Invasive and Non Invasive Cardiac Procedures

Cardiology is a vast medical field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the cardiovascular system, which includes your heart and blood vessels.

Cardiology includes two primary categories: invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures. 

While non-invasive cardiac procedures involve diagnostic procedures and tests that usually do not involve direct penetrations or large incisions in the body, invasive cardiac procedures involve the use of surgical incisions and catheterization methods to ensure a direct assessment and intervention of the vascular system and the heart’s internal parts.

What Is Invasive Cardiology?

Invasive cardiology involves the use of open or minimally invasive surgical techniques to detect or treat structural or electrical abnormalities within the structure of the heart.

Common Types of Invasive Cardiology Techniques

Invasive cardiology procedures generally involve the use of incisions and may include the following different types of procedures:

• Angioplasty: Also known as balloon angioplasty, this procedure involves the insertion of a tube known as a catheter with a balloon on one end through a small incision in the arm, wrist, or groin region. The catheter is guided to the heart region where there is a blocked artery. The balloon is then inflated to help open the blocked artery and restore the blood flow to the heart.

• Stenting: An angioplasty procedure is often followed with the placement of a small mesh tube, known as a stent, into the artery to help it stay open.

• Atherectomy: The procedure involves the use of a special type of catheter designed to remove the plaque (fat and cholesterol deposits) from the coronary (heart) arteries through the catheter itself or grinding it up into small pieces to wash it away safely through the bloodstream.
• Electrophysiology studies: A different kind of cathode with electrodes is used in this test to measure the electrical currents of the heart and check where the heart is damaged, as well as the possible cause of heart arrhythmias.

• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement: This device helps monitor the heart rhythm and delivers electric current to restore the regular heart heartbeat.

• Pacemaker placement: This device prevents the heart from slowing down too much. It also helps in checking the heart rhythm and increases it when required.

• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): This procedure involves using a device like a stent to make a wider opening in the aortic valve.

• MitraClip: This is a new kind of device used for the correction of mitral valve regurgitation (when the mitral valve does not close completely), which is a common heart valve disorder. A catheter is used for placing a clip on the mitral valve to help it close better.

What Is Non-Invasive Cardiology?

Non-invasive cardiology includes the identification of heart problems without using any fluids, needles, or other medical instruments that need to be inserted into the body.

Common Types of Non-Invasive Cardiology Techniques

Non-invasive cardiology procedures do not require incisions or cutting of the skin and may involve the following common techniques:

• Chest X-rays: Cardiovascular health can be assessed using chest X-rays as they help obtain a direct view of the heart and the lungs.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test helps measure the heart’s electrical activity to check for arrhythmias and detection of past heart attacks.

• Echocardiography: This test involves the use of an ultrasound to visualize the heart’s structure and function, and view its blood pumping action.

• Heart score test: The calcium levels in the arterial plaque around the heart can be measured using this test. It helps assess the risk of developing a heart attack or stroke in the future.

• Exercise and stress tests: The test helps in checking how the heart functions under exertion.
• Nuclear cardiology: Various imaging tests are done using radioactive elements to diagnose cardiovascular disorders.

• Heart monitors: Devices like a Holter monitor or cardiac event recorder may help in recording the electrical activity of the heart when worn over a period of time.

• Cardiac CT and MRI scans: They help produce clear images of the heart to diagnose heart diseases and atherosclerosis.

• Lifestyle changes: Non-invasive cardiology techniques also involve making the necessary lifestyle changes, wellness coaching, and other preventive cardiology techniques.

Invasive and Non invasive Cardiac Procedures

At Heart360 Care in Chennai, our consultant heart specialist and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Nikhil P.J.Theckumparampil, offers all types of cardiac techniques, including invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures using the latest medical technology and equipment.

We understand the importance of heart health and offer all the necessary steps needed to maintain a healthy heart and improve the general health of our patients at Heart360 Care.

Difference Between Invasive and Non-Invasive Cardiology

The differences between invasive and non-invasive cardiology are as follows;

	Invasive Cardiology	Non-Invasive Cardiology
1.	Insertion of needles, fluids, or other medical instruments to treat heart issues.	No insertion of needles, fluids, or other medical instruments.
2.	Usually performed to diagnose and treat various heart conditions.	Usually done to diagnose various heart problems in patients who have symptoms like chest pain.
3.	Examples of invasive cardiology procedures include angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, electrophysiology studies, ICD, pacemaker, TAVR, and MitraClip.	Examples of non-invasive cardiology procedures include chest X-rays, ECG, echocardiography, heart score tests, stress tests, nuclear cardiology, heart monitors, cardiac CT scans, cardiac MRI scans, and other preventive cardiology methods.
4.	Most patients need a few days of hospitalization after an invasive cardiac procedure.	Most patients do not require hospitalization and can go home after a non-invasive cardiac procedure.
5.	The patient may need a few days of rest and follow post-procedure instructions after undergoing an invasive procedure.	Most patients do not need any rest and can resume their normal activities almost immediately after a non-invasive procedure.
6.	Higher risk of developing complications.	Lesser risk of developing complications.

Advantages of Invasive and Non-Invasive Cardiac Procedures

Both invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures have different purposes and their own set of benefits and risks. 

The various advantages of invasive cardiac procedures are:

• Better precision
• Treatment of various heart problems
• Relief from heart-related symptoms
• Improved heart health
• Improved quality of life

The various advantages of non-invasive cardiac procedures are:

• Lower risk of developing complications
• Comfortable and convenient procedures
• Cost-effective procedures
• Early diagnosis of cardiovascular issues
• Quick recovery 
• Shorter or no hospital stay
• No scarring
• Minimal or no pain and discomfort

Conclusion

Advances in cardiology have led to the introduction of several invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures that have helped in the diagnosis and management of several cardiovascular problems.

Both invasive and non-invasive procedures have their own goals and benefits. While non-invasive cardiac procedures are generally recommended to identify heart-related problems, invasive cardiac procedures are recommended to treat the heart condition.You should book a consultation appointment with a good cardiologist or cardiac surgeon like Dr. Nikhil P.J.Theckumparampil from Heart360 Care in Chennai if you have any symptoms indicating a heart condition. Dr. Nikhil is an experienced heart specialist offering the right guidelines and treatment for your heart condition enabling you to lead an improved quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions