Interventional Cardiology | UCSF Cardiology

Interventional Cardiology is a subspecialty of cardiology in which catheter-based diagnostic tests and treatment are provided for coronary artery disease, valvular disease, structural heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and various other diseases. Interventional cardiologists are specially trained cardiologists who use tiny catheters which are inserted into the arm, leg or neck and are then threaded through arteries or veins to the heart or other regions in the body.

At UCSF, our interventional cardiologists perform diagnostic tests such as coronary angiograms (also called cardiac catheterizations), in which contrast or dye is placed in the coronary arteries and peripheral arteries to identify blockages in the vessels. They also perform other procedures that assist with diagnosing complex disease processes. In addition to the traditional access site in the femoral artery in the groin, UCSF interventional cardiologists are very experienced in using the radial artery approach in the wrist. This approach makes the procedures safer, is less likely to result in bleeding complications, and allows patients to walk immediately after their procedure rather than needing to remain lying down for up to eight hours.

For more news and information about the services we provide, please click on the following links:

In addition to diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease with angioplasty and stenting procedures, the UCSF interventional cardiologists are specially trained in innovative catheter-based methods to treat structural heart diseases and peripheral arterial diseases. They perform percutaneous aortic, mitral and pulmonary valvuloplasty, ethanol ablation, PFO and ASD closure, and peripheral arterial interventions.

The UCSF interventional cardiology labs have state-of-the-art technology and equipment. The high-resolution digital labs are also capable of rotational angiography, minimizing patients exposure to contrast (radiation). In addition, certain complex procedures are performed under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance in a Stereotaxis room, which combines traditional X-ray technology with MRI to facilitate procedures that would otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, to perform.

Our team of experienced interventional cardiologists, fellows, nurses, and technicians are dedicated to providing advanced cardiovascular care to our patients.

UCSF Interventional Cardiology Service:University of California, San Francisco

Academic Office:L523 Long Hospital505 Parnassus AvenueSan Francisco, California 94143-0103(415) 353-3817

Cardiovascular Care and Prevention Center:535 Mission Bay Blvd SouthSan Francisco, CA 94518(415) 353-2873

Physician and Nurse Consultation:To make an appointment with one of our physicians, please call the Clinic at (415) 353-2873.

If you have questions about your upcoming procedure or post-procedural care, please call Cass Sandoval, Nurse Coordinator, at (415) 353-3958

Follow this link:

Interventional Cardiology | UCSF Cardiology