Interventional cardiologists in New Mexico
When you need interventional cardiovascular care, you deserve the best possible treatments available. Interventional cardiologists focus on treating damaged vessels, weakened heart valves, and narrowed arteries, all of which can be caused by various types of heart disease. At the Heart Hospital of New Mexico, located at Lovelace Medical Center, our surgeons choose minimally invasive cardiology procedures whenever possible to treat conditions like heart valve disease and coronary artery disease. Your heart health is always our priority, and we work around the clock to bring you high quality cardiovascular care. Our team is ready to speak with you about your heart’s health, and help you make a plan for your long term wellness.
Cardiovascular conditions we treat
The heart is a complex organ, and can be affected by a number of different conditions that prevent it from working properly. Some of the most common conditions treated at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico include:
- Atherosclerosis
- Cardiac ischemia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart defects and disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Microvascular heart disease
No matter your condition, our interventional cardiologists are committed to ensuring you deserve the best treatment possible so you can live a long and healthy life.
Cardiac catheterization
Interventional cardiologists specialize in a procedure known as cardiac catheterization. In this procedure, a very thin, flexible tube (catheter) is delicately threaded into and through an artery to find and address cardiovascular conditions. Cardiac catheterization is also used to perform diagnostic testing to evaluate arteries and heart valve function.
The procedure is minimally invasive and rarely requires anything more than mild sedation to help you feel more relaxed during the operation itself. Recovery is quick with only minor discomfort, and provides you with high quality results without the stress and strain of more invasive procedures.
Our catheterization labs are equipped with:
- Roto-blade procedure technology
- Superior digital imaging capabilities
- Upgraded hemodynamic monitoring systems
- Various drug-eluting stents
Cardiac catheters can be inserted through the femoral artery in the groin or through the radial artery in the wrist. There are pros and cons to each method, but the radial procedure greatly reduces the risk of bleeding and offers a quicker recovery time for patients. Our interventional cardiologists are highly skilled in performing cardiac catheterizations. Talk to your doctor about whether this procedure is right for you.
Our interventional cardiology services
Cardiac catheterization allows our specialists to perform a wide range of minimally invasive treatments that are designed with precision in mind. Some of the procedures our interventional cardiologists regularly perform include:
- Arterial stenting
- Atrial septal defect repair
- Balloon angioplasty
- Cardiac ablation
- Coronary and left ventricular digital angiography
- Coronary angioplasty
- Coronary atherectomy
- Coronary intravascular ultrasound
- Implantation of cardiac devices, such as Pacemaker and CardioMEMs
- Peripheral angioplasty
- Right and left heart catheterization
- Rotational atherectomy
- Thrombectomy
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
- Valvuloplasty
Please call us to learn more about our interventional cardiovascular procedures.
Our cardiogenic shock program
The Cardiogenic Shock Program at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico is the only program of its kind in the Southwest. Our team of cardiogenic shock experts strive to be the premier heart recovery center in the region, offering multi-disciplinary services to facilitate early shock recognition and treatment, including the need for timely mechanical support.
What is cardiogenic shock?
Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition in which the heart is in a low cardiac output state, resulting in end-organ hypo-perfusion and hypoxia. Most commonly, cardiogenic shock happens because of a severe heart attack but may also occur due to other illnesses. Regardless of cause, if not treated promptly, the condition can become fatal or cause serious complications.
The following conditions may lead to cardiogenic shock:
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Heart failure
- Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis)
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Pericardial tamponade
- Arrhythmias
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
How is cardiogenic shock diagnosed?
Cardiogenic shock is often difficult to diagnose in a timely manner, that is why we have implemented a cardiogenic shock program, which will expedite multidisciplinary discussions to initiate the life-saving protocols that will minimize the variations in care regarding evaluation, management and the use of an appropriate hemodynamic support device, when appropriate.
Most patients presenting with cardiogenic shock are presenting with signs and symptoms of an acute heart attack or with congestive heart failure.
Other clinical criteria for cardiogenic shock
- Systolic blood pressure <90mm Hg for > 30 min
- Lactate >2 mmol/L
- Evidence of end organ hypoperfusion: acute kidney injury/acute liver injury/acute lung injury/altered mental state.
How is cardiogenic shock treated?
Patients in cardiogenic shock require rapid treatment in order to make sure blood flow to vital organs are restored. Treatments include coronary revascularization, medications, surgery or other procedures such as mechanic support.
Mechanical support devices used at Lovelace Medical Center include percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (such as the Impella 2.5, Impella CP, Impella 5.5, and the Tandem Heart), as well as veno-arterial and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
To speak to our cardiogenic shock team, please call 505-727-7646.