Cardiac Interventional Procedures 

Our cardiologists may recommend a cardiac interventional procedure in order to open up a narrowed artery. The goal of the procedure is to allow adequate blood flow through the body.

At Sentara, we use a number of different procedures to open up narrowed arteries. Your surgeon will use various types of catheters or tiny balloons depending on the exact procedure. Our cardiac team consists of regional and national leaders in cardiac care. You can feel confident that you are in the most skilled and experienced hands.

Use our online tool to assess your risk of heart disease.

Cardiac Interventional Procedures: Services We Provide 

Sentara’s cardiac team will discuss your options with you and choose the approach that leads to the best outcome for you.

Interventional procedures we offer include:

• Intracoronary stent. We insert a tiny metal coil (similar to the spring in a ballpoint pen) into your coronary artery. The stent reinforces the artery wall, preventing it from closing. Learn more about coronary stents.
• Drug-eluting stent (DES). This is a stent coated with medication. The medication decreases cell growth in order to prevent scar tissue forming around the stent.
• Atrial septal defect (ASD). If you have an atrial septal defect, we can repair it in the cath lab instead of performing open-heart surgery. This reduces recovery time to one or two days, compared to a four to six week recovery from open-heart surgery.
• Valvuloplasty. We insert a catheter with a balloon into your heart valve (or valves). We then inflate the balloon, which decreases obstruction in the valve. Learn more about valvuloplasty.
• Aortic valvuloplasty. If you have aortic valve stenosis, a condition in which your aortic valve is deformed and narrowed, we may use this procedure to open the valve.
• Repair patent foramen ovale (PFO). If you have a PFO, a small opening in the atrial septum, we can repair it using an interventional catheterization technique. Learn more about PFO repair.
• Atherectomy (DCA). We insert a small mechanical cutter through a catheter to shave away deposits or plaque from the walls of a blocked artery. This restores the blood flow.

Restenosis Treatment 

Restenosis is when the artery narrows again after the procedure, restricting your blood flow. Keep in mind that restenosis happens to only about one-third of newly opened arteries and usually within the first six months. If it occurs, we may recommend a repeat procedure or intervention