The Cardiac Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a relatively new procedure that has transformed cardiology over the past few decades. It gives physicians the ability to diagnose and treat certain types of heart problems in a minimally invasive manner, in some cases eliminating the need for more invasive procedures.
The Cardiac Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach Counties performing pediatric cardiac catheterization, and it is staffed with some of the region’s most experienced pediatric interventional cardiologists. These physicians and their support personnel have an expert understanding of cardiac anatomy in infants and children.
The Cardiac Center's catheterization suite has the distinction of being the first “hybrid” suite in the region capable of supporting procedures that combine catheterization with surgery.
How Does Cardiac Catheterization Work?
A catheter is a thin, flexible, hollow tube that can be inserted into the
blood vessels and advanced into or around the patient’s heart. The cardiologist
gently guides the catheter on its journey, using fluoroscopic imaging to
help “see” the way and record important information about the patient’s
cardiovascular system.
Using catheters in conjunction with other medical devices and equipment, doctors can perform a variety of tasks, such as repair congenital heart defects, obtain tissue samples for a biopsy, or insert stents into blood vessels that need to be widened for improved circulation.
Because catheterization has so many therapeutic applications, it is often referred to as an “interventional” procedure, meaning it allows physicians to intervene in the progression of a disease while it is still early in its course.
Advantages of Cardiac Catheterization
Catheterization is less invasive than major surgery and generally poses fewer
risks. It is also far less painful, with patients typically requiring only
a sedative and a local anesthetic.
“With many interventional procedures, the child’s recovery time is shorter
than with surgery, and with less scarring than is typical with surgery,”
says
Mark Boucek, MD, Director
of Pediatric Cardiovascular Services at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Newborn babies, in particular, have benefited greatly from the availability
of catheter-based procedures in the treatment of congenital heart defects,
as they are especially vulnerable to suffering brain injury as a complication
of open heart surgery.
“With interventional procedures, that risk is substantially less, so that’s one of the biggest pushes to advance interventional techniques, particularly in young children,” he adds.
Combining Catheterization with Open Heart Surgery
Given the sheer complexity and variety of congenital heart conditions,
patients often
benefit the most when they are treated from a multidisciplinary, evidence-based
approach. That’s why The Cardiac Center’s physicians work
as a team to
develop a unique treatment plan for each and every patient. On
a case-by-case
basis, they determine if a patient can be treated with an interventional
procedure alone, or if surgery will be required.
In some instances, a young patient may be treated with an interventional procedure early on, followed by open heart surgery at a later date, when he or she is older and better able to withstand the rigors of the operation. In other instances, patients may undergo hybrid procedures in which surgical and interventional procedures are performed together.
“We work with surgeons to determine which things are best done in the catheterization lab — and at which age — and plan for surgery at the optimum age. The goal is for newborns to progress to young adults with minimal procedures and risk, and maximum benefit,” says Dr. Boucek.
Interventional Research
Clinical trials for interventional devices and surgical valves are ongoing.
Newer studies designed to treat heart defects, migraines, and even prevent
strokes are being developed. For more information
about clinical trials or research projects at the cardiac center, contact Mark
Boucek, MD, or Frank Scholl, MD.
Learn More About Hybrid Procedures
Learn More About Cardiac Catheterization In Younger Children
Learn More About Cardiac Catheterization In Older Children and Adults
