Forsyth Cardiac and Vascular Center has three dedicated, state-of-the-art, cardiac catheterization labs. This equipment has allowed more than 33,000 patients to benefit from rapidly advancing technology in the diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening coronary artery blockages. The experience of our dedicated staff and excellent board-certified cardiologists have caused our Catheterization Lab to become a regional referral center, accepting patients from throughout the piedmont and mountain regions of North Carolina and Virginia.
Offered through Forsyth Cardiac and Vascular Center:
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Diagnostic Coronary Angiography
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Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
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Coronary Artery Stent Rotoblator
Diagnostic Coronary Angiography
A procedure in which a long hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the femoral artery in the patient's groin and threaded through the blood vessels into the heart. Dye is then injected into the heart's arteries, allowing the cardiologist to view the blood flow inside of the arteries and identify any blockages that may need to be treated.
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
A therapeutic procedure in which a long hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the femoral artery in the patient's groin and threaded through the blood vessels into the heart. A tiny inflatable balloon is then advanced through the catheter to the site of the blockage within the coronary artery. The balloon is then inflated numerous times, compressing the plaque that caused the blockage into the side of the artery wall, restoring blood flow. PTCA is frequently performed in conjunction with diagnostic coronary angiography.
Coronary Artery Stent
A therapeutic procedure similar to PTCA; however, instead of a balloon being solely used to compress the plaque into the artery wall, a thin metal cylinder with expandable struts is inserted with the balloon. The balloon is inflated, causing the stent to expand so that the struts embed themselves in the artery wall, thereby allowing the vessels to remain open and provide optimal blood flow to the rest of the heart. This procedure often results in better long-term results than PTCA alone.
Rotoblator
A therapeutic procedure in which a long hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the femoral artery in the patient?s groin, and threaded through the blood vessels into the heart. A small diamond-tipped burr is then advanced on the catheter to the site of the blockage in the coronary artery. As the burr spins through the artery, the plaque is pulverized. This procedure is particularly useful for hardened, calcified blockages.
New procedure increases comfort for patient after heart catheterization
Patients in The Cardiac and Vascular Center's Catheterization Lab may benefit from a new procedure which closes the groin insertion site of the catheter much more effectively and comfortably using a suture stitch to close the puncture site in the artery as opposed to manual pressure at the site. Before, patients were required to maintain bedrest with high pressure on the site for 8-24 hours after the procedure to ensure that bleeding did not occur. With the new closure device, patients can be up and out of bed and walking around within 2 hours after the procedure. While this method of treatment is not appropriate for everyone, it represents a major advance in care of heart catheterization patients who are able to take advantage of it.
