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INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
The Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas interventional cardiology program is supported by 11 well-equipped labs — four of which are heart and vascular capable , five labs are EP capable , one is used for endovascular cases , and two serve as hybrid rooms . The labs are supported by advanced technology , including digital subtraction , intravascular ultrasound , intracardiac echocardiography and coronary flow wire — equipment that enhances data accuracy and accessibility .
Robotic-assisted coronary angioplasty is an additional technology available to interventional cardiologists on the hospital ’ s medical staff . Robotics improves the precision of stent and balloon placements and reduces radiation exposure during the procedure for physicians . Cardiologists on the medical staffs at both the Dallas and Fort Worth campuses became a part of a small group in the state of Texas to first use robotic-assisted technology to perform coronary angioplasties or place cardiac stents .
PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION ( PCI )
PCI continues to be the favored treatment option for patients with simple and complex ischemic cardiovascular disease . Patients benefit from the experience of the nationally recognized team of interventional cardiologists on the medical staff of Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas . Research and clinical trials on the Dallas campus in the area of ischemic cardiovascular disease are often made available to patients and many results have advanced stent efficacy , as well as other innovations in interventional cardiology .
TRANSRADIAL CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION
Transradial cardiac catheterization is both a safe and effective procedure to diagnose and treat blockages in the heart . Traditionally , cardiac catheterization is performed using a puncture in the leg , but studies have shown that going through the wrist , using the transradial approach , produces the same results with a shorter hospital stay and with less bleeding or discomfort for the patient . At Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas , the transradial approach has been performed since 1996 , and the number of procedures continues to grow year-overyear . In fiscal year 2020 , more than 23 % of the total PCI cases were performed by transradial access .