Haemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology

What we do

Haemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology is part of Cardiology Operational Unit.There are two next generation Angiography Rooms (flat-panel): one for Interventional Cardiology and the other for electrophysiology.

The service specializes in diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of:

• Complex coronary diseases, also for high-risk patients with coronary angioplasty;
• Valve diseases: aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, pulmonary stenosis (percutaneous valvuloplasty);
• Congenital heart diseases in adults: interatrial, interventricular septal defects, PFO, Botallo’s duct, etc.;
• Primitive cardiac muscle diseases: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Haemodynamics service is characterized by the most modern and sophisticated approaches for diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and by modern technology for the following exams:

• Cardiac catheterization;
• Selective coronary arteriography;
• Intravascular coronary imaging (IVUS, OCT);
• Functional assessment of coronary anatomy (FFR, iFR);
• Selective angiography of cardiac chambers and great vessels (ventriculography, aortography).

Interventional procedures performed:

• Simple and complex coronary angioplasty with stent placement (last versions of medicated stents -DES- and biodegradable stents -BVS-);
• Rotational coronary atherectomy for calcified vessels;
• Percutaneous closure of intracardiac shunts (interatrial and interventricular sect defects, patent foramen ovale – PFO, patent Botallo’s duct;
• Isthmic stenosis of the aorta;
• Aortic, pulmonary and mitral valvuloplasty;
• Atrial appendage closure for patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindications to oral anticoagulant therapy;
• Alcohol ablation of interventricular sept in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• Pericardiocentesis.

Particularly important in this area are: coronary angioplasty procedures in high-risk patients, in complex procedures and in patients with acute myocardial infarction (Primary Angioplasty). Our centre is part of a regional network for treatment of acute myocardial infarction with primary angioplasty and ready availability H24 for 365 days a year.. Primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction is the best approach to reduce heart damage and patient mortality.

Our team is also experienced in the use of cardiocirculatory support instruments, such as aortic counterpulsation in urgent or elective procedures of coronary angioplasty in patients with reduced heart activity.