Frecuently Asked Questions section (F.A.Q.'s) |
Who is angioplasty for? |
| When medications or lifestyle changes aren't enough to reduce the symptoms of artery blockages, or if you have a heart attack, worsening chest pain or other limitating discomfort, you may be a candidate for angioplasty. First you'll have an imaging test called a coronary angiography to determine if your blockages can be treated with angioplasty. |
What is a stent? |
| Stents act as a scaffold in the lumen of the artery so it doesn’t collapse. Actually, there are major advances in technology and medications that reduce the incidence of acute and late complications of angioplasty. The decision of choice between a Bare Metal Stent (a stent made of a platform of metal or an alloy of two metals) or drug Eluting Stent (which is the same platform of metal plus a polymer imbedded with an antiproliferative drug) is made taking into account several characteristics of the patient and coronary anatomy. Your Interventional Cardiologist must evaluate each case individually. |
Who performs an angioplasty? |
| Angioplasty is performed by an Interventional Cardiologist (a cardiologist specialized in endovascular procedures) and a team of specialized cardiovascular nurses and technicians, in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. Ideally, an angioplasty will be done only at a medical institution with backup cardiac surgical facilities because of a small risk of complications that could require emergency heart surgery. |
What is the difference between Ad hoc Angioplasty and Scheduled Angioplasty? |
| If you already have a coronary angiography done in a first time catheterization and there is indication for performing an angioplasty, your doctor will program the angioplasty at a certain date and hour. If you are ongoing a coronary angiography and at that time there is a narrowing or blockade suitable for angioplasty, your interventional cardiologist will talk to you and discuss the case along in order to proceed at that time so you don’t have to get a second catheterization later and have your problem solved. |
Does coronary angioplasty replace a Coronary Bypass Surgery? |
| Not necessarily, if the coronary occlusion (s) is (are) suitable to be unblocked by angioplasty, the problem may be solved without surgery, but under certain circumstances inherent to the patient’s coronary anatomy and other several factors, the best choice for revascularization may still be Bypass surgery. In fact, there are some cases that can be solved with approaches: angioplasty and surgery. |
Is Cardiologia Integral a formal professional group? |
Yes, Cardiologia Integral is mainly formed by Dr. Sacchi and Dr. Lugo, however, they are supported by an extensive team of qualified physicians as Certified Clinical Cardiologists, Physicians Certified in Internal Medicine, Intensive Care Physicians, Pediatricians, Anesthesiologists, Certified Cardiovascular Surgeon, Specialized Nurses, etc. |
Is cardiologia Integral an independent group at the Hospital Angeles ciudad Juarez? |
| Yes, Cardiologia Integral is an independent group that carries out professional health care services at the private Hospital Angeles Ciudad Juarez, in a world class fashion. Hospital Angeles Ciudad Juarez accounts for one of the most modern Hospitals in Mexico. |
How can I make an appointment? |
| You can get an appointment by telephone calling from the US as follows: 011 52 656 227 1934 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM mon-fri and from 10:00 am to 2:00 PM on Saturdays. Our Secretary, Ms Mirna speaks English and she will be glad to arrange your appointment. You can also e-mail directly to Ms Mirna clicking here. |
Do I need to take along previous cardiac or non-cardiac tests or diagnostic images? |
| If you have undergone previous diagnostic tests, it is recommended you bring them with you in order to have the most amount of information regarding your health status. |
What do I need to have a coronary angiogram (coronary arteriography) done? |
Usually, a coronary angiogram is recommended because your doctor has enough evidence that indicates there is a problem in your coronary arteries and the procedure’s benefits exceeds the low incidence of risks. So, There are some tests prior undergoing catheterization, such as a positive treadmill test, a coronary multi slice computed tomography showing occlusive coronary disease, a positive stress echocardiogram or other image diagnostic test. Under special circumstances you may not need extensive diagnostic evaluation before catheterization. |
Are there many kinds of pacemakers? |
| Today pacemakers emulates the normal physiologic impulse of the heart beat. If you are a physically active person who enjoys walking, jogging or swimming, you don’t need to worry because pacemakers now have intelligent technology that allows you to respond under physical conditions and demand. The physician will talk to you in order to decide which kind of pacemaker is most appropriate for you. |
Is an echocardiogram an invasive test? |
| No, an echocardiogram is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging ultrasound of the heart. It doesn’t carry risks to the patient and is not uncomfortable to be done. In Cardiología Integral the cardiologist itself does the echo, not a technician. The echocardiogram can be done from newborns to older adults. |
Does the tilt test provoke passing out? |
| The purpose of performing a tilt test is to identify what kind of syncope (fainting) you may have, because from that depends the treatment prescribed. In Cardiología Integral, the cardiologist performs the tilt test and is carefully checking the blood pressure and pulse. |
email us at: website@cardiologia-integral.com |