Interventional cardiology is the specialty of diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessel conditions using non-surgical, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization techniques.

The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is at the cutting edge of interventional cardiology.

Our highly trained interventional cardiologists specialize in catheter-based methods to treat coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, structural heart disease, and adult congenital heart conditions. These highly efficient techniques allow patients to avoid open-heart surgery. Compared with surgery, interventional procedures can be performed through much smaller openings with consequently lower blood loss, faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays.

What is Cardiac Catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure used to detect the presence of heart disease. During this procedure a catheter (long, thin tube) is inserted into the groin or wrist through a small puncture (cut) and advanced to the heart. Dye is injected to identify any blockages in the heart. This is referred to as an angiogram. If a blockage is detected, it can be opened through an angioplasty or stent implantation. In addition, pressure in the heart chambers is measured to check cardiac pump and heart valve function. Cardiac catheterization is a highly efficient technique that minimizes pain and speeds recovery.

Our Services

Our team of renowned interventional cardiologists offers treatments and procedures for:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Treatment of narrowed heart arteries using drug-coated balloon angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, and thrombectomy.  These procedures are made more accurate and durable using additional tools such as OCT, IVUS, and FFR. In addition, there is a team dedicated to the treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTO) which are completely blocked coronary arteries. 

Coronary intervention can be lifesaving in a heart attack and can alleviate chest pain and shortness of breath that is not responding to medical treatment.  In very complex cases, patients can be supported using temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) to allow the doctor to safely complete the procedure.

Heart Valve Replacement or Repair

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), balloon valvuloplasty, minimally invasive repair or replacement of the mitral and tricuspid valves.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) 

Balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy of leg and arm arteries.

Renal Denervation

Minimally invasive modification of the nerves in the kidney arteries to treat elevated blood pressure that is not responding to medical therapy.

Carotid Stenting

Treatment of blockages in the neck arteries supplying the brain to treat and prevent stroke.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Minimally invasive repair using specialized stent “grafts” to prevent further enlargement of the aneurysm.

Atrial Septal Defect and Patent Foramen Ovale

Non-surgical closure of holes in the heart that can cause shortness of breath and increase risk of stroke.

Angina with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (ANOCA)

Chest pain without narrowing of the large heart arteries can be due to poorly functioning “micro-circulation.” This can be diagnosed using specialized instruments during a cardiac catheterization to offer more tailored treatment.