Interventional Cardiology

Some patients may not require surgery, benefiting instead from a combination of medication, diet and lifestyle changes. Others may require coronary angioplasty or placement of intracoronary stents. Alvarado specialists will discuss medical options with you, and encourage your participation in determining your course of treatment.

• Congenital heart problems — such as atrial septal defect, which is associated with migraines and unexplained strokes.
• Transcatheter valve therapies — for the repair or replacement of heart valves.
• Electrophysiology — correction of abnormal heart rhythms through ablation, pacemakers or implantable defibrillators.
• Endovascular procedures — a new branch of cardiology providing treatment for aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease, including carotid, renal artery and peripheral arterial (leg) stents.

• Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
• Coronary stent placement (including drug-eluting stents)
• Cardioverter defibrillator implantation
• Electrophysiology and cardiac ablation therapy
• Pacemaker implantation
• Laser pacemaker lead extraction (more than any other hospital in San Diego)
• Valvuloplasty
• Percutaneous closure of congenital heart defects such as PFOs