Minimally-Invasive Techniques
Saint Joseph Hospital
2900 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60657
773-665-3187
Map
- Balloon Angioplasty - Involves guiding a small catheter with a balloon tip into a clogged artery and inflating the balloon to push against the plaque to open the artery.
- Stent Insertion - Involves placing a small metal coil or mesh tube in a narrowed artery to permanently hold the passageway open for improved blood flow. A stent is then inserted through balloon angioplasty. Saint Joseph Hospital is committed to the implantation of the medicated stent whenever clinically indicated, which provides the most durable long-lasting result.
- AngioJet - Removes a clot from an artery by pulling it up into a catheter, using highly pressurized water that breaks the clot and removes it from the body.
- Rotoblater - A catheter is inserted into an artery to pulverize plaque and re-establish blood flow.
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy - A device is implanted to regulate the rhythm of the heart. Devices include a temporary or permanent pacemaker, an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) and bi-ventricular pacing.
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram - A small transducer is passed through the mouth and down the esophagus to provide views/moving pictures of the heart that measure chamber size, wall thickness, blood flow, valve function and wall motion.
- Cardiac Catheterization - A qualified cardiologist places a catheter through a blood vessel with X-ray guidance to take photos of the heart, arteries and heart chambers. This procedure can also be used to assess and measure heart valves and coronary arteries. Most patients are able to go home the same day if no further intervention is needed. The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and responds within 30 minutes for emergency procedures.
