
Interventional Cardiologist
- Board Certified
- 20+ Years of Experience
- Peripheral Vascular Specialist
Find an FHVI Interventional Cardiology Location Near You
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Our physicians stay closely involved in evaluation, treatment planning, and follow-up.
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Modern cardiac and vascular testing supports accurate evaluation and informed care decisions.
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Care recommendations are based on each patient’s symptoms, medical history, diagnostic findings, and individual needs.
Minimally Invasive Care Options
When appropriate, FHVI offers catheter-based and other minimally invasive treatment options for selected cardiovascular conditions.
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Multiple FHVI locations help patients access cardiovascular evaluation, testing, treatment, and follow-up closer to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interventional cardiology is a cardiovascular specialty that uses minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures to evaluate and treat selected heart and blood vessel conditions.
Interventional cardiologists commonly evaluate and treat coronary artery disease and narrowed or blocked arteries. Depending on training, patient needs, and available services, they may also treat selected peripheral vascular and structural heart conditions.
Percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, is a catheter-based procedure used to treat selected narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Treatment may involve balloon angioplasty and placement of a coronary stent.
A cardiologist diagnoses and manages heart and cardiovascular conditions. An interventional cardiologist has additional training in catheter-based cardiovascular procedures used to evaluate and treat selected heart and blood vessel conditions.
Structural heart disease refers to conditions involving the heart’s valves, chambers, walls, or other structural components. Selected structural heart conditions may be treated with catheter-based procedures such as TAVR, TEER, left atrial appendage closure, or ASD/PFO closure.
TAVR is a catheter-based treatment used to replace a diseased aortic valve in selected patients with severe aortic stenosis. A cardiovascular evaluation is required to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate.
Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is a catheter-based treatment for selected patients with significant mitral valve regurgitation. MitraClip is one device that may be used during this type of procedure.
Watchman is a type of left atrial appendage closure treatment that may be considered for selected patients with atrial fibrillation who have an increased risk of stroke and specific concerns related to long-term anticoagulation.
Selected atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale may be treated using catheter-based closure devices. Whether closure is appropriate depends on the defect, anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, and individual medical history.
An interventional cardiology evaluation may be appropriate if you have significant coronary artery disease, an abnormal cardiovascular test, progressive symptoms, peripheral arterial disease, structural heart disease, or a referral for consideration of catheter-based treatment.
Cardiac catheterization can be used to evaluate coronary blood flow and identify narrowing or blockages. If you want detailed information about preparation, coronary angiography, the catheterization procedure, vascular access, and recovery, visit FHVI’s Cardiac Cath Lab page.
Coverage varies by insurance plan, procedure, medical necessity, referral requirements, and prior authorization rules. FHVI accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and many commercial insurance plans. Patients should verify their individual benefits before treatment.
Referral and prior authorization requirements vary by insurance plan and clinical situation. Contact FHVI or your health insurance provider to confirm requirements before scheduling.
The information on this page is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Cardiovascular procedures are recommended only after appropriate clinical evaluation.