Coronary Interventional Cardiology and Heart Defects Unit
Quick Facts
Alongside traditional and digital angiography, the most recent procedures for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases are performed in the Unit’s cardiac catheterization laboratories, using the most up-to-date technologies. During the last year 4,126 procedures were performed.
The Monzino Interventional Cardiology Unit can count on three angiography suites (of which one is shared with the Arrhythmia Unit) and 35 beds for elective admissions. The Area’s staff consists of 12 permanently employed cardiologists, 10 nurses dedicated to the angiographic rooms and a nursing coordinator, 5 radiology technicians and 1 radiology technical coordinator, 16 ward nurses and a nursing coordinator, 2 secretaries, as well as numerous trainee and/or visiting doctors.
Diagnostic activities and interventions
In addition to traditional and digital angiography, the latest procedures for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases are performed in the Unit’s cardiac catheterisation laboratories. The most up-to-date technologies, such as computerised quantitative angiography, intravascular ultrasonography and intracoronary Doppler flow measurements, are used.
The medical team of the four operating suites, made up of 11 cardiologists, has extensive experience in the interventional treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The therapeutic modalities for the non-surgical treatment of atherosclerotic disorders of coronary and peripheral vessels, congenital heart diseases in the adult, and acquired pathologies of the heart valves can be summarised as follows:
- Coronary or peripheral angioplasty with stent placement,
- Rotational coronary atherectomy,
- Closure of intracardiac shunts (atrial septal defect, foramen ovale, patent ductus arteriosus) by percutaneous implantation of occlusive devices,
- Obliteration of both thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms and aneurysms of other peripheral arteries (subclavian, iliac, popliteal) by percutaneous endograft implantation,
- Pulmonary and mitral valve repair and percutaneous implantation of prosthetic aortic valves,
- Obliteration of the left atrial appendage for prevention of cardiogenic embolisation in patients with atrial fibrillation,
- Alcoholic ablation of the interventricular septum in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,
- Implantation of caval filter systems for the prevention of pulmonary embolism.
Among these activities, coronary angioplasty in high-risk patients and those who have had an acute myocardial infarction is of particular importance. The interventional cardiologists of the Monzino Cardiology Centre have, in fact, gained recognised experience in the use of cardio-circulatory support techniques, such as aortic counterpulsation and percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass, during percutaneous myocardial revascularization procedures in patients with compromised cardiac function.
The Unit also offers prompt availability of medical, nursing and technical staff, 24 hours a day, for primary coronary angioplasty in patients who arrive at the Monzino Cardiology Centre with an acute myocardial infarction. This intervention is now considered the best means of minimising functional damage to the heart pump and decreasing mortality in patients with heart attacks.