Catheter-based treatment, explained plainly.
Interventional cardiology treats heart and vascular disease using thin, flexible tubes called catheters, guided into the body through a small opening in the wrist or groin — avoiding open surgery in many cases. Whether any particular procedure is appropriate is a decision made only after individual assessment.
Dr. Ray performing a catheter-based coronary intervention. Most procedures are carried out through a small opening in the wrist or groin — without open surgery.
A diagnostic test that produces detailed X-ray images of the coronary arteries. A contrast dye is introduced through a catheter and, under live X-ray, shows where arteries are narrowed or blocked. It is often the first step in deciding whether treatment is needed and, if so, which kind.
The most common interventional treatment for a narrowed coronary artery. A small balloon is guided to the blockage and inflated to open the artery, and a stent — a fine mesh tube — is usually placed to hold it open. The procedure is performed through the wrist or groin, typically without general anaesthesia.
Some patients have anatomy or circumstances that make angioplasty more challenging — multiple blockages, reduced heart function, or previous bypass surgery. These cases call for greater experience and planning, and are a central part of Dr. Ray's practice.
A chronic total occlusion is a coronary artery that has been completely blocked for a prolonged period. Reopening it requires specialised techniques and equipment, and is among the more technically demanding procedures in the field. Success can relieve symptoms and improve blood supply to the affected part of the heart.
Where a coronary artery divides into two branches, a blockage at the fork must be treated in a way that keeps both branches open. Dr. Ray developed the Nanocrush technique specifically for these bifurcation lesions — a refined stenting approach for one of interventional cardiology's more difficult problems.
When an artery is heavily hardened by calcium, a balloon alone may not be able to open it. Rotational atherectomy uses a tiny, high-speed rotating burr to gently remove the calcified plaque and prepare the artery for stenting. Dr. Ray is a certified international proctor in this technique.
Intravascular ultrasound places a miniature ultrasound probe inside the artery itself, giving a detailed cross-sectional view from within. It allows the cardiologist to measure the vessel precisely and confirm that a stent is correctly sized and fully expanded — improving the accuracy of treatment.
During a heart attack, a coronary artery is suddenly blocked and heart muscle is at risk. Primary angioplasty is emergency treatment to reopen the artery as quickly as possible and restore blood flow. Speed matters greatly — which is why recognising the warning signs and reaching hospital without delay is so important.
Narrowing does not only affect the heart. The same catheter-based techniques can treat blocked arteries elsewhere in the body, such as those supplying the legs, relieving pain and improving circulation.