interventiecardioloog

An interventiecardioloog is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of heart conditions. This subspecialty of cardiology focuses on using catheters and wires to access blocked or narrowed arteries, valves, or chambers of the heart. Interventiecardiologen perform procedures such as angioplasty, where a balloon is used to widen a narrowed artery, often followed by the placement of a stent to keep the artery open. They also treat conditions like valvular heart disease through transcatheter procedures, such as TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation).

The training for an interventiecardioloog involves completing medical school, followed by a residency in internal medicine and then a fellowship in cardiology. This is further followed by an advanced fellowship specifically in interventional cardiology. They work in cardiac catheterization laboratories, often referred to as cath labs, which are equipped with advanced imaging technology to guide their procedures. These interventions are typically performed under local anesthesia and sedation, leading to shorter recovery times compared to traditional open-heart surgery. Their role is crucial in managing acute coronary syndromes like heart attacks and treating chronic cardiovascular diseases.