Cardiac Catheterization Specialist

Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein

Satish Sivasankaran, MD., MRCP(UK)., FACC., MBA.

Cardiologist, Peripheral Vascular, and Vein Specialist located in New Port Richey, FL

More than one million cardiac catheterizations occur in the United States every year, making it the most common cardiac procedure. As a skilled interventional cardiologist, Satish Sivasankaran, MD, MRCP(UK), FACC, MBA, or Dr. Siva, as his patients call him, at Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein in New Port Richey, Florida, has extensive experience diagnosing and repairing a wide range of heart conditions using cardiac catheterization. If you have symptoms suggestive of a heart problem, including chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat, call the office or book an appointment online for a comprehensive evaluation.

727-947-3770

Cardiac Catheterization Q & A

What is cardiac catheterization?

Cardiac catheterization is an interventional procedure to diagnose and treat heart conditions. Dr. Siva of Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein threads a long, thin tube called a catheter through blood vessels to your heart. Once the catheter is in place, he performs a variety of diagnostic tests and therapeutic procedures.

Why might I need cardiac catheterization?

Dr. Siva performs cardiac catheterization when symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat suggest problems with your heart muscles, valves, or coronary arteries.

Conditions commonly requiring with catheterization include cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular disease, and atrial fibrillation.

During cardiac catheterization, Dr. Siva can:

Locate narrowed or blocked coronary arteries
Check the pressure inside the four chambers of your heart
Measure oxygen levels in the four chambers
Assess muscle contractions (pumping function)
Find defects in the valves or muscles
Diagnose congenital defects

Once Dr. Siva diagnoses the cause of your symptoms, he can correct or repair many problems during the same cardiac catheterization procedure.

What procedures might I receive during a cardiac catheterization?

These are a few examples of procedures Dr. Siva frequently performs during cardiac catheterization:

Coronary angiogram

During an angiogram, Dr. Siva injects dye through the catheter. Real-time X-ray images show the dye as it flows through your heart, revealing arterial blockages.

Right heart catheterization

Dr. Siva uses a catheter equipped with sensors to diagnose electrical problems and check the pressure, blood flow, and oxygen levels on the right side of your heart.

Left heart catheterization

A left heart catheterization checks the pressure on the left side, assesses pumping function, and diagnoses leaky valves and coronary artery disease.

Balloon angioplasty with or without stenting

A balloon angioplasty begins by threading the catheter to the blocked or narrowed part of a coronary. At the blockage, Dr. Siva inflates a balloon that pushes the blockage against the arterial wall and restores blood flow. In some cases, he also places a stent in the area to keep the artery open.

If you have questions about heart symptoms or you need a cardiac catheterization, call Sunshine Cardiovascular & Vein, or schedule an appointment online.

We are located in 5340 Gulf Drive, Suite 101, New Port Richey, FL 34652. Call us to book your appointment today.