Interventional Cardiology

Rationale for test/treatment

For investigation of blockages in the coronary artery.

For treatment of blockages in the artery associated with significant narrowing.

Dilatation of valves which have been narrowed.

Dilatation of peripheral vessels that have been narrowed.

FFR is a guide wire-based procedure that can accurately measure pressure and flow through a specific part of the coronary artery, which will be useful in assessing whether or not to perform angioplasty or stenting on "intermediate" blockages.

OCT is a special imaging technique that produces high resolution intracoronary images, which are particularly helpful in guiding angioplasty intervention of coronary arteries, including optimization of stent implantation.

Percutaneous procedure that is used to replace abnormal aortic valve with a bioprosthetic heart valve without the need for open heart surgery.